Reading the Room—and Recognizing the Advantages You Have
I attended my first National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, Illinois, this past weekend, dodging, ducking, dipping and diving my way from one dealer table to the next for 17 hours over three days.
This was a surreal experience.
I collected basketball cards as a kid and got back into the hobby two years ago after cleaning out my mom’s basement before she moved. I’ve been to a few card shows since then, but nothing like this. The sheer volume of dealers, collectors, corporate sponsors, athletes and influencers was overwhelming, which was why I needed three days to see and experience all the things (and track down as many 80s Jordans and Kobe rookies as possible).
Over the course of the weekend, I overheard a lot of people talking about the lengths they went to in order to attend this event. Flights. Hotels. Food. Ubers. One guy drove 11 hours from Pennsylvania…and presumably drove 11 hours back.
Me? I didn’t have to worry about any of that, mainly because I live 20 minutes from the venue. No flights, no hotels, no Ubers, no concession stands. I packed lunch every day and brought bottled water to stay hydrated.
People go to The National for different reasons, but the main reason is to buy cards—and a lot of attendees, maybe even most, were down at least a grand before they walked in the door.
If Hamilton teaches us the importance of being in the room where it happens, The National teaches the importance of recognizing the advantages you have once you’re actually in there.
I don’t just mean the opportunity to negotiate deals. Or not having to worry about purchases getting lost in the mail. I mean tangible, meaningful, no-fluff advantages you have over others.
Subject matter expertise. Strategic vision and the ability to execute. Unique life experiences (and the lessons and perspectives that come with them).
I don’t care what room you’re in or who’s in it. You have more advantages than you think. Lean into them.
And if you know anyone looking to sell a 1985 Michael Jordan Interlake, please reach out. I’d love to make an offer.
Tony Meale is a Chicago-based author, ghostwriter, speaker, and coach. He can be reached here.