Yesterday, I had a chat with Ryan Friedman, the manager of “The Premier Collectible Conference and Exhibition.”

“It's for serious collectors,” said Friedman, about the event that will take place in Rosemont, Ill., on April 17-20. “People that want to go to a convention and see the top companies will want to check this show out. Collectors will be able to buy and sell from them without the hassle of the 700-table exhibitor shows, where half the dealers probably aren't even something they're even there for.”
This event, which will feature keynote speakers, a card show setting and some potentially, very intriguing expert panel discussions. The event is something Friedman has been thinking about doing for years. He and Mastro Auctions president Doug Allen decided to give it a try.

For anyone who's ever had a question for some of the authenticators who may not be that easy to get in touch with, or who would like to rub shoulders with many industry experts, now’s their chance.

Admission is free if you sign up at THEIR WEBSITE until March 31.

CLICK HERE for a list of the featured panel discussions.

The authentication panel with Lou Lampson, Dave Bushing and John Taube should be extra interesting.

“This will be the public's chance to get the straight forward answer directly from the source,” said Friedman. “These guys may be competitors with each other, but what they're really here for is to educate the collector. This is just a great opportunity. It's kind of like going to a coaching clinic and Coach K., Roy Williams and Bobby Knight who are up there answering questions.”

For people who will be unable to attend the event, you can click on this link HERE to ask any of the speakers a question, which they will address at the conference.

I will also be covering the event, and will be posting some video interviews, so I will make sure to keep everyone up to date on when these will be posted on our sites.

Yep... I'm still here. I didn't jump off a bridge after the Brett Favre retirement press conference ... How could I? There's not a stop light in Iola, Wis., let alone a bridge.

Well, I guess it's officially basketball season and the NBA is really starting to heat up. That doesn't excite me all that much, but March also means that it's time for the best college basketball of the year.

I never get into the regular part of the college season, but how can't you not love March Madness?

The weather starts getting nicer during this time of the year, and for some reason filling out an NCAA bracket is a tradition in every company's office.

Any early Final Four predictions out there in Gavel Chat land??

In more exciting news having to do with our website, I am pumped to let everyone know that we will be adding a "Youtube-like" area on sportscollectorsdigest.com where we will be adding video interviews, box breaks, show segments etc.

The coolest part about this new feature is it will have categories where our readers and site members will be able to add their own videos. Whether it's a clip of your collection at home, or one of your own box breaks, sportscollectorsdigest.tv will be an awesome place to visit. We are currently beta-testing the site, but I will give everyone the heads up when our site is complete.