UD finalizes National plans

Just in time to coincide with MLB’s trading deadline of July 31, Upper Deck is preparing to entertain the masses at the National Sports Collectors Convention at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. This year’s event, from July 29 through August 2, marks the 30th running of the nation’s largest sports collectibles and memorabilia show.

“We’re extremely excited to once again have a major presence at the National Sports Collectors Convention,” said Kerri Kauffman, Upper Deck’s director of Marketing. “We anticipate there will be thousands upon thousands of LeBron fans, so we’re prepared to satisfy their collecting pursuits.”

Thursday through Sunday Upper Deck will conduct its popular foil pack wrapper redemption program starting at noon. Fans who purchase five packs of any 2009 Upper Deck card packs (baseball, basketball, football or hockey products) that carry a suggested retail price of $1.99 or more per pack will receive one of four different 2009 National event-exclusive, six-card sets, while supplies last. Each day there will be a different six-card collection redeemed.

On Thursday, the six-card set will consist of Derek Jeter, Grady Sizemore, Evgeni Malkin, Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger and Derrick Rose. Friday’s lineup includes Ken Griffey Jr., LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Bob Feller, Alexander Ovechkin and Larry Fitzgerald. Saturday will see Cliff Lee, Gordie Howe, Adrian Peterson, LeBron James, Brady Quinn and Paul Pierce be awarded, while Sunday’s roster will feature Kerry Wood, Sidney Crosby, Joe DiMaggio, Michael Jordan, Mo Williams and Matt Ryan. Note: Card packs must be opened in front of an Upper Deck representative for redeeming purposes.

In addition, Upper Deck’s busy booth workers will be handing out overrun cards every day of the show from three of its more popular brands: MLB First Edition, Draft Edition Football and Heroes Football. What’s more, during Sunday’s “National Kids Day,” Upper Deck will be hosting its Kids Zone (located in the Ferris wheel area) from noon to 2 p.m., where kids can sign up and demo UpperDeckU.com., the company’s new virtual world for kids; play Upper Deck’s “Spin Wheel” game; trade cards; enter raffle drawings and possibly win various prizes including UpperDeckU backpacks, mini jerseys, stickers and more.