BGE Cards, which stands for Brady, Gronk, and Edelman, was inspired by the legendary New England Patriots trio. Tyler and Andy explained that the name reflects both their friendship and their ambitions to build something successful together. What started as a casual idea between friends quickly evolved into a series of card shows that continue to expand throughout the state.
Both Tyler and Andy attend Illinois State University, and their journey into event hosting began after attending smaller card shows throughout the Midwest. They felt there was room for larger, more organized events in Central Illinois and decided to create one themselves. Their first show at Illinois State’s Bone Student Center proved successful, and they’ve continued growing ever since.
The pair described the challenge of finding venues and recruiting vendors, noting that they spend nearly every weekend traveling to card shows around Illinois to network and hand out flyers. Their efforts have paid off, with the Bloomington Card Expo becoming their flagship event. The expo now features around 150 vendor tables and has already been hosted six times. They have also expanded to Vernon Hills, where one of their shows stretches throughout Hawthorn Mall.
Now, BGE Cards is bringing its first event to Dixon at Sauk Valley Community College on May 23 and 24. The weekend will feature a unique format that separates trading card game enthusiasts from sports card collectors. May 23 will focus entirely on Pokémon and trading card games, while May 24 will be dedicated exclusively to sports cards.
Tyler and Andy explained that separating the two communities helps attendees better enjoy the experience. Many sports card collectors often struggle to find what they are looking for at traditional card shows because Pokémon and other trading card games tend to dominate the floor space. Their Dixon event aims to solve that issue by dedicating specific days to each audience.
Vendor tables for the event cost $35, and registration is available through the BGE Cards’ website. Admission for attendees is just $1, with all proceeds being donated to a local animal shelter. The duo shared that giving back to the community has become an important part of their events, and they only charge admission fees when the money is going toward a charitable cause.
The conversation also touched on the pair’s personal love for collecting cards. Tyler recalled visiting sports card shops with family as a child before reconnecting with the hobby through Andy during the COVID era. Together, they began collecting, opening packs, and eventually turning their passion into a business.
They also shared some recent highlights from their collections, including pulling a rare Brock Purdy Ultraviolet card shortly after its release. Another standout moment came when they opened a single pack of Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions and pulled a highly sought-after Espeon secret rare card, convincing them they had already hit their peak for the night.
Emma highlighted how accessible the upcoming Dixon event will be for local collectors and families, especially with Sauk Valley Community College serving as a convenient location and the admission fee benefiting a good cause. Tyler and Andy expressed excitement about bringing their growing card show experience to the Sauk Valley area and creating an event that caters directly to collectors’ interests.
As BGE Cards continues expanding throughout Illinois, Tyler and Andy hope their shows provide more than just buying and selling opportunities. From giveaways for kids to community donations, they aim to create events that bring collectors together while giving back along the way.
Listeners interested in attending or becoming a vendor for the Dixon card show can find more information at bgecards.com.
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