Panini America On Location: A Frenzied First Day at the 2011 National Convention
Chicago-based freelance writer Dan Campana contributed to this report and will file updates and images to The Knight’s Lance throughout the week.
ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Panini America team landed in Chicago early Wednesday morning and hit the ground running for the “sneak peek” of the 32nd Annual National Sports Collectors Convention.
Mere seconds after the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center doors opened Wednesday afternoon, dozens of Panini fanatics had descended upon the company’s huge display in the heart of the corporate pavilion. Can you guess what they were after?
None other than the first crack at the company’s coveted wrapper-redemption packs earned by opening many of Panini America’s 2010-11 line of products. Many collectors took full advantage of the promotion Wednesday by breaking multiple cases of 2010-11 Totally Certified Basketball and 2010-11 Luxury Suite Hockey and exchanging the empty wrappers for the silver packs with the silver lining.
We’ll have more on the excitement of Panini America’s 2011 redemption program tomorrow.
The Panini America display is hard to miss, with a giant Tom Brady VIP card blow-up easily spotted from most of the convention hall floor. There’s also plenty of Chicago touches inside the booth, with posters of the Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews, the Bears’ Jay Cutler and Bulls young superstar Derrick Rose prominently displayed.
And, just to show the company is on top of current events, there was even a sweet patch card of newly re-signed Blackhawks sniper Patrick Sharp in one display cases. Oh, and be sure to check out the captivating displays devoted to the company’s Panini HRX Video Trading Cards and the golden goodness of 2010-11 Gold Standard Basketball. These cutting-edge cards must be seen to be believed.
Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance all week long for more exclusive coverage from the NSCC show floor. For now, enjoy this massive gallery of highlights from a productive first day, including a special guest appearance by Forever The Sickest Kids lead singer — and noted collector — Jonathan Cook.
The Knight's Lance 
Are you guys gonna offer a contest for us less fortunates that can’t afford to go to the convention?
Yes we are. Stay tuned. We’ll have something posted by tomorrow.
Thank you Tracy, I cant wait to hear what the contest is.
Man i wish i was in Illinois !!!!!
Man I wish I could have made it out to Ch-town, it looks great. Those school colors wrapper redempion cards are amazing.
Panini does it Right!!! Wish I could have made the National this year. Next year for sure.
The NSCC is on my bucket list now! Nice setup.
saturday , can’t wait. why do u guys have the hrx cards there , but i can;t redeem mine???
opened a case of national treasures basketball yesterday. 2 rookie patch autos only i one 4 box case, bad deal. case hit was a derrick rose, ok i guess.
Next year…next year. I need to keep telling that to myself every time I see one of your posts about the National.
Wednesday night was insane. Panini doing it right!
Thanks for the covering guys, you´re doing great
You are teasing us with a picture of the case that has all the sketch cards and mini helmets. haha Awesome job covering. Would love to see some photos of the more rare stuff. And thanks for doing the redemption pack give away.
Man I would love to be there. Looks like a blast. Cant wait until I can make it up there. I bet its like Card Heaven.
I wanted to make it this year. But alas it wasn’t meant to be. Next year for sure! And Im super stoked to get a chance for some of those wrapper redemption packs!!!
nice Sharp
Missed the word “card” before “blow-up” the first time around and thought I was reading about a whole other convention for a moment.
Looks great. Would love to be there.
Looks like a collectors dream! Panini is in a class by itself.
Was the Donruss Elite 10-11 released for NBA and MLB at Panini? Cause I know Elite for NFL already came out! Nice stockage of people down there busting some packs of Panini Products. It’s nice having people busting open packs you know? Hope I can come next year!
Oh, i am going to have to go next year, or the next….I just have to. Your booth looks amazing! Thanks for the pics and videos. Keep up the good work Panini!
Dang that was some nice stuff there.
Some really great signed memorabilia there!!
Thanks for the coverage. I can’t make it so I will be living the experience through the blog.
I wish i was able to go, but i had to go out of town for work. Panini looks like they did a great job, and what a pack redemption program. love one of those hockey or sketch auto’s. i went to the last national in chicago and no card company created as much buzz as panini. great job guys
Those are some awesome photos. I love the pictures of the gold cards! Maybe I’ll get lucky and pull one myself.
#21 IS the best corner I have ever seen, with rod woodson a close second. No disrespect.
Those banners outside look awesome!!!
The National never fails to disappoint. Too bad I couldn’t make it this year.
Thanks for sharing pics for those who can’t make it. Looks like Christmas came early this year.
wish I could have been to the convention that was in Baltimore a year or two back!
My favorite picture is definitely the carnage of the silver foil wrappers on the floor. Looking at all that signed stuff just makes me drool!
Tons of awesome stuff for the redemptions!
Panini doing work!!!! Got my gold bar on the way!!
Man that looks “AWSOME” I have been wanting to go to the National for like 3 years and I never get to something always comes up!!!!
Wish I could of made it there, loos like fun!
Nationals is just but a dream for me..
Speechless !!! Wish I could be there.
I remember that booth well from the All-Star Weekend Jam Session, though there are some notable additions to the displays. Thanks for supporting your fans, Panini!
Damn that is awesome!
Redeem all that stuff 😛