National Sports Collectors Convention

Arby's and The National present three exciting promotions

Arby's and the National have created three exciting promotions for the 29th National. First, Arby's is offering a money-saving coupon good at Chicagoland Arby's locations which you can print out and use on your next visit to Arby's. Next, Arby's invites you to become a member of the Arby's Thank You Club. Joining makes you eligible to receive great offers from Arby's every month. Finally, Arby's is giving you a chance to meet Super Bowl III MVP and Football Hall of Famer Joe Namath at the National Sports Collectors Convention. Click here for details on all these great offers.

VIP Gifts to include card issues made exclusively for the 29th National

Attendees purchasing a week-long VIP Package will be treated not only to admission to all five days of the National but the VIP Gifts are a special treat. Included in the gifts for 2008 are retro cards from Topps and eTopps made exclusively for the 29th National VIP Program. The eTopps cards in the style of Allen & Ginter cards are a tribute to Yankee Stadium's final year and will include Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Don Larsen & Yogi Berra, Johnny Unitas and Mickey Mantle. The Topps set is in the style of 1958 Topps and includes a pre-Rookie card of Bob Gibson, yellow team variations of Ernie Banks, Ted Wiliams and Mickey Mantle plus a special Mantle Home Run King. Details on these and other VIP card issues and benefits to becoming a 29th National VIP can be found by clicking here.

29th National Tickets Now Available

Tickets for the 29th National Sports Collectors Convention, July 30-August 3 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont are now on sale through this web site. Once again this year you can purchase your tickets and immediately print them on your home or office computer.

Several admission options are available including the very popular 5-day VIP packages. Single day general admission tickets, good any one day of the show are also available. Details on all ticket options are posted on the ticketing web page. Click here to buy your 29th National tickets now.

Kids Free All Week!!

Courtesy NFLRUSH.com

For the first time ever, all youngsters 12 and under will be admitted free of charge every day of the National. Through the cooperation of NFLRUSH.com (the official Kids web site of the National Football League) we are pleased to announce this great new program to bring more kids into the world of sports collecting.

“The NFL recognizes the importance of marketing trading card collecting to young people,” said Richard Seidlitz, NFL’s Director of Licensing. “We are excited about the prospect of exposing NFLRUSH.com and trading cards to the children who attend this year’s convention.”

NFLRUSH.com is the official kids website of the National Football League. The site offers an NFL experience solely for kids, with unique customizable content, games, contests, fun daily features on NFL players, fitness tips and information on the NFL’s Youth Football programs. The NFLRUSH ZONE, a role playing game on NFLRUSH.com, was launched in December 2007. The NFLRUSH ZONE (NFLRZ) is an immersive virtual world where kids are able to create avatars, play games, chat, watch cartoons and compete with friends all in safe and fun environment. NFLRUSH.com, which is targeted to kids 6-15, provides an environment where kids can share their interest in their NFL and delivers the NFL experience they want to have -- as a fan or player or both.

NFL Players supports Kids Free at 29th National

with Free Signers for Kids

NFL Players will support Kids Free All Week by providing two NFL Players who will sign autographs free of charge to all children, 12 and under at the 29^th National Sports Collectors Convention. This year’s National takes place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, July 30- August 3, 2008.

“NFL PLAYERS is excited to be a part of this great event that introduces kids to the hobby of collecting,” said Karen Bush, Assistant Vice President of Trading Cards & Collectibles for NFL PLAYERS. “This new initiative combined with the opportunity to meet NFL athletes is sure to make this year’s event a memorable one for card collecting enthusiasts of all ages.”

The names of these NFL Players and the days & times that they will be signing will be announced shortly. Stay tuned!

Autograph Tickets now on Sale

Tristar Productions has announced that Autograph Tickets for guests appearing the the 29th National Sports Collectors Convention are now on sale through the Tristar web site. The schedule for guest appearances has also been announced. Tickets will be available through Tristar's web site at http://www.tristarproductions.com/National/tickets.html

The popular Platinum VIP Ticket which includes 5 day admission, gifts, autographs and other benefits is now available exclusively on the Tristar site. Click here to find out more about the Platinum VIP Package.

Trader Retreat/Sports Card Forum to run "Road Show to the National"

The popular collectors sites Trader Retreat and Sports Card Forum will be running a great "Road Trip to the National" promotion this year. They will be renting 1-2 RVs and will start with a few people at two locations to be determined and then add other collectors along the way. SCF and sponsors will pay for transportation to the show and a hotel room for the duration of the show (3 nights). For complete details on this promotion visit them at http://www.traderretreat.com/forum/ or sportscardforum.com.

Tristar announces first group of Autograph Guests for Chicago National

Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg to sign

Tristar Productions, host of the 29th National Autograph

Pavilion has announced the initial group of guests scheduled to appear at the Chicago National, July 30-August 2, 2008 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The guest list includes a large number of Hall of Fame guests as well as signers with a Chicago connection.

Headlining the event will be Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. Joining Ryno will be 4-time NL Batting Champ Bill Madlock. Also appearing from the world of baseball will be the most recent member of the 3000 Hit Club and future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio who will be joined by Hall of Famers Lou Brock and Stan Musial. Former Chicago Blackhawk NHL Hall of Famer Bobby Hull will be on hand to sign for his many fans.

From the NFL attendees will be thrilled to see old friend Buddy Ryan, architect of that great Bears defense from the 1985 Super Bowl Championship. Other NFL Hall of Famers appearing include Jim Brown, Paul Hornung, Y A Tittle, Randy White and Jackie Slater. Former Packer great Jerry Kramer will sign as well as several members of the Cowboy's Doomsday Defense including Jethro Pugh. George Andrie and Bob Lilly.

For a complete list of athletes or to register to receive updates on other guests appearing at the 29th National, please click here to visit Tristar Productions web site.