By Andrew Candio
The chemistry was just right for Rebecca Seepersad at the Long Island Trading Card Game Show last week in Melville. For Seepersad—a physics and chemistry teacher in Baldwin—the event wasn’t just a business venture; it was a passion project that grew beyond what she ever imagined.
“And so I’m a teacher. When I first started this, I never intended for it to be a business. I just really wanted to do it for fun and to bring it to everybody else who wanted to do it for fun as well,” said Seepersad, who is also the president of Seepersad Entertainment Inc.
The show, held at the Hilton Hotel in Melville, drew an estimated 2,000 attendees and featured 107 vendors from across the region offering collections of Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Dragon Ball Z cards, alongside iconic and rare figurines—including those from the famous Funko Pop brand. The event marked a significant milestone for a niche yet booming market on Long Island. A larger show is already scheduled for May 3 and 4 at the Nassau Coliseum.
Frustrated by the lack of local trading card events, Seepersad hosted her first show in June 2023, determined to bring the excitement home. With the help of two close friends, she transformed her lifelong passion for Pokémon into an annual celebration of trading cards.
“I want people to experience this that don’t have it near them,” she said.
The event continues to evolve, with new vendors adding fresh energy. Among them was first-time exhibitor Patrick Hughes, who has collected Dragon Ball Z cards since the early 2000s. He introduced a dedicated DBZ section, giving longtime fans a space to connect over the franchise. He emphasized that the true significance of trading card conventions lies in their ability to “bring people together and allow them to enjoy something that is kind of a separation from the struggles of everyday life.”
Another vendor, Lewis Loza, highlighted the communal spirit that underpins the event. “It’s all about uniting like-minded people, sharing the energy and nostalgia of our childhood passions, and enjoying collectibles that spark joy,” Loza said. Among his prized items was his original Nintendo 64 Mario Party 2, a piece that perfectly encapsulates the sentimental value these hobbies carry.
The Long Island TCG Show isn’t the only event Seepersad has spearheaded. She has experimented with unique formats to keep the momentum alive, including the July 2024 “Chew N Brew” event at Great South Bay Brewery, which featured a live performance by Jason Page, the singer of the original Pokémon theme song. With creatively themed beverages like Bulbasaur Beer, Hoppip IPA, and Palletown Pilsner, the event blended trading cards, music, and craft drinks into a one-of-a-kind fan experience.
Future plans include a Chew N Brew trade night at Riverhead Cider House, along with expansions to Rockland County, Westchester County, and Saratoga Springs, ensuring that the spirit of the show reaches collectors far and wide. There’s also a Chew N Brew trade event on March 30.
Though running the show keeps her too busy to join in the fun, Seepersad wouldn’t have it any other way. As Long Island’s trading card scene continues to grow, so does her mission to create a space where collectors, old and new, can find community, nostalgia, and a little bit of magic in every trade.
“I wanted to do this so I could enjoy it, and I can’t because I’m running it,” Seepersad said. “So it’s okay, though, because everybody else can enjoy it.”
For a list of every con coming up on Long Island in 2025 click here.
Andrew Candio is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Photos by Andrew Candio.
