The first Premier Collectible Conference & Exhibition (PCCE) was held in Rosemont, Illinois this past April with the hope of improving the industry. Helmed by caring industry pros, PCCE was developed by Auction Report’s Ryan Friedman and Mastro Auctions’ Doug Allen with the goal to bring respected industry sources and serious collectors together in a professional environment to discuss the current state of collecting. They hope to address collecting topics, challenges, educate, and discuss trends in the market that is mutually beneficial to all within the world of collecting.

Professionals in the collectibles industry applauded the conference and its intentions, agreeing with its creators that the event was a good experience. J.P. Cohen of Memory Lane said, “From a pure aesthetics standpoint, you knew you were experiencing the collectibles industry on a whole new level…It had the look and feel of a first class event not just for me as an exhibitor but also for the collectors who attended.”

Over 50 of the industry’s top companies exhibited at the event showcasing some high end memorabilia. The collaboration of sellers and collectors was beneficial as noted by Bill McAvoy of McAvoy Sportscards, “The result was amazing. We conducted more business at this show than at any other I can ever remember.” Friedman noted that all exhibitors were satisfied with the results and also said that for future shows the emphasis will remain on the quality of items shown and sold, particularly as the industry continues to familiarize the concept of PCCE.

In addition to good sales, exhibitors and attendees were able to interact with one another on an educational level through panel discussions. Brian Drent of Mile High Card Company said, “It was one of the first opportunities I had ever seen where the participants and attendees of a collectibles conference were given the opportunity to actually sit down and learn something from each other.”