JEFF GARRETT: OKLAHOMA CITY GAMBLE PAYS OFF

 

To everyone's surprise, board members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) decided about four years ago to conduct the 2025 World's Fair of Money in Oklahoma City. The decision shocked many dealers who were accustomed to the organization choosing larger metropolitan areas. Post-COVID, the board was given fewer options, and there had been a serious case of Rosemont, Illinois fatigue.

Oklahoma City had recently constructed a new convention center and hotel complex, and the city's various amenities, including being home to APMEX (one of the largest rare coin dealerships in the world) seemed appealing. After much consideration, the board bravely chose to try something new.

There was immediate criticism from nearly every corner of the hobby. Dealers complained about the flight options, size of the city, remoteness of the location and a host of other issues. The contracts for the location had been signed, however, and the decision was final – the ANA was going to Oklahoma City in 2025. Members of the board have been nervous for the last few years awaiting the outcome of the event.

The first sign that the convention would be a success happened a couple of weeks ago when the bourse sold out. The ANA sold almost 500 tables to dealers from every corner of the United States and the rest of the world. A few dealers were left scrambling at the last minute trying to grab space at other dealers' tables to conduct business.

The ANA World's Fair of Money is also important for the many events, meetings and hosted dinners that occur over the course of the week. On Monday night, we attended an opening reception hosted by APMEX at the National Hotel. The hotel is a converted bank that was built in 1931 and has one of the most magnificent lobbies we have ever seen. The downstairs vault space has become an imaginative bar space, with traces of its glorious past, including circa 1931 safe deposit boxes.

 

The first indication that retail buyers made the trek in large numbers could be seen at the ribbon-cutting event Tuesday morning. The lobby was buzzing with excitement, and collectors filled the hall waiting to be let in. At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, the doors opened and collectors from around the world flooded into the hall. Dealers heard the loudspeaker announcing that it was time to man your tables.

From the start of retail business on Tuesday morning until we were removing coins from our cases on Saturday, people were buying coins in numbers seldom seen. Visitors had not only come to Oklahoma City to attend the show; they were there to buy coins. Every dealer I have talked to told me they had one of their best shows in years, if not ever. Interestingly, even dealers in the world and ancient sections reported similar results.

The decision to choose Oklahoma City for the 2025 ANA World's Fair of Money now seemed like a great idea. Contrary to the concerns of many, attendees seemed excited to see a new part of the country. Oklahoma City is a beautiful city, with spacious parks and several interesting downtown districts that have recently been renovated.

In the end, Oklahoma City may have been a risky choice for the ANA, but the event did not disappoint anyone in attendance. I heard more than a few dealers wondering when the ANA will choose to come back!

To read the complete article, see:
Jeff Garrett: Gamble Pays Off for World's Fair of Money (https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/14417/)

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