Robert, I think it has to do with a multitude of elements. Like location, quality dealers, high quality rare chips, motivated buyers, serious advertising, time of the year, cost to some degree. To me Nevada is the best location period, all of Nevada not just Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin are all fine with me. Next best location for me would be So. and No. California. Jim Munding had some great shows in California, I was pretty much at every one of them. Quality dealers would be pretty much all the hard-core dealers that setup at our annual convention. We all know who they are.

Motivated buyers are those folks that have the means and the money to buy the better high quality chips. These truly are the folks that make for a good successful show. Of course we need people that are just average folks looking for some chips at a bargain prices that's all good. Most serious collectors are not going to a show, unless they know that there are serious dealers there with some really good merchandise. To me this is one of the most important aspects of a successful show.

Serious advertising is a no brainer, without it your chances of a successful show are diminished. This year's CCA convention was an example of very good advertising. Time of the year is very important. Right now I'm trying to put together a Super Bowl Chip Show, which has been a tradition for the last 30+ years. I have some real high end advanced collectors calling me regarding the status of this show. It's all about the show and the Super Bowl connection. Short of not going to the game in person, Las Vegas is the place to be.

I have been doing this ever since Jim Munding's first Bellflower chip show. As a dealer I certainly don't do this for the money, I typically spend more then I make selling. I truly enjoy the camaraderie and fun we have at these shows. I'm also a very serious collector of rare Nevada casino chips. I have no reservations about supporting a quality chip show in other locations such as Texas, or even Hawaii that would be real fun.