SPORTS MEMORABILIA

Andy Madec isn't afraid of computers.

One need only glance at his Web site (www.amsportscard.com) to realize the Camarillo, Calif. resident knows his way around the Internet and understands the value of on-line business dealings. Considering his sports memorabilia company did more than $1 million in sales last year and he's achieved some notoriety within the collectibles industry, Madec easily could conduct transactions from the comfort of his own office and never have to set foot outside the Golden State.

But he does -- frequently, in fact. Madec averages more than a dozen out-of-state trips each year. His next one will bring him to Schaumburg, site of this weekend's 10th annual SportsFest.

Why does he do it? Packing enough materials to sustain a three-day show stay, then having to book a flight and travel halfway across the country would seem like a huge hassle.

But that's not how Madec sees it.

"I love it, actually," he said. "It's not that I have to do it; I'm fortunate enough to be able to do it. The big shows are still really good and I'm a bit of a show warrior."

Madec is not alone. Large events such as SportsFest and the National Sports Collectors Convention continue to attract trading card and memorabilia dealers from across the country.

Another frequenter of Midwest shows is Rich Gove. The Texas-based dealer has winnowed his 2007 travel schedule down to nine stops, a steep drop from the 31 he made just nine years ago. However, one-third of his planned appearances will be in Chicago.

"For a lot of dealers, Chicago is the hub of the collecting world," Gove said in a recent interview with a trade publication. He described area hobbyists as "very savvy and very knowledgeable."

Not everyone is forced to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to do a show, or requires a big-time venue in order to be enticed.

Steve Dickerson, who owns "Rookies Sports Cards And More" in Griffith, concentrates on local events, averaging between three and five per month. Having been in the business for only about nine months, Dickerson sticks close to home primarily for fiscal reasons.

"Since the fees are pretty reasonable, I can usually make my money back on the table," he said.

Dickerson also considers show appearances an economical form of advertising for his store. When preparing for on-site events, he makes sure to pack business cards along with the sports cards in an effort to try and create consumer awareness.

In Dickerson's opinion, all locals shows are not created equal. He prefers those held at a hall or other self-contained public facility to ones in a shopping mall.

"Those are a little bit tougher," he said. "You get more traffic, but you're usually there longer. When I did my first mall show, the guys around me were so great. They kept an eye on my stuff whenever I had to leave."

One thing Dickerson has in common with the Andy Madecs and Rich Goves of the collecting world is that he sees the need to focus at least some of his attention on high-end materials. When choosing what to bring from his shop, Dickerson often includes "game-used, autographed stuff."

But unlike some of the hobby's bigger names, Dickerson doesn't ignore collectors of more moderate means.

"I have a pretty good mix (of customers)," he said, "and when I get kids coming over, I try to make sure I have $1 or $2 packs (available).

"With people buying and shopping on eBay, you pretty much have to have reasonable prices for stuff. I've been collecting since I was a teenager, and when I used to shop and wanted something, whatever the price was is what you paid. Now, you almost have to go in (with it) discounted."