IMEX Show Report

Clio

So this might be fairly short but I will give y'all an idea of how the show went.

2 hour drive for me. Friend of mine drove in with me and we parked in the parking deck below the convention center. Easy access not too much fuss. Went upstairs and got to the door. They had some speakers for the opening ceremony while we all waited in line. I could really care less about what they were saying. I'm just there for the coins. The line was pretty long to get in and when I got to the front I was told I didn't get my ID card verified so I needed to do that and get back in line. This was an ongoing issue as there's 0 way to know that was the process. No signage and no one patrolling the line to give you that information. Instead of getting back in the massive line I cut to the front after getting my registration verified since it was clear everyone in that line was also confused and hadn't done so yet. I get in the doors at 10:15 and the show floor is pretty quiet considering those waiting in line still to get in.

If you run a show, making check in easier is the easiest way to improve attendee experience. I've had other shows miss on this and just don't get it.

My main goal for the show is to do some on site grading so I beeline to the PCGS booth and the submitter desks are full with just 2 people in front of me. So not a bad wait. I sub my coins without a hitch and hit the bourse floor. The show has right at about 110 dealers. There's a lot of big names there. There's ample spacing between the aisles and it seems a nice venue. There's show WIFI as well which is worth while for some. I start at one in and check every table from start to finish and after all is said and done it's about 1pm. That's the point where I generally go and double up on tables that piqued my interest.

Along the way I counted the tables with just as much non-US or more non-US inventory along the way and I count 3. Might have missed one or two but it's clear this show is predominately US and it's not close. Along with this there are 0 dealers from outside the US.

I bought nothing for me. I usually buy very little since I have a pretty slim scope to my collection. I had fun visiting and saying high to friends but had the show not been so close to me I doubt I would go back. I hope that next year's roster attracts more attention in the future or I feel the show would be a bit of a miss for me unless I happen to have coins to show grade again.

that's it. If y'all have questions feel free to ask.

bidask

Any nice world coins on the floor ?

UpGrayedd

Thanks for the report. Several others on the US Coin Forum reported similar problems with check in among other issues.

MrEureka

Those green curtains seem like they would make it very difficult for the security team to monitor the bourse. Strange, especially considering the Colonel's special interest in security issues. Or am I missing something?

Clio

@bidask said:
Any nice world coins on the floor ?

Nothing of interest for me. There was a an interesting display of counterfeit 8 cap n ray reales and a 1893 5 sov in PCGS PR66DCAM. Which is a common coin in an exceptional grade. Still cool to see.

@MrEureka said:
Those green curtains seem like they would make it very difficult for the security team to monitor the bourse. Strange, especially considering the Colonel's special interest in security issues. Or am I missing something?

Seems they had some security patrolling around the room? Not sure if there were some other precautions I was unaware of.