Is there a convention for collectors?

[BaconWise]

Howdy All,

As I am new to the UC community and to the collecting world in general, I wanted to ask about conventions. Are there any conventions where you can meet designers and shoot the sh*t with other collectors? I did some research and I saw something for the 52 Plus Joker Convention. Would this be what I am looking for or is that just mainly a trading event or for cardistry/magic? Thanks for any details!

[Räpylätassu]

52+ Joker convention is the only one I know about.

Should we have our own annual meet up for us UC members? Not a convention, just some large place we rent for a few days to hang out, maybe come up with something organized to do but nothing massive. Anyone here that thinks it would be fun?

[BaconWise]

Perhaps a DOTY reveal celebration/soiree? TGW and The Lady Wake can emcee. We can have Mike and Amy as keynote speakers. Designer spotlight Q&A. Maybe laser tag.

EDIT: That sounds impossible, in reality. Too many members spread out across the globe! But it does sound fun

[STLBluesNut]

It does sound fun. In lieu of a recently posted video, we could have a deck chucking contest. Whoever gets it in the box with the fastest velocity wins the box of decks. They cannot take them home though. They have to be shipped to you in an oversized box with no padding.

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[theCapraAegagrus]

It does sound fun. In lieu of a recently posted video, we could have a deck chucking contest. Whoever gets it in the box with the fastest velocity wins the box of decks. They cannot take them home though. They have to be shipped to you in an oversized box with no padding.

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Copyright infringement.

[ChumpofSpades]

I've been to a couple 52+Joker conventions and had a blast each time. You can see everything from world class antique decks to the most current and newest releases. Spent WAY more than I expected to. It generally is in Oct and this year the city is Charlotte.

[Mike Ratledge]

There's no reason we can't meet as an adjunct to the 52+Joker convention in Charlotte NC in October.

We had in informal get together in 2014 when it was in Charleston and I remember a semi defined event at least one other time the prior year (also during the 52+Joker convention).

[PipChick]

Perhaps a DOTY reveal celebration/soiree? TGW and The Lady Wake can emcee. We can have Mike and Amy as keynote speakers. Designer spotlight Q&A. Maybe laser tag.

EDIT: That sounds impossible, in reality. Too many members spread out across the globe! But it does sound fun

I'd only come for the lazer tag...

The International Playing Card Society (IPCS) also organizes an annual weekend convention that usually takes place sometime in autumn (around end of September) and every year is held in another location either in Europe or America. Last year, I attended for the first time ever because it was held in Leinfelden-Echterdingen (a small city just outside of Stuttgart) which was/is relatively close to the city I live in (only about a 2 hour train ride) so I couldn't really justify not going. Also, it just so happen to be during the opening weekend of the city's biggest festival/Oktoberfest ("Cannstatter Volksfest", which I think I read somewhere is like the second largest festival in Germany) AND Stuttgart was also celebrating the 200 year anniversary of the festival so the entire city was PACKED. Truth be told I probably spent, cumulatively, more time there that weekend, partying it up lol. Here's a survival guide vid from 2 years ago just to get an idea of what it's all about lol - It was a total blast!

As for the actual IPCS convention, well, it was def an experience... All in all, I did met some really nice internet peeps IRL (mostly from the IPCS FB group) and the best part was most def the dinner on Saturday night in which we all really were able to just shoot the shit in talking about everything and nothing playing card-related and have a good time together. (Also, lots and lots of wine def played a factor lmao ) I will say though that the group is much different than I suspect that of the 52+J Convention as most have a focus on antique and vintage decks and I'm not sure they would be all too interested in the community we've cultivated here at UC or our DOTYs...

Anyways, the organizers had announced during the club's meeting that the next convention is going to be held in Catania, Italy (waaaaay South in Sicily) - I've never been to there before, but, being that I love to travel and will literally take ANY excuse to do so, I admit that I've been looking into it A LOT since last year to possibly plan out a trip and fit in to stop by at the convention. Financially, it's still pretty expensive to arrange flights, hotels, and such; but I'm gunna try to either find a friend that'll wanna go with to split the costs or try to work out a more economical option (maybe hitchhiking and couchsurfing... lol) Supposedly, the weather is really great at that time of the year (unlike being on the surface of the sun when in Southern Italy during summer lol) and the city looks absolutely breathtaking - plus, there's an active volcano close by (Mount Etna) that tourists can book excursions to go hiking in/around the area so that I'd be REALLY interested in doing. So, if I'm able to scrap the money together by September, I'll likely go as the location alone is appealing enough for me to wanna take the trip and really, the main motivation to want to attend the convention again next year also, I'm hoping to maybe make a less awkward impression the second time around... I think I'll need more wine though lol

But in all honesty, being that I'm in Europe, making trips here is much more manageable for me than taking the 8+ hour flight to the States (and, I'm sure vice versa for all y'all as well)... I do visit the States every few months though (at least once a year), but October is difficult with my work schedule If I hadn't already had been there for several weeks last summer for my brother's wedding, it would've been the best opportunity to go since Cleveland is also relatively close to where I stay in the Chicagoland area when I do fly in for a visit and I could've easily road-tripped it there. Maybe in the future I'll be able to manage it, but unfortunately, I can't foresee being able to go to the 52+J Con this upcoming year...


maybe I should just start a GoFundMe to make it happen...

[BaconWise]

That's a great idea to meet up at an established event like the 52 Plus Joker Convention. I will have to keep an eye on their future locations. They need to come over to Seattle or Portland, then it's only a three hour drive

[Romeril]

Who's all going to Charlotte this year? I think I'm going to go!

[macstrat]

Who's all going to Charlotte this year? I think I'm going to go!

Currently I am planning on going, really depends on what happens with work events.

[TheGentlemanWake]

I’m hoping to make the trip to Charlotte with Lady Wake.


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[theCapraAegagrus]

Members should write their usernames on a "Hi, My Name Is..." sticker.

[PrincessTrouble]

Who's all going to Charlotte this year? I think I'm going to go!

I'm planning to.

[CBJ]

I'll be there again. My 3rd year!