A great conversation popped up recently in the CardSota Facebook group about what it really takes to launch a new card show. The thread inspired me to put together a guide for anyone considering taking that leap. Minnesota’s card show scene is thriving – weekends are packed with events. But that also means the bar is higher than ever for launching a show that stands out and earns long‑term support. Whether you’re planning your first event or refining an existing one, here are some key things to consider.
1. Be Strategic About Timing
In my opinion, one of the biggest mistakes new promoters make is scheduling a show on a day that’s already crowded. In Minnesota, Saturdays are packed—yet Sundays remain surprisingly underutilized compared to other states. Since launching Cardsconsin, I’ve noticed a huge contrast between our two states. In Wisconsin, Sundays are loaded with shows. This weekend alone, there are five. That’s typical.
Another important piece of timing strategy: don’t schedule your entire year too far in advance. Many of the large, established shows pick their dates whenever they want to. As a smaller or newer show, there’s nothing you can do about that—it’s just the reality of the hobby. If you’ve already locked in all your dates for the year and a major show suddenly lands on the same day, your attendance can take a major hit. Staying nimble with your scheduling gives you the flexibility to avoid those collisions and protect your turnout. A well‑chosen date can be the difference between a packed room and a quiet one.
2. Choose a Location That Works for Everyone
A good venue isn’t just about square footage. It’s about convenience.
- Parking matters. If customers have to circle for 20 minutes, they may not come back.
- Room to grow matters. A show that caps out too early can’t build momentum.
- Food matters. Onsite concessions or nearby options keep people in the building longer.
Collectors talk. If your venue is easy, comfortable, and accessible, word spreads fast.
3. Don’t Charge an Admission Fee (Unless It Truly Makes Sense)
This is a big one, especially in Minnesota. While admission fees are more common in other states—including Wisconsin—charging customers just to walk into a typical card show is a turnoff. It creates friction before they even see a table. For most local shows, it’s simply a bad look.
There are exceptions: convention centers, large expo halls, or multi‑day events where the cost structure is different. In those cases, customers expect a fee. But for a standard community‑center, gym, VFW, or shop‑run show, free admission is the norm here. It’s part of what keeps the Minnesota hobby accessible and many dealers see it as a barrier to their sales as well. If you want strong foot traffic, don’t put a paywall at the door.
4. Consider a Niche Show to Stand Out
The hobby is crowded. General card shows are everywhere. One of the smartest ways to differentiate is to specialize. A great local example: Great Lakes Trading Cards’ Women Athlete Trading Card Expo, held for the first time in November. Spencer McCaffrey, one of the organizers, shared that they created the show because their shop intentionally carries a strong selection of women’s sports cards—and they wanted to give young girls and niche collectors a place where their interests were front and center.
The result?
- 15 vendors
- Steady traffic all day
- Collectors from multiple states asking how to start similar shows
In the hobby, we often judge a show by table count. But if you have 15 tables and all 15 are laser‑focused on a niche, then 100% of your attendees are walking into a room built exactly for them. That’s powerful.
5. Secure Dealer Commitments Before You Announce Anything
This one is huge. If you launch a show without confirmed dealers—especially on a date that competes with established events—you’re setting yourself up for a rough start. Dealers follow customers, and customers follow dealers. If people show up expecting 50 tables and find 10, that’s a reputation hit that’s hard to recover from. Before you go public, lock in a core group of reliable, well‑known dealers. They give your show credibility from day one.
6. Take Care of Your Dealers (It Pays Off)
Small gestures go a long way. Dealers often can’t leave their tables to grab food or drinks. Shows that recognize this stand out. The TruPlayerz show in Rosemount is a great example—they provide free lunch to their dealers. Not every venue has a concession stand, but even something simple like ordering pizza makes a big difference. Happy dealers come back. And returning dealers build stability.
7. Grow Intentionally—Not Rapidly
This might sound counterintuitive, but bigger isn’t always better. I’ve seen shows have a fantastic first event—busy, energetic, full of momentum—only to expand by 50% the next time and fall flat. Why? Because many of those new dealers were customers at the previous show. When they move behind the table, they’re no longer walking the floor buying, trading, and creating activity. I’m also not a fan when a show has 40 tables one month, 75 the next and 45 the month after that. It’s perfectly fine to cap your show at a certain size and start a waiting list. Controlled growth keeps the energy high and the experience consistent.
8. Don’t Tolerate Habitual No‑Shows
Empty tables hurt the look and energy of a show. Life happens, but if a dealer repeatedly fails to show up, it’s perfectly reasonable — and necessary — to move on from them. Multiple empty tables clustered together make the floor feel thin, even when attendance is strong. As a customer it makes me wonder if maybe the dealer decided the show isn’t that great, so they just bailed. A simple waiting list can save the day when someone backs out last‑minute.
9. Protect Yourself and Your Dealers from Scams
Scams targeting card shows are popping up nationwide. One of the most common: scammers impersonate the promoter and collect fake table payments from dealers. Dealers think they’ve paid, only to later learn the money never reached the show. The best defense is clarity — clearly communicate exactly how payments are accepted and the only official ways to contact the promoter. Consistency and transparency go a long way in keeping everyone safe.
10. Don’t Allow Dealers to Resell Tables
This one can be controversial, but hear me out. Allowing dealers to resell tables opens the door wide open to scams and creates unnecessary risk. Even if you’ve already been paid, a dealer getting scammed for a table that doesn’t exist still reflects poorly on your show whether it’s fair or not. Table flipping also drives up dealer overhead, which can trickle down to customers. Most importantly, it reduces your control over who represents your show — and your reputation is everything.
11. Create a Professional Looking Flyer
A sharp, well‑designed flyer goes a long way in making your show look legitimate. Thanks to modern AI tools, creating a clean, professional flyer now takes minutes instead of hours. Make sure your flyer includes the essentials: date and time, full location (including the state), an accurate estimate of table count, table cost, and the official ways to contact the promoter for reservations.
The location piece is especially important — flyers get shared in national and regional Facebook groups, and nothing derails interest faster than people asking, “What state is this in?” Also, consider designing your flyer in portrait orientation. Portrait flyers display better on phones and social platforms, and they tend to stand out more in crowded feeds.
Final Thoughts
Starting a new show is exciting, but it’s also a responsibility. The best promoters think long‑term: building community, supporting dealers, and creating an experience collectors want to return to month after month. Minnesota’s hobby is strong—and there’s room for more great shows. With thoughtful planning and a focus on quality over quantity, your event can become one of them.