The Spectacular Outstanding 2021 Show of Shows concluded this past weekend. It was held at the Kentucky Expo Center North Wing in Louisville, KY. It was a very different event in many ways!

First of all, it was the first show we, and many of the public, had done in well over 17 months, Secondly, it was in a different section of the Expo Center so the unloading and loading was different. Our table locations could not possibly have been further away from the loading docks. It made for a big challenge for my crew.

This location is enormous so the aisles were very wide which, under the current health situation, was a very good idea. When we walked in on Wednesday evening to set up, we were amazed by the enormity of this massive hall.

It looked weird to see almost 2,000 tables set up with nothing on them. Within three hours, the hall had been transformed into a bevy of dealers scurrying to get their booths set up in anticipation of the following three days of member and public activity. 

We had a very select location on the left wall which was actually angled making our display look even bigger. Naturally, we had brought our best inventory items to put together a very professional display. In this case, more than 50% of the items we brought were fresh to the market and were not listed on our website. Many were recently purchased from a very prestigious 50-year collection.

Be sure to check out our collage of photos.

Because this SOS was held at a totally different time of the year there was no huge gun show being held and this had a bearing on the attendance. In 2022, the show will return to the South Wing and will be held from February 24th to February 26th, 2022. Be sure to check the OVMS website HERE! 

Once again, I was amazed by the number of new customers we met at this show who said it was their first SOS and they came because they saw what I had written about the show. This included some young people with their folks and even a few female collectors. It goes to show that it pays to advertise the show beforehand on my website and on other social media. Others said that they came because it was summer and they parlayed their vacation to include a day or more at the SOS.



The weather was very cooperative throughout the week with very warm temperatures as you would expect in Kentucky at this time of the year. The hall was air conditioned so it was quite comfortable inside. Patrick and my team made the 17 ½ hour trek with truck and trailer both ways with fair weather and no issues. I wish I could say the same for my flight home. 

American Airlines delayed my connecting flight in Charlotte, NC, three times before canceling it. I waited three hours in their “Assist” line and ended up spending the night in the airport. If this has ever happened to you, I do not have to tell you how uncomfortable this is. I finally got home around 5 PM on Sunday. Patrick actually beat me home by three hours…Ugh!

This year I had set moderate expectations for the show based on a number of factors. These were:

• The show being at a different time of the year when many people are vacationing and spending their money elsewhere.

• The pandemic prevented Europeans from traveling to the US so those potential customers were not coming.

• The usual customers also being hesitant because of covid-19.

• The fact that the 2021 MAX show is less than two months away.

So, taking into consideration all the above factors, when we reviewed our sales, I did exceed my projected goal by more than 20%. Literally, everybody I spoke with said they had a great show whether they were just attending or selling. I talked to a number of collectors who said they were able to find items from their most wanted list because the selection at the show is so varied.

The buzz on internet sites like the WAF was very positive.

My team this year consisted of my son and partner, Patrick, my photographer Jeff Demers and our good friends,

Josh Richardson and Don Codling.

(shown here with our dear friends)

One of the highlights for me was the opportunity to meet and interact with so many people who had previously purchased my book

THE STORIES BEHIND THE TREASURES OF WORLD WAR II

“The Making of a Collectorholic”

and the feedback is a tremendous motivation for me to continue to work hard

on Volume IV. 

Copies of my first three volumes are still available on my website.

CLICK HERE

(for info on Bill's Books)

Looking ahead, 2021 will finally bring with it a new location for the MAX show. It will be held in York, PA, at the York Expo Center Arena. Personally, I believe this is a great move for many reasons. Depending on the latest covid-19 restrictions, all the dealers will be in one large hall. There is plenty of parking and there will also be a large gun show going on at the same time.

The dates are September 17th and 18th for the public but if you are an OVMS member, you can get in at 12 noon on Thursday, the 16th. So, now there are even more advantages to becoming a member of this vibrant club. Membership gets you into both shows (SOS and MAX) free and also earlier than the general public. Please consider joining up by going to their website. Tell them I sent you. 

OVMS MEMBERSHIP INFO CLICK HERE

The 2022 SOS will be held from Feb 24th to Feb 26th in the South Wing Hall C

At the Kentucky Expo Center.

“Be there or be square”!