This is a fun time of year. Its the only time when all the collectors of the world descend on a space to show that the hobby is still relevant to a few thousand people. I have been to a few of the NSCCs over the years, and they are definitely a blast. If you havent been, its definitely a pilgrimage that everyone should make. Its amazing to see all the top dealers and related entities in one spot, and the giveaways are a huge focus too. This is a time where we see people drop the money they save all year, and some even a bit more than that. The floor is huge, the tables have some amazing stuff we could only dream of, and the companies come in guns blazing.

For many of these giveaways, the purpose is clear – move all that product at the show that no one can sell without free packs attached. Well, at least for Panini that’s what its about. If you have seen the way some of the recent products have been selling, well…. a giveaway is more necessary than ever it seems.

Here are some of the giveaways from the show:

2016 Bowman Chrome NSCC Promo Kyle Schwarber Auto Red Prism

2016 Panini National Convention Shaquille Oneal HOF Auto

2016 Panini National Convention Laquon Treadwell Auto RC

2016 Upper Deck NSCC Dylan Larkin Auto /10

Topps, Upper Deck, and Leaf all have a big presence at the show too, and it looks like Panini VIP party will again take money out of products and put it into a ridiculous show for people who obviously have nothing better to do with their money.

I actually like the Panini national set this year, as I think they usually do a really good job designing the base and the rookie cards that are used in the set. The autographs are almost non-existent this year from what I hear, which is really disappointing to see. The content of the Panini packs have been going more and more down hill by the year, and 2016 looks to be nothing but the same. Of course, only Panini would continue using the stupid manupatch crap in these packs, so I guess downhill trajectory is par for the course.

Topps’ Ginter die cut packs last year were a huge hit, and it looks like the Bowman set they chose to run this year is really cool too. Although their set isnt as big a deal as Panini, it should be mentioned that because of their printing and production process there is a lot less they need to move. Topps prints to order in a lot of cases, where as Panini’s enormous commitments to the league put them in a much different bucket. They love to close out product, and it shows in a situation like Father’s Day, Black Friday or the NSCC.

Upper Deck looks poised to have a huge close to the year, especially if Ben Simmons pans out the way everyone expects he will. From what their signage at the show is looking like, they are making a big push to get back in with the NBA, something that would make collectors throw a parade down the aisles of the NSCC.

Overall, this year’s show isnt the norm. Its in a place that is insanely difficult to get to, much more expensive to stay at, and delivering products that seem to be heading in the wrong direction. That might change by next year, and I hope it does, because the NSCC is a fun place to be. These types of giveaways arent really the main reason why that is the case, but it is still fun to see what comes out of the show’s main floor.