Scenes from the Show … Before The National begins (and more)

The BlowoutCards.com booth — awaiting the National Sports Collectors Convention crowds.

The calm before the storm is here.

On-floor preparation for this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention is nearing its finale as the booths fill up inside the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. What you see here is the view of what will become Booth No. 854, the home of BlowoutCards.com for the show, which begins Wednesday evening and runs through Sunday evening.

But that’s not the only early scene seen so far …

The BlowoutCards.com booth — before the unloading of product.

Just getting to the show is part of the show-going adventure, whether you’re a dealer or a collector and you can see a few highlights (or mishaps) from those heading to Illinois in our just-starting gallery below, which will update through Wednesday. After that, we’ll compile new galleries daily.

Should your travel photo be seen here? Tag @BlowoutBuzz on Twitter and Buzz will add it … if it’s tasteful, err, worthy.

Via @slmsolo … Checked in @ Wrigley Field for the #whitesox vs #cubs game.

Via @yankeefanpa … daddy daughter road trip from PA to #NSCC17 begins now!

Via @checkoutmycards — the obligatory Wrigley visit.

Via @MelRises … My navigator and wing man lol #NSCC17

Via @csbjewlz … FINALLY on the road! @nsccshow here we come! #NSCC17

Via @csbjewlz … So many wind turbines!!! Must me getting close to the Windy City 😉 #NSCC17 @nsccshow Roadtrip!

Via @PristineAuction … Hope to see you all at The National! Come by booth #674 for a free LE T-Shirt & get into our free daily raffle #NSCC17 #PRISTINEauction

Via @slmsolo … Wrigley is gorgeous!! Go Cubs

Via @dalsubfan … Cubs At Wrigley with son. Should be well done by 3rd inning #broiler

Via @cardgrader … Clothes are packed. Now each loupe gets packed into their own little suitcases. #NSCC17

Via @Another__Castle … Making progress on the #laundry… Realizing I have too many #hobby t-shirts #NSCC17 here I come 🙂

From @TalesfromtheAFL … Leaving for #NSCC17 tonight. Wonder what I will come home with to put in here? #AFL #cardgeek #chargershistory

Via @JaspysHobbyland … @TenBuckBreaks is off to a hot start at #NSCC17! @Topps Tier One Bat Barrel Auto of Roberto Alomar!

Via @BossHardy202: Just stopped at @tpsportscardsOH and ripped a few packs. Plus, got an Archibald card to get signed!! #Clutch #NSCC17

Via @HuntAuctions … Visit us at the @nsccshow this weekend!

The BlowoutCards.com booth — get your trolls here

Via @georgenadeau .. Stop by @Cryptozoic table in GTS Distribution Breaker’s Lounge at #NSCC17 in Chicago July 26-30

Via @RbiCru7 … Just a gathering of some old and new friends at @GiordanosPizza in Chicago. @nsccshow starts tomorrow. #nscc17

Via @checkoutmycards — the home of the show

Via @TalesfromtheAFL … About to get my geek on #NSCC17

Via @SpartyHawkCache … Arriving into Chicago via Kansas City to attend our 1st @nsccshow! Hello #ChiTown! #NSCC17

Via @csbjewlz … Always the first stop! @GiordanosPizza is a MUST – mmmmmm pizza! 😍🍕🍻 #NSCC17

Via @TRISTAR1 … It’s finally here! It’s not too late to purchase your tickets to the #TRISTARAutographPavilion at @nsccshow.

Via @blowoutcards … Visiting the @nsccshow tweet a pic of yourself at our booth 854 with our banner and you may win prizes!

Via @PristineAuction … If you’re at The National in Chicago this week, be sure to stop by booth #674 and say hi. Grab a free limited edition T-Shirt! #NSCC17

Via @Topps … Setting up @nsccshow. Stop by the Topps booth 870! #NSCC17

Via @autographcard … We’re booth #1042, under the “Aisle 1000” sign. Stop by and say hello! #NSCC17

Via @nsccshow … @Topps #VIP party is in less than a 1 hour get down here to meet @JoseCanseco @RonDuguay10 and Nate Archibald #NSCC17

Via @yanxchick … Next to the @Topps booth, @stevenwalden is creating 3D art. Can’t wait to see the finale. #NSCC17

Via @SpartyHawkCache … Ahhhh …. ahhhh … the Mother of all Card, Collectibles & Memorabilia Conventions – @nsccshow! T-minus 1HR until @Topps VIP Party! #NSCC17

Via @csbjewlz … Kicking off the 2017 @nsccshow with the @Topps VIP Party – still almost an hour away & already a crowd! #NSCC17

Via @SportsCardShows … Crowd gathering for the Topps VIP party. #NSCC17

Via @blowoutcards … @jrcx662 golden ticket!! Get yours with case purchase booth 854 #NSCC17

Via @ShawnnBittorie … Let the fun begin!! #nscc17

Via @PSAcard … ‘Member that time it was super easy to earn a free trading card at the PSA booth during #nscc17 @nsccshow …

Via @Number5TypeCard … First hit of the show, 1933 Goudey Boy Scouts #1: “A Scout Is Courteous” #NSCC17

Via @csbjewlz … The line for the @JoseCanseco auto at the @nsccshow @Topps VIP Party is insane!!! #NSCC17

Via @yanxchick … Kicking off the @nsccshow with the #Topps VIP Party. #NSCC17

Via @cardgrader … During a rare trip to the bathroom, I scored new Victor Starffin cards for the collection. Now its back to grading. #NSCC17

Via @RbiCru7 … 1st pick up of the #nscc17 is thanks to @TCarpenter94 today. We will be wheeling and dealing at booths 261/263/360/362 all week long!

Via @KelSchroy75 … The @Topps crew giving away some prizes @nsccshow VIP reception #NSCC17

Via @csbjewlz … @JoseCanseco has arrived to sign at the @nsccshow @Topps VIP Party! #NSCC17

Via @BurbankCards Getting started quickly in Chicago #nscc17 #burbank #cards

Via @SportSecurities … #NSCC17 just got Canseco to sign a ball!

Via @Topps … Starting to line up for the box redemption program. Starts at 4 pm. #NSCC17

Via @SteinerAuctions … If you’re at #NSCC17, don’t forget to visit us at Booth 682. We brought some of our best items from our Mid-Summer Classic auction with us!

Via @SteinerAuctions … If you’re at #NSCC17, don’t forget to visit us at Booth 682. We brought some of our best items from our Mid-Summer Classic auction with us!

Via @PristineAuction … First National giveaway tonight at 7pm. #DevinBooker signed jersey with JSA Witness COA. Come by booth #674 to enter for free! #nscc17

Via @basecardhero … Overwhelming for sure and it isn’t even in full swing. 😲 #NSCC17

Via @Onyx_Authentic … Ready for the 2017 Platinum Elite release tomorrow? #NSCC17

Via @PaniniAmerica … It’s time, Chicago. #NSCC17 #WhoDoYouCollect

Via @topps … Wrapper redemption is 💥 … Jeter auto 1/1 #NSCC17

Via @justpamg … Box wars !! @PaniniAmerica good luck!!! #NSCC17

Via @paniniamerica … The first box war of the weekend is underway! 2017 Certified Football. Let’s Go. #NSCC17 #WhoDoYouCollect

Via @SCUncensored … This is pretty cool – buy a case @blowoutcards and get a golden ticket pack. Could have a VIP party ticket inside.

Via @PaniniAmerica … The first Box Wars winner scored a #NSCC17 Black Box Devin Booker 1-of-1! #WhoDoYouCollect

Via @UpperDeckSports … Lines suck at the National Convention! Open Upper Deck product in comfort in our Breaker Lounge at the #NSCC17!

Via @SpartyHawkCache … Some new ink for our PC @RonDuguay10, @JoseCanseco & “Tiny” Archibald! Mission accomplished in Phase I autograph redemption! #NSCC17

Via @PaniniAmerica … Wrapper redemption line is 🔥🔥!#NSCC17

Via @PaniniAmerica … This would be the back of the line! Everyone wants those silver packs. #NSCC17

Via @Lelandsdotcom … Come down and see all the great stuff on display!! Paying cash and taking consignment

Via @PaniniAmerica Not to be outdone, the redemption trade-up line is also hopping. #NSCC17

Via @Lelandsdotcom … Come check out this incredibly rare Jackie Robinson cap on display and available in our next auction! Only at Lelands!

Via @Lelandsdotcom … Have you seen a nicer set of cards?

Via @king47sooners … Topps redemption for Bowman Chrome 4 card packs. @Topps #NSCC17

Via @PaniniAmerica … Plenty of sweet @PaniniAuthentic items available, including some filthy gamers like this one! #NSCC17

Via @PaniniAmerica … Two Box Wars, two Black Box winners pulling 1-of-1 goodness. This time a little Carson Wentz patch action! #NSCC17 #WhoDoYouCollect

Via @paniniamerica … Silver packs: Before and after. #nscc17 #whodoyoucollect

Via @nsccshow … nsccshow@heritage_auctions is completely set up at the 38th @nsccshow and it is amazing the vintage items on display. Come by and say hello! . .”nscc17 #hertageauctions #vintagememorabilia #appraisals #consignments #thehobby

Via @nsccshow … nsccshow#nscc17 #Repost @ripandlist @brie_2025 getting an Autograph from @tinyarchibald at the @topps VIP Party at the @nsccshow. #Collect #TheHobby #Celtics

Via @nsccshow … At the @topps VIP party prior to the @nsccshow opening to the public at 4pm today! Nathan Hales @n8h_12 and his dad Scott won a 2016 World Series Rawlings logo baseball signed by former @cubs pitcher, Aroldis Chapman @cubanmissle54 authenticated by @fanaticsauthentic. Pictured here with Dan Berkus, NSCC show manager and @Chicago sports media legend, Chet Coppock! Thanks #topps and our special co-host Chet Coppock @chet430 for another great Topps VIP reception! .

Via @PSAcard … Starting tomorrow, head over to the PSA booth, “Check In” on our Facebook event , and we’ll hand you a card while supplies last.

Via @PristineAuction … Congrats to our first winner! Tons of more giveaways to come! Be sure to stop by and see us. Booth #674. #nscc17

Via @Topps … Just hit in the FREE case break at the @nsccshow Main Stage. Wow! #NSCC17

Via @CRyden33 … Dude you guys, you guys… the @Topps redemption packs at #NSCC17 are off the hook, pulled a meh auto but these are the prettiest cards ever

Via @FansAuthentic … 2017 @nsccshow is under way❗️ @Fanatics corporate booth is located at Booth No. 664‼️ #ByFansForFans #OfficiallyLicensedEverything #NSCC17

Via @FansAuthentic 🏒✔️ 🏈✔️ ⚾️✔️ 🏀✔️ #OfficiallyLicensedEverything @Fanatics | #NSCC17

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Want even more? Click here to see all of our past pieces previously revealing nuggets of news for the show and keep up with newer stories tagged NSCC by clicking here.

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Future sites
Oh, and where is the show in future years? Here’s a rundown so you can make plans for your next adventure.
2018: Cleveland
2019: Chicago

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

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