AirShow23 Collectors Convention

Name: AirShow23 Collectors Convention
Start: 2025-04-25T09:00:00-0400
End: 2025-04-26T21:00:00-0400
Location: Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel

Fri, Apr 25, 9am - Apr 26, 9pm 2025 EDT

Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel

chapel hill, united states

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AirShow23

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Event description

The FIRST AirShow23 Collectors Convention, the world's only Convention focused on Micheal Jordan collectors, dealers and memorabilia!

Come see where it all began...Michael Jordan burst on the scene while a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill where he hit the game-winning shot to win the NCAA Championship. Visit Chapel Hill with fellow Jordan enthusiasts, share stories and be a part of this first in the collecting world.

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS

Closest International Airport: Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) RDU is a 20 minute drive from the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel where the event will take place. Use One Europa Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 as the address.

PARKING INFORMATION

Parking is available on site at the Sheraton Chapel Hill for the event. For the VIP tour, there will be transportation provided.

RECOMMENDED HOTELS

Sheraton Chapel Hill (Main Location for Panels & Card Show)
One Europa Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Discounted Room Rate for AirShow23 Collectors Convention Attendees: $159/night (regular price: $209/night)
>>Book your group rate for AirShow23 Collectors Convention (AirStar23, LLC)

The Graduate Hotel Chapel Hill
311 West Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

DEALER INFORMATION

If you would like to be a dealer at the April 26, 2025 Card & Memorabilia show, please visit AirShow23's Dealer signup page. Currently, tables are $125 each with Pre-Sale Event Pricing and will escalate to Early-Bird ($225) and then Regular Pricing ($325).

DISCLAIMER

No, Michael Jordan will not be attending this event as a guest. Any guests that particpate in the panel discussions will not be available for autographs. This event is intended to be informational and educational in nature. Dates and information detailed here is approximate and should be treated as such. Images are the copyright of their respective owners. If any image owner would like a photo taken down for any reason, we will be happy to comply with that request. We are not associated with brands that may be featured on this site including Jumpman, Jordan Brand, Nike, Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA), PSA/DNA, JSA or Beckett. Any Trademarks used are owned by their respective brands. Ideas, information and images not owned by others on this site are copyright of AirStar23, L.L.C., AirShow23 and Matthew Coppedge. No portion of this site including graphics, descriptions or educational information may be used without express written consent. All information and text on this website is the opinion of AirShow23 and Matthew Coppedge and should not be utilized as anything other that that.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

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AirShow23

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For almost as long as I can remember, I’ve been a UNC Tar Heel fan. Growing up in eastern North Carolina in the early 80’s, you were either an NC State fan or UNC Tar Heel fan. Since my first recollection of any type of basketball was the 1982 Championship game (and mainly getting cans of UNC cola when they won), I’ve been collecting UNC and a little later, Michael Jordan cards, memorabilia and autographs.

In the mid-90’s, at the height of Jordan’s fame, I was able to meet him 6 or 7 times at various places in North Carolina…first at a bar on Franklin St in Chapel Hill when I was a student at UNC in 1995 and other times at celebrity golf classics in NC (Jimmy V, Michael Jordan’s own Celebrity Golf Classic). The final time was in the heat of “The Last Dance” season, as I interned with the Charlotte Hornets. Luckily, I was able to obtain his autograph in-person on 2 of those occasions, pictured below, along with numerous photos I was able to take during those golf tournaments. (All images copyright Matthew Coppedge, AirShow23).

Jordan Signing AutographsThat's me standing behind MJ in the green, white and blue polo holding an Olympic jersey for him to sign. Wasn't able to get him to sign that, but he did sign the press pass I'm wearing around my neck later in the day at the tournament.

Although taking a hiatus from the hobby from 2008 through 2022, I have ventured back in and developed this website for a number of reasons.

First, it’s been said by many that since Jordan has had an exclusive contract with Upper Deck since 1992 for his autographed memorabilia, that the only authentic Jordan signatures are from Upper Deck. While the contract part is true, I completely disagree on the view about authentic Jordan signatures.

MJ became tremendously famous after hitting the game winning shot at UNC on March 29, 1982 to win the NCAA Championship. From that time until his contract with Upper Deck in 1992, he signed 10 YEARS worth of autographs, some years as one of the most famous people on the planet. I would have no idea the number, but my guess is that it would probably be in the tens of thousands. Given this, and the fact that I prefer unique items with vintage Jordan signatures because of the rarity and the signature style, I’ve made sure to educate myself on the nuances of these signatures and developed relationships with other knowledgable collectors to assess all Jordan signatures.

In addition, although difficult to obtain his signature in-person, it is not nearly impossible. On the occasions where I’ve been able to obtain his autograph, he’s been gracious and we even shared a few laughs. Add those in over the last 30+ years, and you certainly do have the opportunity to find and purchase authentic Jordan autographs that were not commissioned by Upper Deck under contract.

NBA at 50 Book Signed for me During the 1997-98 SeasonNBA at 50 Book I was able to have Jordan and Pippen sign in 1998

Along this collecting path, I’ve met some really awesome collectors that are so much more knowledgeable than I am about Jordan autographs and have been able to learn a tremendous amount from. There are a few I would I like to acknowledge here.

First is the man who was the biggest contributor to my education and learning about early Jordan autographs, Darren Shikina who ran a website called RareAir23.com, dedicated to Jordan vintage autographs. The site hasn’t been updated since around 2010, however it is still live and contains a wealth of information that I’d recommend anyone who is interested in early Jordan autographs read and study. Such a great website and the inspiration behind the sharing of information here on this site. So much appreciate him sharing his knowledge and expertise on these autographs and I feel my website, AirShow23.com is just an extension and building upon the foundation of his knowledge and work.

Next are Wesley Gretah and Eric John, a couple of likeminded Jordan collectors who know Jordan autographs like very few out there. These two run some Facebook groups dedicated to Jordan collectors and can spot most forged Jordan signatures from a mile away. There is no way I would have been able to build my collection or this website without their expertise. And any time I have a Jordan signature without a COA I am looking to purchase, I run that signature by these two as I trust them, I trust their opinion and they are awesome at what they do.

And second, I love to give back any knowledge I have obtained over the last 30 years. So I see this site as a dedicated resource for educating collectors on the signature styles Michael Jordan used throughout his career. Knowledge is power, so I encourage anyone who is interested in purchasing Jordan autographs to study authentic examples (on here, on auction sites, authentication sites and any other resources you can find) and learn the different changes his autograph went through during his career. This will help any collector learn what to look for and to be as educated as possible when it comes to Jordan autographs.