Make it a 'Priority' to Visit the UD Booth at the Sportscard & Collectibles Expo

Upper Deck reveals wrapper redemption promotion for semi-annual show taking place in Toronto this weekend

Carlsbad, CA (April 25, 2011) – Twice a year hockey fans converge on the Toronto International Centre to take part in a collectibles show that celebrates sports trading cards and memorabilia, especially geared toward hockey. As the leader in this industry, Upper Deck is thrilled to be in attendance and to share some details about the exciting events it has planned throughout the coming weekend.

First up is the “Priority Signings” wrapper redemption program with a design that picks up where the Fall set left off and an autograph checklist that may be the strongest in Upper Deck’s history at the show. Check out the Upper Deck Blog tomorrow where we will share the entire checklist but, rest assured, you will find names like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Carey Price, Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. With a chance to own premium cards like these, collectors will need to open a box of a premium Upper Deck product to receive a free signature card at random from the set. Collectors can open one sealed box of either 2010-11 NHL SPx, NHL SP Authentic or NHL SP Game-Used products at the Upper Deck Booth and receive one Priority Signings card in exchange for their empty wrappers. There will be a limit of one redemption card per person, per day, while supplies last. All card packs must be opened at the Upper Deck booth in front of a company representative. These cards are ONLY available during the giveaway times posted and the promotion may end earlier in the event stock on these cards has been exhausted. This promotion is only available during the following show times:

Friday, April 29 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 30 – noon to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 1 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

While autograph cards are certainly a big deal to those in the hobby, Upper Deck will be showing off a card that doesn’t boast an autograph but has still been getting its share of media attention. It is Upper Deck’s EVOLUTION, the first-ever, self-contained video trading card. UD Staff will be showing the card off before the wrapper redemption portion of the show each day. Don’t miss it!

One of our favorite parts of attending the Sportscard & Collectibles Expo is being able to give back to our collectors and fans. UD will host a free raffle each day of the show where fans in attendance can walk away with boxes of Upper Deck cards, memorabilia and much more. Stop by the Upper Deck booth for more details on each giveaway.

In an effort to let passionate collectors get a better idea of what we have coming down the pike, Upper Deck will host a meet-and-greet event on Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. with Upper Deck’s NHL Product Manager, Grant Sandground. Grant will provide details on many of Upper Deck’s upcoming NHL releases and solicit feedback from the group. For their time and in honor of UFC 129 taking place in Toronto that evening, collectors who attend will receive one random MMA autograph trading card. Seating for this event is limited; please register today by emailing your name, address and why you would like to attend to upperdeckmarketing@upperdeck.com. Entries must be received by Wednesday, April 28 by 5:00 p.m. PST.

What’s more, in an effort to make sure collectors have an enjoyable experience at the show, Upper Deck would like to remind collectors in attendance to ONLY purchase new Upper Deck products from Certified Diamond Dealers. Upper Deck will have signage available for Certified Diamond Dealers setting up at the show so fans will know to purchase sealed products only from them.

"We cannot wait to get out to Toronto for this show," said Chris Carlin, Upper Deck's sports marketing & social media manager. "It is great to be able to reward our loyal fans with promotions like the Priority Signings wrapper redemption and the daily raffles. We will have a variety of other giveaways throughout the weekend so we encourage all sports fans in the area to stop by our booth."

About Upper Deck

Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and collectibles company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com.