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This past week, I had the privilege of attending Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 as part of Collectors MD‘s official media coverage, and I walked away feeling more optimistic than ever about where this hobby is headed. If you watched ABC News’ coverage of the event, you probably caught a glimpse of the excitement. Tens of thousands of collectors, families, athletes, celebrities, creators, breakers, manufacturers, platforms, hobby shops, and industry leaders packed into one place, creating what felt like the epicenter of modern collecting. The event showcased just how much the hobby has evolved and how mainstream collecting has become over the past several years.
Over the course of three days, I had the opportunity to meet with collectors, community members, existing partners, future partners, hobby shops, breakers, manufacturers, platforms, and industry leaders from every corner of the hobby. While everyone came from different backgrounds and perspectives, one message surfaced over and over again throughout nearly every conversation: #RipResponsibly resonates. People understand that collecting brings an incredible amount of joy to millions of people, but they also recognize that there is a very real need to better support the consumer, the customer, and the collector at the ground level. Not everyone who participates in this hobby will ever experience harm, and that’s a wonderful thing. But for the individuals and families who do, there needs to be somewhere they can turn for education, resources, and support, without shame or judgment.
That’s precisely exactly why Collectors MD exists. We’ve often described ourselves as “the hospital of the hobby”. Just as hospitals hope people never need their services, our hope is that most collectors never need ours. But when collecting begins taking more than it’s giving – whether financially, emotionally, or mentally – we want people to know that support exists. We aren’t just here for collectors. We’re here for parents trying to understand what their child is becoming involved in, spouses worried about changing behaviors, friends looking for guidance, and family members searching for answers. The hobby has built an incredible ecosystem around buying, selling, trading, grading, breaking, investing, and community. We believe it also deserves an ecosystem of education, prevention, awareness, and support.
One of the most humbling experiences throughout the weekend was how many people already knew who we were. Collectors recognized the Collectors MD logo on my shirt. Industry professionals told us they had seen #RipResponsibly shared across social media. Existing partners introduced us to new organizations that wanted to get involved, while complete strangers stopped simply to thank us for starting conversations they felt the hobby needed. After just over a year, seeing the message spread organically throughout the industry was something I’ll never forget. It reminded me that awareness doesn’t happen overnight, but when enough people believe in a mission, momentum begins to build in ways you never expect.
Another observation that really stood out to me throughout the weekend was the incredible number of children in attendance. Watching young collectors confidently negotiate with dealers, evaluate value, trade cards, and even wheel and deal five-figure collectibles was genuinely impressive. There is something incredibly special about seeing kids develop skills in communication, entrepreneurship, negotiation, patience, basic economics, and the art of making a deal through collecting. Those are life skills that can benefit them well beyond the hobby itself. At the same time, it reinforced why education is so important. As more young collectors enter today’s collecting environments, parents deserve balanced information that helps them understand both the incredible benefits collecting can provide and the potential risks associated with highly stimulating, fast-paced hobby environments. Our goal has never been to discourage collecting. Our goal is to help families participate intentionally and understand the landscape they’re navigating together.
It was also impossible not to notice the amount of star power throughout the event. If you were somebody in sports or entertainment, chances are you were there. That level of mainstream attention is exciting for the hobby and represents tremendous growth. At the same time, it also represents an incredible opportunity. Athletes, celebrities, creators, and influencers collectively reach millions of collectors every single day. Imagine the impact if even a small percentage of those voices also helped normalize healthy collecting habits, intentional engagement, budgeting, and responsible decision-making alongside the excitement that makes this hobby so enjoyable. Positive awareness doesn’t diminish collecting – it helps preserve it.
I also want to give a huge thank you to Nick Jarman and The CTCA. Throughout the weekend, we had the opportunity to work side by side promoting both The Healthy Hobby Initiative and #RipResponsibly. Rather than duplicating efforts or competing for attention, we were able to divide and conquer, reaching more people together than either of us could have individually. Meaningful progress happens when organizations collaborate instead of compete, and that’s exactly the type of leadership this hobby needs as it continues to evolve.
I’ve seen a handful of comments suggesting that Collectors MD has become “too commercial” by attending events like Fanatics Fest, The National, and other major hobby gatherings. As we prepare for The NCPG Conference in Nashville this week and The The National in Chicago next week, I want to take a moment to address that perspective. If we truly want to make a positive impact, we cannot accomplish that by standing on the sidelines. We have to be where the collectors are. We have to be walking the show floors, meeting collectors face-to-face, building relationships with businesses, collaborating with manufacturers, partnering with platforms, and having conversations before someone reaches a crisis – not after. Awareness begins where people gather, and if we’re serious about helping the hobby grow in a healthier direction, we have a responsibility to be at the center of those conversations.
At the end of the day, everything we do comes from the same place: a genuine love for this hobby. We love collecting. We love the memories it creates, the friendships it builds, the history it preserves, and the excitement it brings to millions of people around the world. Our mission has never been to change what makes collecting special. Our mission is to help ensure that as the hobby continues to grow, it also grows in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and supportive of everyone who participates in it. After spending three days immersed in Fanatics Fest, I left feeling more hopeful than ever. The conversations are happening. The industry is listening. The community is embracing the message. And together, I truly believe we’re building something that will have a lasting impact on the future of the hobby.
#CollectorsMD
Fanatics Fest wasn’t just a celebration of collecting – it was a reminder that as the hobby grows, so does our responsibility to support the people within it. By educating collectors, supporting families, and promoting intentional engagement through initiatives like The Healthy Hobby Initiative and #RipResponsibly, we’re not limiting the future of the hobby – we’re helping protect it.
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