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Baltimore Whitman show to Washington, DC?
Russell12
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I heard a rumor at a coin show today that in 2027 the Whitman Expos will more to DC. Anyone hear this?
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Based on what, after Maryland bent over backwards to give the show a special sales tax exemption? Because anyone who stays away from Baltimore due to security concerns is going to spend the extra money to go to DC, given how much safer, more beautiful, and more accessible it is for people coming from the Northeast?
Anything is always possible. But, if it was true, why would Whitman be leaking rumors rather than posting official notices and giving people time to plan?
Ill wait for the official notice 😉
DC is not safer and the immediate vicinity of the convention center doesn't have so great of hotels
dc hotels are height limited as no building can be taller than the washington monument, so there's room limitations.
there's no way I'd get on the metro with a roller of coins
FYI, They are one of the longtime dealers at every Baltimore show.
It would seem like the recipe for a quick death to the show.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Flier from the summer FUN from a Whitman representative. There were several rumors as to why. One made some sense but since I did not confirm it with Whitman, I will pass on possibly spreading a rumor.here.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hYCRaWPlTIE Sophie Lloyd, guitar shred cover of Panama (Van Halen)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dOV1VrDuUm4 Ted Nugent, Hibernation, Live 1976
RLJ 1958 - 2023
book the marriott now
Seems like this might be a new location but not a replacement for the Baltimore shows since the schedule for 2026 is as follows:
2026 Spring Expo: March 5–7,
2026 Summer Expo: June 11–13,
2026 Fall Expo: November 12–14,
He did say after the November show
Yes but with the DC show 30 days ahead of this year's Baltimore show it leads me to believe there will be 2 "Spring" shows
Doubtful, too close timewise.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Moving an established show is always a huge risk. I have not been to a Baltimore show in years because of the security concerns.
Baltimore is mostly safe, but you still have to be heads up.
dc not as much. this is in the neighborhood of the mint hq. it is a business area and shouldn't be unsafe like other parts of dc. I'd want to be dropped off at the convention center in a cab instead of walking any coins on the street.
Guess we will have to wait for their website to update to 2027 shows.
Yeah. If they run a show in DC in February, you can rest assured they won't be running another one in Baltimore in March.
That flyer @lilolme posted is oddly specific, and the Whitman website has no dates for Baltimore beyond this November. For now, I'm a believer.
Whether February is a one-off, or the show's new home is a huge TBD. But, for now, I wouldn't be making plans for a trip to Baltimore next March, unless you want to hit the Aquarium or Phillips.
Gee, I miss ONE year and THIS happens?!! Seriously though, I'm much less likely to head to DC if the Baltimore show goes away. I suppose I'll be limited to the small local show in Gettysburg, and check to see if anything comes to Philadelphia...
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I would be ok with it, we've been staying at MGM National Harbor anyway, family loves the casino, the baltimore casino continues to decline. We switched couple years ago(after staying there during a pcgs invitational, I myself might spend a 100 bucks(big spender) the other family members more. I usually get up early and drive up to show Via BaltWashPRKWY, about 1hr, return via I95, if afternoon 95 is better. If this is the case, instead of parking down at convention center, I may just take a cab and get dropped off right at show, safer and easier.
I will mention, I really never had much of an issue with Baltimore Convention center, as long as you stay right at the center on Pratt, usually pretty safe, wonder a block away better be cautious! I have heard several dealers are no longer coming due to safety concerns. Also there working on that skyplatform right where I park in deck, so its a longer walk last time in summer. Like I mention, since we stay at MGM we usually ride to arlington via car to eat dinner and such, but last year, when we stayed at baltimore and walked down past harbor the mall and cheesecake factory area, seemed to be a lot more thuggish thru there then, than it used to be.
Yes, this is FACT.
We are doing a ONE-OFF in the DC convention center next February due to lack of availability in Baltimore in February or March. Baltimore has been a great home to Expo for decades, but the hotels are a real challenge, and the DC Convention center is BEAUTIFUL with plenty of hotel rooms within 1-2 blocks. We made this decision with a LOT of consideration, but frankly we had few options. It is the challenge of show operators to negotiate with convention centers that consider us tiny (by usage standards).
I think it's going to be a great show, and really exciting. There's so much to do in Washington and I think it's going to be a fun event to attend.
While our first city choice for Whitman Expo remains Baltimore, we have to look around at the same time. We are looking at all options for Whitman Expo going forward and dealer/visitor feedback will be crucial.
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
Not averse to DC as well. Better, direct, and cheaper flights for me. Also have a few family members in the area so I could possibly pass it off as a family vacation
Appreciate your response. Unfortunately, Baltimore continues to drop the ball and I understand why your team made this decision.
I believe this will become a permanent move. Best wishes for a great show and I am sorry to see you go!
Should act as a good test run for future permanent consideration. Best of luck to all involved.
Love it! Nothing beats flying into Reagan and hopping right on the metro. Tons to do in DC! Can’t wait!
not with a roller full of coins!
there are some michelin starred restaurants in the area. not sure convention dealers will have the time to hit museums.
If the metro safety bothers you, you should probably avoid all public transit in the US.
Per Fox5 DC:
Crime on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system is at its lowest level in 25 years, according to recent transit data. The serious crime rate has fallen to roughly 2 to 3 incidents per million trips, representing a major drop in both bus and rail incidents.
I’m sure @jmlanzaf can crunch the numbers but rough math seems to indicate you are more likely to be involved in a serious car accident driving into town from the airport than a victim of a serious crime on the metro.
Will be fun for a change of pace!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
any of those crime surveys occur during the time of a coin show?
anyway, a cost-benefit analysis will be performed
Can you take the DC Metro to the DC Expo from the train station in DC?
yes
union station is a disgrace now. drug dealers and drug users plus the homeless
however, it is still being used. so there's that
Hysterical how subtle that was considering you left out the reflecting pool.
I was at an event in the Washington Convention Center and on the last day, I had some time to kill before my train home. I walked a few blocks south (toward the Mall) and encountered the National Portrait Gallery. I didn’t expect to like it as I’m not normally a fan of such museums. But….
Absolutely fabulous museum! Historic and beautifully-restored building. And as a numismatic extra, there was a section devoted to Indian Peace Medals worn by various Indian chiefs.
I live an hour from the Baltimore convention center and about 20 minutes from DC convention center.
While I’ve got my Baltimore routine down pat and can often be slow to embrace change, I don’t think it will hurt the show one bit.
I get all the dealers and regulars have their Baltimore spots that they love frequenting……but DC honestly has a lot more to offer in terms of fine dining and nightlife.
Locally, I know of several other Northern Virginians who’d be much more likely to attend a show in DC than Baltimore due to traffic. That one hour trip to Baltimore can turn into 3 miserable hours at the drop of a hat.
Car accidents are usually measured per million miles traveled (1.35 pretty million miles). Quick research shows the average distance of a car trip is 10 miles. That means 1.35 accidents per 100,000 car trips or 13.5 per million. So, there is a 5x higher rate of car accidents, but many of those are minor.
The incidence of fatalities is 4 per BILLION miles traveled. So the incidence of a fatal car accident is roughly 50x LOWER than being in a serious crime incident on the Metro.
All data is from the National Transportation Safety Board. I could not find data for "serious" accidents, but it would be somewhere between those numbers.
I'm not sure how any of that helps. Lol
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
After reading this post I realized how good the PAN Show is! I only hope the PAN continues to grow.
I lived DC for 5 years and 2 months and was only robbed at gunpoint once. Seriously though, I found DC to be more safe than the neighboring B'more and equal to Beantown and Chicago, each of which I lived in for quite a time. My robbery took place south of Maine Ave in about the worst neighborhood in DC at that time. Now it is a baseball park and gentrified. DC is like any city, there are cautions you have to take, but certainly as safe as any US major city.................. And the metro is 100% safe, when it runs (lots of downtime now as it is in need of overdue repairs).
Why? Easy in and out. From Reagan, the Orange and Blue metro lines take you right in where you can connect with the other lines and get anywhere, including to the convention center. I went to a week long convention there a few years back and it was perfectly safe at night, great restaurants, etc. etc. Besides Rosemont and Schaumburg, likely best place for a coin show.
I took the Metro 100s of times when I lived in DC. Never saw a single crime in the metro or in the stations. Roamed all over DC at nights, including Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Downtown for Caps games etc., the Mall, etc. Never saw a single crime except for the one noted above south of Maine Ave. Great city to have a convention as noted.
What is the sales tax situation for selling collectibles in DC at shows?
I suppose if you're flying... but even then... from BWI the light rail takes you right to the Convention Center at the Charles St. stop! If you need to stay at a hotel, the Marriott or Hilton are either across the street or even attached to the Convention Center. As far as things to do... certainly, DC has more... we can't compete with the Smithsonian, but there are still plenty of options for museums and world class dining... Little Italy is a fairly short walk or a quick Uber.
I like Baltimore... mea culpa... because it's my "local show". I got used to driving into work (I used to work at UMB-SOM), parking in my usual garage, and then walking to the Convention Center (about 10 min) at noon on Thursdays and taking a "leisurely lunch" while looking at coins... I'd be back for my afternoon meetings.
...sigh...
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Interesting. Thanks for the quick feedback and confirmation.
But, please correct me if I am wrong -- don't you guys usually tie up convention space years in advance? If so, what happened here with this? Because, in the past, you would publish dates on your website at least a year in advance.
Also, is there any chance you would ever consider returning to Philly? I understand that the unions there are a total PITA to deal with, but Philly is probably the single best place for a coin show along the entire East Coast, from Savannah to Boston. Thanks!!
Baltimore didn't "drop the ball" here. They basically kicked Whitman to the curb. If anything, Whitman dropped the ball, with its recent corporate transaction and all, by not locking in Baltimore sooner.
Whitman has been there how many years in a row now, three times a year, and yet they couldn't give them a slot in February or March. It will only "become a permanent move" if it does well, which is why it is a one-off for now.
The Baltimore convention center agency ("Visit Baltimore") is going to do what's in their best interest. We use 1-2 halls max, and if they are able to fill the whole center with a single event, they do it. Can't really blame them, and that's the reality we inherited with the show. However, we see lemonade from lemons. We'll try DC, and maybe some others (Philly, for sure an option, as are other places.) I like the general vicinity of I-95 in this region -- it's my home after all.
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
working on a definitive answer for you. I think it's ~5.75%
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
we love PAN as well. Great people -- great show.
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
Yeah. It wasn't meant to be a dis on DC. Just an obvious statement that it's really no better than Baltimore,a t least with respect to the things people complain about with Baltimore. But now that @JohnF has weighed in, we know exactly why.
You do, of course, realize that any tax at all is going to be a deal breaker for many, don't you? Isn't that why you fought so hard for your Baltimore exemption?
In fact, I'm sorry to say, your show is going to be DOA if your dealers are going to be expected to collect sales tax on all transactions. What other national or large regional show is successful without a sales tax exemption?
This I understand. What I don't understand is what changed for Baltimore from every single year in as far back as I can remember?
They host you 3 times per year. You are loyal and return, year after year after year. Three times. The dates are typically published years in advance. Did they cancel dates on you, or did you not lock them in on your usual schedule?
Dealers and collectors basically need to be careful what they wish for. The Baltimore Show in Winter and Fall have been well attended. Most dealers seem to do well. Summer seems to be not as popular… not sure if it is that Baltimore heat and humidity and getting motivated to deal with it. Instead of changing Baltimore, how about reducing the shows in Baltimore to two shows with the third rotating between DC and Philadelphia? This would keep the I-95 corridor in play. And perhaps the timing could be adjusted somewhat to avoid the worst of the heat- possibly Early February followed by the third week in May and either the third week in October or first or second week of November?
I think there is risk in leaving Baltimore completely, but it might be worth a shot to add DC and Philly into the rotation.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Nice that you are taking the high road. Respect.
I still feel Baltimore is not treating a historically loyal customer properly and the writing is on the wall that the move to DC will be permanent.
Philly is great. There was never an issue with Philly, other than what is now confronting Whitman with Baltimore. It is a huge convention town, and Whitman is a tiny convention.
So it's hard to make the numbers work for Whitman. And then, the unions are HUGE PITA to deal with in Philly. They add costs that the dealers hate, hate, hate. If Whitman can work these things out, Philly would be a gazillion times more successful for everyone than Baltimore ever was.
As for DC, I'm waiting to see how people react to a 5.75% sales tax on all transactions. Is it going to be cash only, with the taxing authorities looking the other way? Because I'm pretty sure retail is going to otherwise balk at the surcharge.
Which will kill the show, unless dealers are willing to make the trip, a month after FUN, just to do a day of dealer to dealer transactions before going home. Which will still kill the show aside from the dealer day. Really not much of a show then, no?
John, your replies have basically agreed with the info/rumors at summer FUN. But there was one other part that I am curious about. Starting with this past (2026) February and March shows the Long Beach (Stacks) then ANA and then Whitman Baltimore were back to back weeks. This due to Stacks jumping in late with the LB show the week before ANA. This is probably not an ideal layout to maximize show attendance.
For 2027 the first week of March is the ANA and the second week is the Stacks LB. Again back to back weeks. Whitman has the Stacks auction association with its show. It was stated that Stacks requested that the Whitman show be moved (in time or on the calendar and not location-wise) so that it did not 'compete' with their Stacks LB show date (example not the following week or similar).
So was wondering, if you can share, how much if any of the above two items played into Whitman trying to get a convention show date?
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hYCRaWPlTIE Sophie Lloyd, guitar shred cover of Panama (Van Halen)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dOV1VrDuUm4 Ted Nugent, Hibernation, Live 1976
RLJ 1958 - 2023