Are there "numismatic cheap seats" at large shows?

Longacre

When a dealer buys table space at a large show, does he have any say in where his table gets located? I assume that the tables near the entrance get more traffic (and potentially more sales), while the tables tucked way in the back (the numismatic cheap seats, or the bleacher seats, for the Yankee fans in the house) don't get as much traffic. Are there different prices for tables at a big show, depending on their location? If not, what influence does a major dealer have on the location of its table? For example, if the 800 pound gorilla of numismatics, Heritage, threatened not to buy table space unless it got a prime location, what power would a promoter have to refuse to comply with Heritage's wishes?

larrynj

i ran a national show or two many years ago, and i would give the 800 lb gorillas free table space, and a good location near the entrance. dealers who were repeat customers also received special treatment. many would ask for specific placement and i would accomodate them as best i could. tables were assigned on a first come-first served basis, some would reserve at the conclusion of the show for the next year. the idea was to keep the dealers happy.

BillJones

The ANA used to offer cheap tables to dealers who agreed to offer items that sold for no more than a certain amount. I think that the limit was $200 per item. I know if they do that any more or not. Today you can't buy much of interest for $200 in the U.S. series. Those tables were out of the prime action areas of the bourse.

The ANA has a system of awarding spaces based on "points". The points are earned by doing services for the ANA and making contributions. To me it looks like bribery, and I think the system sucks.

Many promoters who run medium sized shows or who aspire to have a national show would give their eye teeth to get Heritage to come to their show. For that reason, I have no doubt that Heritage would get special treatment if they took a table at some smaller shows. I also image that given their resources, Heritage would be willing to pay a premium for a prime spot.

ziggy29

I presume the "cheap seats" would be the wannabe section?

dbldie55

The ANA still has the budget area, which I am sure has reduced rates.

poptopsRus

The ANA has a couple different sections and you pick your table based on the section you want to pay for and the amount of stars you have. The budget section is cheaper and you cannot display coins worth over $1000 (just raised from $500).
Other shows like Long Beach have a few different sections, the further you get back in the room the cheaper the tables.

WTCG

Longacre,

The price of the bourse fee determines the location of the table at some of the larger shows. The Long Beach and Santa Clara shows are divided into several zones. Zone A is the most expensive area but is centrally located and near the entrance. The tables of zone B are slightly away from the center and farther back, and etc. I believe a similar policy is true for the Baltimore shows as well.

The ANA shows have a "budget section" towards the back of the bourse room where tables are much cheaper than the regulars. The ANA also runs on a "star" stystem, where the dealer or company with the most stars gets first pick during the table draw.

The ANA has a contract stipulation where it requires dealers to stay until the last day of the show. Heritage and several of the larger companies paid some hefty fines (five figures) a few years ago for breaking this rule.