Collectors flock to Toronto in the fall and spring for the Sports Cards & Collectibles Expo. We had a great time at the event in the fall and we have some big plans in store for collectors when we return to Toronto on May 4, 5 and 6 for the show.

Upper Deck runs free raffles at the Expo and gives away some amazing prizes. Collectors always pack around the UD booth to try to score some great items!

Upper Deck will have great items on display and free raffles throughout the weekend as we have done in the past. The Priority Signings wrapper redemption program will return where fans in attendance who purchase a box of 2011 NHL Parkhurst Champions, 2011-12 NHL Black Diamond, 2011-12 NHL Upper Deck Series Two or 2011-12 NHL SP Game-Used from a Certified Diamond Dealer at the show will receive a voucher. They can bring that voucher to the Upper Deck booth at specified times where they can exchange it, along with the wrappers from the box for a random 2012 NHL Priority Signings autograph card for FREE!

Collectors who purchase a specific UD box at the show from a Certified Diamond Dealer will receive a voucher for a FREE Priority Signings autograph card!

The checklist for the Spring Expo is strong with players like Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Carey Price and Steven Stamkos adding their signatures to the set. You can also find autographs from retired stars like Eric Lindros, Jean Beliveau and Wayne Gretzky in the 2012 NHL Priority Signings set. There will also be rare variations of some of the top players in the set as we have done in years prior to add a higher level of collectability.

This is one of the several Gretzky autograph variation cards in the 2012 Priority Signings set.

We will be revealing a special promotion for case breakers as well for the show in the coming weeks. Below are the hours for the Priority Signings program:

Friday, May 4 – 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 6 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Puck fans are all smiles when they recieve a free Priority Signings autograph card from Upper Deck.

Another BIG addition to the Spring Expo is that Upper Deck will fulfill redemptions for customers at the show for the first-time ever. If you have outstanding redemptions with Upper Deck and would like to have them fulfilled or exchanged and available to pick up at the show, we will offer that service to you. To take part in picking up your outstanding redemptions and replacements at the Upper Deck Booth you need to send an email to [email protected] with the subject title “2012 NHL Spring Expo Redemption Program.” In the body of the email, please cut and paste the code and description of the card(s) you would like fulfilled or exchanged. In twenty words or less, describe the type of replacements you would like to receive focusing more on teams, regions and brands you are interested in rather than particular players if the card is not in stock. If you do not provide the information exactly as described, we will not be able to honor your request so make sure you take the time to get us exactly what we need in the format requested to help.

As this is a new program, we will only be able to assist with a finite amount of customers who are interested in participating. We will share with fans once we cannot accept any additional requests. To pick up your cards during the show you will need to provide a government issued identification and sign for them in person. Only the actual card owners can pick up the cards, so you cannot pick up items for a friend. Hours for pick-up are listed below:

Friday, May 4 – 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5 – 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

If you do not think you can be at the show on Friday, May 4 or Saturday, May 5, we ask that you do not request this service. Additionally, if you fail to pick your cards up, you will not be able to request this service in the future and there could be additional delays in getting these cards to you.

Personally I am incredibly excited to be able to bring this service to show. I have talked to a lot of dealers and collectors at this show throughout the years who have indicated they wish they could have had their redemption cards for the show. Now they can. Redemption cards are seen as a poor customer experience and we hope that by putting this program together we can provide a heightened level of service for our loyal collectors.

Look for more details on the 2012 Spring Sports Cards & Collectibles Expo in the coming weeks!

Disclaimer: Priority Signings wrapper redemption cards are available one per customer, per day. Customers must purchase products from a Certified Diamond Dealer at the show in order to receive a voucher. Priority Signings cards are limited and we will run out of them. Make sure to get to the Upper Deck booth early in order to receive your card.