What would cause/enable more of you to attend the PCGS gatherings in Vegas?

coinguy1 · June 16, 2004 12:54AM

I just returned from the latest PCGS event in Las Vegas and was disappointed that only a very small group of dealers and non-dealers attended. We did a good amount of business there, but, due to the low attendance, it wasn't as much fun as the previous one.

I realize that many cannot travel on week days but wonder what other factors accounted for the low turnout?

These events are really nice and PCGS does a great job. In addition to being treated to some very good meals, participants are able to attend classes/talks by David Hall and have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss various coin topics with immediate and very helpful feedback from David. Additionally, it's a great opportunity to be able to chat with a small group of dealers who aren't as busy as they are at regular "shows".

Perhaps with some feedback from you folks, things could be changed so that more of you could attend - no promises (I'm not in a position to do that) but it can't hurt to try.

tradedollarnut · June 16, 2004 1:03AM

Publish the schedule way out in advance so vacation plans can be made? 6-9 month advance notice is a good thought.

Guarantee each collector an upgrade?

numonebuyer · June 16, 2004 1:22AM

Make it an annual thing and host it in the same place with a good package deal.

Russ · June 16, 2004 1:22AM

<< <i>What would cause/enable more of you to attend the PCGS gatherings in Vegas? >>

Coinguy1 picking up the tab.

Russ, NCNE

jacktheknife · June 16, 2004 1:40AM

Ditto what TDN posted. An advance schedule would help. I love to go to Vegas. With enough notice, I could combine my annual golf trip with a PCGS event.

DeepCoin · June 16, 2004 1:43AM

The scheduling in advance or setting a regular weekend, i.e. the 2nd weekend in June (or other date) so that people can plan. I know I am not the target audience, but I will be in Vegas the end of next month, travelling on a free Southwest ticket and I would have liked to at least heard David's presentation.

Also, if you could have it at the same hotel, that would also help provided that it was an acceptable midrange (not the Bellagio) price. Something like Bally's.

The more we can plan and the better we know the situation, the higher the attendance, particularly folks who have to travel far.

foodude · June 16, 2004 1:45AM

Publish the schedule way out in advance so vacation plans can be made? 6-9 month advance notice is a good thought.

Ditto TDN's comments. I wanted to go (haven't been to Vegas since seeing the Rolling Stones in Feb. '03), but had too many other commitments whihc I could not plan around.

beartracks42 · June 16, 2004 1:47AM

Vegas is a long way to go for those of us who live in the Eastern part of the country and are somewhat "small peanuts" collectors. I agree with TDN that it could be worked into a vacation for some.

Don't tell my wife I said that.

Lakesammman · June 16, 2004 1:55AM

I would have gone but it was a PCGS invitational and I didn't get invited.

Compa · June 16, 2004 2:43AM

More advance notice would be be best idea.

And some idea of which/how many dealers will be there ... and their specialties

JrGMan2004 · June 16, 2004 2:53AM

Well Mark, if you're willing to pick up the tab, I'm willing to go!

IrishMike · June 16, 2004 2:55AM

It's called a marketing plan. If they want collectors there they should already know how to get them there.

mercurynut · June 16, 2004 3:14AM

Living in the Northeast it isn't feaasble to take on the costs of going to Vegas.

TAP444 · June 16, 2004 4:22AM

I agree with what most have said, the more notice the better, especially
for those of us on the eastcoast, or maybe arrange one in Atlantic city, but the
advance notice is probable the big thing, I know a lot of people have to plan vacation
at least 6 months in advance if not longer, so I think that may be the biggest obstacle
Tim Poston

dpoole · June 16, 2004 4:58AM

I'd go if it were on a weekend, even an extended weekend. For those of us not on a salary, taking off during the week means the expense of the trip plus loss of income. Gets pretty expensive. Can't buy as many coins that way.

babboonbobo2 · June 16, 2004 6:04AM

More notice, I have been going twice a year for the last 3 years. (don't gamble just like it there) I had just came back when I got the notice so couldn't go back in a such short time frame.

foodude · June 16, 2004 6:16AM

I'd go if it were on a weekend,

I agree with Dpoole to, although I know from several trips to Vegas, the weeknds are really busy/booked, and more expensive.

DRG · June 16, 2004 6:18AM

I do not really have an answer to how to make it more attended but I will say this;

It was great to meet with Mr. Hall and have one on one time to chat about the hobby and hear his ideas about where things are goind. It was an incredibly worthwhile 2 days and I am sure to attend again.

That said, it is fairly easy for me as it took me all of 20 minutes to get to from my front door ( I live in Las Vegas).

CoinHusker · June 16, 2004 6:52AM

Even though I am a registry member I didn't get an invite. But even with one, I don't think I would have attended. Sometimes I feel as George Gobel once said, "You ever get the feeling that the world is a tuxedo and you are a pair of brown shoes?".

I know it's not intended but sometimes I get the feeling that I'm not really in the "club" yet and it wouldn't be much fun to travel that distance and be a wall flower for a couple of days.

Bear · June 16, 2004 7:32AM

MONEY!!!!

coinguy1 · June 16, 2004 7:58AM

Thanks for the replies folks. I have linked the thread and forwarded it to a couple of people at PCGS/CU.

cosmicdebris · June 16, 2004 8:09AM

Money. If I paid for the trip I would not have anything left to buy coins with.

RGL · June 16, 2004 10:26AM

Agreed ... good advance notice and nice (but not wallet busting) site ... the Rio would be a great and affordable site!

roadrunner · June 16, 2004 10:55AM

In over 30 years in the hobby I've been invited to one PNG day and zero everything else. Seems like that's part of the problem.

roadrunner

Android · June 17, 2004 5:24AM

<< <i>I would have gone but it was a PCGS invitational and I didn't get invited. >>

I have always thought that you had to be invited to one of these, or NGC's version of it. I didn't know the public could attend. I would certainly attend if no invitation is required.

SportsModerator2 · June 17, 2004 8:47AM

Hello Everyone.

I just want to say that it was fun seeing all the people who did attend this last invitational and I hope to see even more of you at the next.
I wanted to take this opportunity to clear up some of the issues raised here.
We set this years schedule last November and it is up on our website on the SHOWS page on the website. To see the list for the whole year, click on the SEARCH button.
The next invitationals are being held September 27th - 29th and November 22nd -24th.

As a PCGS Set Registry participant you are invited to attend these invatational's. As the dates for the invitational approaches, you should be receiving an invitation through the mail. If you are not receiving this invitation, please call our customer service department to verify we have you're correct address. Once you do receive the invitation, we ask that you RSVP in a timely manner as we need to make up badges and be prepared for catering.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

Carol

FrattLaw · June 17, 2004 10:01AM

Hey how about free PCGS Invitational Sample Slabs ----

Then for sure I'll go!

(I can't believe Cammie didn't already post that one)

Michael

Bear · June 17, 2004 10:44AM

What say we get an upgrade of our choice for attending? Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

ElectricEye · June 17, 2004 1:12PM

1. An invite
2. A bullet train between OC and LV

foodude · June 17, 2004 8:32PM

Good point Carol, I forgot the schedule was posted somewhere.

wondercoin · June 18, 2004 12:22AM

Being a Political Science major, I tend to look at this situation differently. It appears attendance was Ok but not "gangbusters". That can also translate to the fact that collectors and dealers, overall, are VERY SATISIFIED with the current situation at PCGS. No major complaints to DH necessary - of course everyone would like to see turnaround times reduced, but, we also know PCGS is already working on that situation.

I personally couldn't attend this event, because I was very busy selling PCGS coins - as busy as ever in fact. It was nice to know the event was a huge success and my personal lack of attendance merely demonstrates the current STRENGTH of the PCGS market. So, what would cause me to personally attend the next PCGS gathering in Las Vegas - I guess PCGS coins not "flying out the door" at the same velocity (or bringing one back to S. CA)

Wondercoin

Android · June 18, 2004 1:22AM

<< <i>As a PCGS Set Registry participant you are invited to attend these invatational's. >>

Ah...Now I understand. I don't have a PCGS registry set. Oh well. I can see most of the same dealers I work with at the major national shows anyway.

SethChandler · June 18, 2004 1:49AM

Could someone pls provide a description of this show and what makes it different that ANA,FUN,LB, etc. And the only qualifications to score an invite are you must have a PCGS registry set? Must it be a finest known set?

Seth

coinguy1 · June 18, 2004 2:15AM

Seth,

"Show" is almost a misnomer. There were approximately 10 dealers and perhaps half a dozen non-dealers in attendance at various times. It was a very casual, quiet/subdued event, with the dealers submitting coins to PCGS (and getting them back over a 2 or 3 day period) and doing a bit of business amongst themselves.

David Hall gave two different "talks", which, unfortunately, were very sparsely attended. The good news is that the few attendees had him virtually to themselves.

The previous Vegas event had a noticeably better turnout, in terms of both dealers and non-dealers.

Regarding your questions about qualifications for receiving an invitation - from Carol's post above:

<< <i>As a PCGS Set Registry participant you are invited to attend these invatational's >>

Justhavingfun · June 18, 2004 4:55AM

TradeDollarNut has the right idea. A schedule published well in advance would be the single best encouragement to me. And maybe even an invitation. Heck, I had no idea that I could go to one of these.

Just Having Fun

clackamas · June 18, 2004 12:06PM

Ditton TDN - Need more advance notice. I want to go to one of these I just need to know farther ahead of time.

lava · June 18, 2004 3:31PM

I am surprised no one has said AN AUCTION!!! Floor stuff is hit or miss, but an auction at least is something one can look forward to with a little certainty. With more players trying to enter the auction market, someone should be willing to step up to be the only game in town for the Vegas auction biz.

Stuart's pix from the last show suggest there just isn't much too choose from.

On a related note, if the show caters to the bigger dealers, why do us collectors need to support that? Any dealer worth a crap would have its inventory online.

cosmicdebris · June 18, 2004 9:39PM

You guys tend to favor the Left Coast too much. How about planning one for the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut?

MrEureka · June 19, 2004 3:37PM

I'd rather see PCGS hold these "shows" in Beverly Hills on the Saturday and Sunday before each Long Beach show.

mozeppa · June 19, 2004 6:49PM

free flights!

What would cause/enable more of you to attend the PCGS gatherings in Vegas?

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