Is the Front Row Card Show the best card show in the Southwest USA?
June 25, 2024
From Pasadena in May to Phoenix in June, and onto Las Vegas in July 2024
In this 3-part blog series, I’ll share my journey through the Front Row Card Shows. I’ll start with my experience as a collector at the Pasadena show in May 2024, then shift to the perspective as a vendor at the Phoenix show in June, and finally, the Las Vegas show in July 2024. Through these perspectives, we’ll explore what makes each event unique and what they offer to both collectors and vendors.
Upcoming Event: Bitcoin Trading Cards Booth in Las Vegas
Don’t miss the Bitcoin Trading Cards booth at the Front Row Card Show in Las Vegas on July 13 and 14! Join us for an exciting event where you can meet our team and connect with fellow enthusiasts. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Bitcoin Trading Cards and share the excitement with like-minded collectors.
Part 1: Experience as an Attendee
The Arrival
Arriving at the conference in Pasadena was a breeze. It was a pleasant Saturday morning drive from West LA, with easy parking and a line that wrapped around the corner of the convention center.
While waiting in line, I turned around and made a new friend. We spent the time showing off the cards we brought to the show, and the line moved quickly as everyone shuffled inside to the vendors. My friend, who had traveled from Las Vegas to sell some newly graded cards, and I kept running into each other throughout the event, checking in on one another, and making the experience even more enjoyable.
Exploring The Show
The show was expansive, featuring approximately ten rows packed with a diverse array of vendors and displays. The atmosphere was energetic and vibrant, with a palpable buzz of excitement in the air. Attendees ranged from young collectors eager to discover their next treasure to seasoned enthusiasts sharing stories of rare finds.
Families, individual collectors, and hobbyists mingled, creating a lively and welcoming environment that truly showcased the passion and community spirit of the trading card world. The event was a testament to the enduring appeal of trading cards, bringing together people of all ages and interests in a celebration of their shared hobby.
With hundreds of vendors offering a wide variety of collectibles — from vintage trading cards to handmade baseball glove wallets — there was something for everyone. Some of the standout booths featured rare memorabilia displays, drawing crowds eager to catch a glimpse of these prized possessions.
Several booths offered interactive experiences, such as card grading demonstrations and live pack openings, providing both entertainment and education for attendees. These engaging activities added an extra layer of excitement, making the event not only a marketplace but also an immersive and educational experience for collectors of all ages.
A few booth highlights stood out during the event. Vendors specializing in sealed wax packs offered everything from the latest NBA releases featuring Wemby to 2020 NFL Panini Prizm, enticing collectors looking to add unopened treasures to their collections or chase their favorite player’s rookie card. Unique TCG (Trading Card Game) vendors showcased a variety of niche and popular card games, such as Pokemon and One Piece, including exclusive and hard-to-find collectibles, attracting both seasoned players and curious newcomers like me.
Buyers and dealers were a significant presence, providing decent liquidity for cards and creating a dynamic marketplace atmosphere. These interactions allowed for immediate sales and trades, adding an exciting, transactional element to the show.
The event also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing attendees to meet and connect with fellow collectors and industry professionals, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for The Hobby.
One of the highlights of my experience was getting the chance to “Talk to the Doc.” As a long-time follower of The Slab Dr., I was thrilled to meet him in person. The Slab Dr. is renowned in the trading card community for his expertise in card care and grading. His booth was not only informative but also engaging, with live demonstrations on card care and prep for grading.
This encounter was a perfect blend of learning and fan appreciation, as he generously shared his knowledge and passion for the hobby.
Whether it was chatting with my young and motivated friends at Y’ Ai Kea Collectibles, engaging with a knowledgeable comic seller, admiring the serious sports memorabilia collectors touting their Game-Used Anthony Edwards jerseys, or getting insights from The Slab Dr., I had a blast talking about cards and collectibles all day long.
What Else Could I Ask For? A Booth!
As we’ll explore in the follow-up blogs (Parts 2 and 3), having a booth was crucial to the success of the show — especially for getting feedback on a new, unique trading card project like Bitcoin Trading Cards. Displaying the cards and educating attendees in an organized manner made a significant difference.
Thanks to our beloved packstacker, Bitcoin Brandon, we had that opportunity in Phoenix and will soon again have it in Las Vegas! Keep an eye out for Part Two, detailing Brandon’s experience at the Front Row Card Show in Phoenix — coming soon!
