Philly Non-Sports | GPKNews.com

Philly Non-Sports Card Show Returns at New Location

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Jeff

Update: Here are images of the promo cards that collectors will receive with paid admission (while supplies last).

Garbage Pail Kids collectors can rejoice, the return to in person cons is back! Two years after the last in person event, the Philly Non-Sports Card Show is set to return October 16-17. The show had to cancel the past three events due to the Covid pandemic. The Philly show is the largest non-sports card show in the country. The show will feature a number of changes and adjustments to comply with local safety measures. The biggest change is the venue. The show will be held at The Greater Philadelphia Convention Center (Hall E) in Oaks, PA. Additionally, anyone over 12 years old attending the show, including dealers, must show proof of vaccination. Masks are recommended, but not required.

The show will once again have a heavy GPK presence. GPK final card artists David Gross and Smokin’ Joe McWilliams highlight attending artists that also include Robert Jimenez and Lily Mercado, who have also done online and sketch card work for Garbage Pail Kids. Artist Ingrid Hardy will also be in attendance. GPK collectors also will find Mark Pingitore’s Magic Marker Art booth. Other companies attending are Sidekick Labs, Cryptozoic, Rittenhouse, and the Collector Connection. Collectors attending the show will also be given officially licensed GPK promo cards from artists David Gross and Smokin’ Joe. Kids and adults alike will even be able to take photos with Topps’ GPK Spokesperson, Adam Bomb!

Admission for the show is $10 per day, or $15 for a two day pass. The show will be open Saturday Oct. 16 from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM and Sunday Oct. 17 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. There will be no dinner this time, while a card talk session is still TBD. Everyone is sure to have a great time meeting their favorites artists and hanging out with their fellow collectors.

Philly Non-Sport Virtual Call Features Topps Announcments

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Jeff

COVID-19 wasn’t able to stop Topps news from coming out at the Philly Non-Sports card show. The show is being held virtually this weekend. Today’s first virtual card talk session featured Topps Ira Friedman and Jessica Kanzer. The call was hosted by show promoter Harris Tosar.

Topps VP of licensing Ira Friedman took the first half of the call to go over all the various licensing efforts Topps is working on for Garbage Pail Kids. Ira told collectors Topps is focused on making GPK a global brand. He first reviewed a number of products that are for the core GPK collector. USAopoly is planning to release two new puzzles in 2021, plus a new unannounced product. There will be 3 new Geekitikis in the second series coming in Nov. Funko will release new POPs in early 2021. Greenlight will have the already announced 3rd series of die-cast cars in 2021. Ira showed off the GPK playing card deck during the talk. He said they would be sold at both FYE and ToyNK. He also showed the recent playing card coins from GPKNation, and talked about their weekly limited releases. He also had the Super7 reaction figure of Adam Bomb, and said he hoped it would lead to more figures.

Next Ira spoke of products that were focused on a broader audience. He mentioned the continued FYE consumables they continue to come out with. The Wal-Mart GPK advent calendar was shown. Ira said the calendar will be sold in 900 stores nationwide. He then talked about trying to being GPKs to kids. Part of that will include two more announcements with toy companies coming in 2021, that will focus on products to bring kids into the hobby. Finally, in some big news, Ira said they are working on various video game initiatives, and there will be some announcements in 2021.

Ira then went on to talk about the various partnerships they are working on. He said there would be a new partnership announcement in Dec. for 2021. He then talked about the success of the RL Stine book, and being #7 on this weeks NY Times kids best seller list. He showed off the audio version of the book, featured on 6 CDs. He mentioned there will be more books on the way from RL Stine. Finally he said their stop motion partnership with Jam Roll Studios is continuing. There is an upcoming much longer 3 part videos series coming out soon from the company. The first part 3 1/2 min video will debut this December. Part 2 will come in the first quarter of 2021, with part 3 in the 2nd quarter.

Finally Ira talked about global expansion. He said various GPK products would be offered in other countries that have supported GPK. He also mentioned in 2021 they are working on new card sets for other countries featuring not only existing, but new artwork as well.

Next to speak was Topps Entertainment Brand Manager Jessica Kanzer. Jessica started by giving an overview of the upcoming 35th anniversary set. Jessica showed a picture of the Garbage Can Tin that will be the box on the Collector boxes. She mentioned there are two versions, one will be limited. Next she talked about the Chrome OS 3 set. In addition to the OS 3 base cards, there are nine new pieces that were created for the set. She said Tom Bunk signed a number of cards for the set, but they were not able to get John Pound to sign autos this time. She mentioned she is also excited for the 2021S1 Food Fight release, and work is starting for the second half releases in 2021.

Jessica also talked about some upcoming releases for topps.com. The second series of Trashy Treasures will be coming in Nov. She showed off one of the figures, Nat Nerd. She said there will be a Halloween themed release on 10/22, with two additional holiday themed releases planned for the rest of the year. She also said the weekly GPK card sets would continue in 2021 with a different theme.

Topps doesn’t speak often on GPK so this was incredible insight being shared with collectors. Hats off to the Philly Non-Sport promoters for putting the talk together. The show has 6 more various non-sport related talks scheduled through the weekend.

Philly Non-Sports Show Goes Virtual in October

Posted on September 7, 2020 by Jeff

Covid 19 has caused the cancellation of most of the cons and card shows around the country in 2020. Taking a page from SDCC, the Philly Non-Sports Card Show is going virtual in October. Show promoters have scheduled a number of sessions with card industry leaders to take place Oct. 16-18, 2020. The sessions will be available to anyone who purchases a pass. The purchase also comes with two exclusive Philly Non-Sports cards, continuing their industry card series. Passes are $10 for US address, and $15 for international address. (Passes are only available while supplies last.)

The highlight of the show for Garbage Pail Kids collectors will be the Topps presentation, scheduled for for 10/16 at 10:00 AM EST. Ira Friedman and Jessica Kanzer are both scheduled to appear. Friedman is Topps VP of Licensing, and will be able to talk about all the various GPK products. Kanzer is the Brand Manager over GPK, this will be the first time she has be interviewed since taking over the reins of the brand. Long time GPK sketch artist Chenduz will have a session on 10/18 at 10:00 AM EST. Tom Lichtman from Sidekick Publishing and Adam Levine will have a session on 10/17 at 10:00 AM EST to talk about their Marks Attacks card set. See picture below for the complete lineup.

Collectors can signup for the virtual sessions, by going to the Philly Non-Sports website.

October Philly Non-Sports Card Show Cancelled

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Jeff

In what is a surprise to no one, the October Philly Non-Sports card show has been cancelled. Show organizers made the announcement on their website and social channels yesterday. In a statement on their website they said, “As much as we love the hobby and love the show, the safety and health of everyone involved is our most important concern.” The Philly show, held twice a year, is the largest non-sports card show in the country. Organizers announced they are looking forward to the shows in 2021, which are scheduled to be held May 15/16 and Oct. 16/17.

May Philly Non-Sports Show Cancelled Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Jeff

Today the Philly Non-Sports card show announced that the upcoming show in May would be cancelled. The event was scheduled to take place May 2-3 in Allentown, PA at the Merchants Square Mall. Instead the promoters said they hope to see everyone at the next show scheduled for October 17-18.

Vegas Gross Experience Still On Despite Coronavirus Concerns

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Jeff

This weekend’s Gross Xperience show within the Las Vegas Toy Con is still scheduled to take place. While many local governments and sports leagues around the country have postponed or cancelled events in the last 24 hours due to the coronavirus, that hasn’t been the case with the Vegas Toy Con. Nevada and Las Vegas currently do not have any local government restrictions in place limiting social gatherings. The show released information on their social media channels yesterday stating, “the show must go on”. As of 11:00 AM local time today, show promoters confirmed with GPKNews that the show would go on. Jon Gregory, one of the GPK artists scheduled to attend the show, will no longer be attending.

This isn’t the only convention coming up over the new few months that has a large Garbage Pail Kids presence. The next Philly Non-Sports card show is set to take place May 2-3 in Allentown, PA. As of now the show is still scheduled. Show promoters told GPKNews today that, “They are still planning to hold the show unless the CDC orders all gatherings to be cancelled.”

Then there are the larger Comic Cons in San Diego and New York. Earlier today on their twitter account, the San Diego Comic Con posted that their sister con, Wonder Con (scheduled Apr 10-12), has been postponed. They said no decision has been made yet on the San Diego Comic Con, scheduled to take place July 23-26.

We continue to work closely with officials in San Diego and at this time no decision has been made regarding the rescheduling of Comic-Con slated to take place this summer; July 23-26, 2020. (3/4)

— San Diego Comic-Con (@Comic_Con) March 12, 2020

New York Comic Con has not commented yet, but their show is still a number of months away in October. The next few weeks/months will be chaotic for show promoters as they struggle with these decisions.

Philly Non-Sports Show Set for Next Weekend

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Jeff

Every year October is a huge month for Garbage Pail Kids. Not only is there a new retail set, but with New York Comic Con, and the Philly Non-Sports shows, collectors are busy all month! Now that NYCC is over its time to focus on next week’s Philly Non-Sports Card Show. Collectors from around the world will once again descend on the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown, PA for the bi-annual card show. Now this show isn’t like the hustle and bustle of NYCC show. This show is a more intimate setting, that allows collectors time to chat with their favorite artists and collectors alike. Plus the entire show is non-sports cards. Like usual there will be a heavy focus on GPK.

Two of the current GPK artists Brent Engstrom and Joe Simko will be guests at the show. You can have a chance to meet your favorite artists, buy some art, and get some autographs. The duo have painted an exclusive card for the show. Collectors attending the Meet & Greet on Saturday night will have the option to purchase the two Topps licensed cards for $20. The cost of the cards helps to offset the cost for the artists to attend the show. As a special bonus attendees to the Meet & Greet will receive a metal version of the card for free! There will be plenty of prizes at the Meet & Greet. GPK collectors could win one of the Chalkline GPK jackets.

GPK collectors will also enjoy a Saturday evening auction after the show, which many rare items. Roxanne Toser will also have a number of items from Jay Lynch’s personal collection for sale at the show. She also found a number of old 1980’s GPKNews merchandise items that will only be offered at the show.

While not GPK, collectors can also pick up two promo cards for two new sets that will be hitting Kickstarter soon. Both Mars Attacks and Weird Wheels are making a comeback, and there will be promo cards available at the show. There will be a number of other promos available as well.

The show takes place at the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown, PA on Saturday October 19th from 10:00-5:00 and Sunday October 20th from 10:00 – 3:00. Tickets are $8 per day, or a weekend pass for $14. All collectors i the area should make it a point to stop by the show next weekend!

Images for Exclusive Philly Non-Sports GPK Cards

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Jeff

Yesterday the official website of the Philly Non-Sports Card show shared images of the officially Topps licensed cards that will be available at the show. The artwork was completed by GPK artists Joe Simko and Brent Engstrom and will be available as a pair with a/b names.

The artists will be among the guests at the next Philly Non-Sports show. The show is set to take place at the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown, PA on Oct 19th & 20th.

How can you get your hands on these cards? According The the website:

“Attend the Philly Non-Sports Card Show at the Merchants Square Mall, 1901 S. 12th Street on October 19 & 20. Sign up and pay for the Meet and Greet being held at the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 pm. The Meet and Greet is the place to eat and the cost is $22 pp and this will put you on the list to guarantee your purchase of a set (1a and 1b) of the cards for only $20! Visit with artists Jason Brower, Ted Dastick Jr., Joe Simko, Brent Engstrom at the Meet and Greet. To reserve: email [email protected]. Remaining cards will be sold at the show both Saturday and Sunday.”

Those attending the show will want to reserve their spot now before they sell out.