From industry leaders to seasoned dealers, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo is being hailed as a success.

The Expo, held November 12-15 at the Baltimore Convention Center, attracted larger crowds than the same event last year, according to General Manager David Crenshaw.

“We’re pleased with the results of this year’s winter Baltimore Expo primarily because the dealers and other observers are expressing their satisfaction with it. That’s always our primary measure of success,” Mr. Crenshaw said.

Writing for the Legend Numismatics market report, Laura Sperber declared “The Baltimore show was great for us! And we are not just talking about the usual awesome job Mary Counts and David Crenshaw and staff do. The overall activity was strong.”

From 2pm on Thursday even into Sunday, the aisled on the Bourse floor were full of visitors and most dealers reported doing a brisk business, especially in gold coins.

“The Stack’s auction before the Expo was even stronger than anticipated, and the Official Auction by Bowers and Merena realized more than $8.1 million counting the buyer’s premium,” Mr. Crenshaw said. “It is clear to us now that our September Expo in Philadelphia did not cut into either attendance or activity in Baltimore,” he said.

Even the least welcome guest—the remnants of Hurricane Ida—couldn’t put a damper on the proceedings.

Whitman Expo President Mary Counts said weather concerns early in the week gave way to confidence that the Baltimore show could overcome the rain and colder temperatures that arrived just as the show was set to open.

“Baltimore proved to us once again that it is a strong market in which to host an Expo. Despite inclement weather, the crowds were consistently strong from the opening on through the weekend,” Ms. Counts said.

Continuing in the new tradition established in Philadelphia, the Baltimore Expo offered twists not usually seen at coin shows. Numismatic artist Kimberly Godinho, for example, exhibited her striking canvases, inspired by her own love of collecting great American coins. And latest show updates were shared via Twitter and Facebook.

More than 1,000 dealers were represented, many of whom have already signed up to return for the next Baltimore Expo (March 4-7, 2010) and for the newest stop on the Whitman circuit: Nashville (May 20-22, 2010).

Whitman Expo, LLC is the leading producer of coin and collectibles expos in North America.

For the latest news on the hobby and upcoming expos, visit WhitmanCoinCollecting.com.