CTCA Trusted Show™
A Higher Standard
for Card Shows.
Card shows are one of the foundations of the trading card hobby.
The CTCA Trusted Show Certification recognizes shows and promoters that commit to defined standards for professionalism, transparency, vendor accountability, collector protection, security, and responsible show operations.
For Promoters. For Vendors. For Collectors. For the Hobby.
Standards. Transparency. Accountability. Trust.
Not All Card Shows Are Operated the Same.
The number and variety of trading card shows continues to grow—from local community events to major regional and national shows.
Growth creates opportunity, but it also creates a need for recognizable standards.
Collectors, vendors, sponsors, venues, and industry partners should have a way to identify shows whose organizers have voluntarily committed to defined professional practices.
The CTCA Trusted Show Certification provides that trust signal.
FOR COLLECTORS
Greater transparency about the shows they attend and the standards those shows have committed to.
FOR VENDORS
Greater confidence in show organization, policies, communication, and expectations.
FOR PROMOTERS
A way for quality operators to differentiate their shows.
FOR INDUSTRY PARTNERS
A recognizable standard that can help inform sponsorships, partnerships, and participation.
What Does "Trusted Show" Mean?
Trust Starts Before the Doors Open.
A CTCA Trusted Show is a show whose organizer has completed applicable CTCA certification requirements and committed to defined standards governing how the event is promoted, organized, operated, and managed.
VERIFIED
Applicable promoter and business information has been verified.
PROFESSIONAL
The show agrees to defined standards for professional event operations.
TRANSPARENT
Vendors and attendees receive clear information regarding applicable show policies, fees, rules, schedules, and expectations.
SAFETY-CONSCIOUS
The promoter maintains appropriate policies and procedures addressing show security, incidents, and participant safety.
ACCOUNTABLE
The promoter agrees to CTCA certification requirements and applicable review and disciplinary procedures.
A Trusted Show designation does not mean CTCA guarantees every vendor, product, transaction, attendee, or occurrence at an event. It means the show/promoter has satisfied applicable CTCA certification requirements and committed to maintaining the Trusted Show standards.
The Trusted Show Standards
What Does a Trusted Show Commit To?
Accurate Show Representation
Accurately represent event dates, location, hours, admission, show size, participating vendors, guests, activities, and other material show information.
Transparent Vendor Terms
Clearly communicate applicable vendor fees, table arrangements, cancellation policies, show rules, schedules, and other material terms.
Professional Show Operations
Maintain reasonable organizational processes for vendor onboarding, event setup, attendee access, communication, and show management.
Vendor Standards
Establish and communicate appropriate rules governing vendor conduct and permitted selling activities.
Collector Protection
Maintain policies designed to discourage counterfeit products, fraud, deceptive practices, stolen property, and other prohibited conduct.
Security & Incident Preparedness
Maintain reasonable security and incident-response practices appropriate for the size and nature of the event.
Responsible Product Practices
Maintain and enforce applicable show policies regarding prohibited, restricted, counterfeit, fraudulent, or materially misrepresented products.
Pricing & Fee Transparency
Clearly communicate applicable admission costs, vendor fees, premiums, or other material event charges.
Professional Conduct
Promoters and show representatives agree to conduct themselves professionally with attendees, vendors, venues, sponsors, and other participants.
Complaint & Incident Cooperation
Maintain a process for receiving concerns during the event and cooperate with applicable CTCA review processes.
Applicable Legal & Venue Compliance
Operate in accordance with applicable laws, venue requirements, permits, contracts, and event rules.
Trusted Seller Advancement
Support CTCA's effort to expand seller verification and accountability throughout the show ecosystem.
CTCA Accountability
Maintain Trusted Show certification requirements and understand that serious or repeated violations may result in corrective action, suspension, or revocation.
The Trusted Show + Trusted Seller Connection
Trust the Show. Know the Seller.
A Trusted Show establishes standards for the event.
A Trusted Seller establishes standards for the seller.
Together, they create a stronger trust environment for collectors.
CTCA Trusted Show™
The Environment
- Professional Show Standards
- Promoter Verification
- Transparent Policies
- Security & Incident Procedures
- Vendor Expectations
CTCA Trusted Seller™
The Seller
- Seller Verification
- Seller Code of Conduct
- Education
- Public Certification Status
- Accountability
A More Trusted
Show Floor
CTCA Trusted Shows should actively encourage participating vendors to become CTCA Trusted Sellers.
The program architecture should also allow CTCA to establish higher Trusted Show levels or requirements in the future based upon the percentage of participating vendors who are Trusted Sellers.
How Certification Works
Become a CTCA Trusted Show
APPLY
The show promoter submits a Trusted Show application.
VERIFY
CTCA verifies applicable promoter, organization, and event information.
REVIEW
CTCA reviews applicable show policies, vendor practices, and certification requirements.
COMMIT
The promoter agrees to the CTCA Trusted Show Code of Conduct and program requirements.
CERTIFY
Approved events receive CTCA Trusted Show certification and a unique certification identifier.
PROMOTE
The promoter may use the applicable CTCA Trusted Show certification mark for the certified event in accordance with CTCA usage requirements.
DELIVER
The promoter operates the event in accordance with the Trusted Show standards.
MAINTAIN
Certification status remains subject to applicable CTCA program requirements and review.
Public Show Verification
Don't Just See the Logo. Verify the Show.
Every certified Trusted Show should eventually have a public CTCA verification page.
CTCA Trusted Show™
Example Card Show
Promoted by: Example Promotions LLC
St. Louis, Missouri
October 17–18, 2026
Trusted Show ID: TS-000123
Why Promoters Should Become Certified
Make Trust a Competitive Advantage.
DIFFERENTIATE YOUR SHOW
Demonstrate that your event has voluntarily committed to independent industry standards.
BUILD COLLECTOR CONFIDENCE
Give attendees another reason to feel confident when choosing which shows to attend.
ATTRACT QUALITY VENDORS
Demonstrate clear expectations and professional operating standards.
ATTRACT INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Provide sponsors, platforms, manufacturers, grading companies, and other organizations with an independent trust signal.
DISPLAY THE TRUSTED SHOW MARK
Use the applicable CTCA Trusted Show certification mark in approved advertising and promotional materials.
PUBLIC VERIFICATION
Give attendees and vendors the ability to verify the show's current certification status.
CTCA DIRECTORY
Eligible certified events can appear in the CTCA Trusted Show directory.
TRUSTED SELLER INTEGRATION
Connect your vendor onboarding process with the CTCA Trusted Seller program.
For Vendors
Better Shows Are Better for Sellers.
Trusted Show isn't only about protecting collectors.
Professional sellers invest significant money in tables, inventory, travel, hotels, staffing, and transportation when participating in shows.
Vendors deserve transparency too.
A Trusted Show commits to applicable standards concerning:
Vendor Terms
Clear applicable pricing, policies, schedules, and expectations.
Communication
Professional communication before and during the event.
Organization
Defined setup, breakdown, access, and show procedures.
Security
Reasonable security and incident procedures appropriate for the event.
Accountability
A promoter willing to operate under independent certification standards.
Are You a Seller?
Become a CTCA Trusted Seller and bring your own trust signal to every show you attend.
Become a Trusted SellerFor Collectors
Look for the Trusted Show Mark.
Before attending a show, collectors should be able to verify whether the event's Trusted Show certification is active.
At participating shows, collectors should also be encouraged to:
Look for CTCA Trusted Sellers
Verify seller TSIDs
Trust Check eligible graded cards through the GTCR
Report serious concerns through appropriate show and CTCA channels
For Sponsors & Industry Partners
Support Shows That Support Standards.
Trading card manufacturers, marketplaces, grading companies, platforms, distributors, payment providers, insurers, and other industry organizations invest significant resources sponsoring and participating in card shows.
CTCA Trusted Show provides an independent framework that industry partners can consider when evaluating event relationships.
Industry partners may choose to:
- Encourage Trusted Show certification
- Prioritize certified events
- Sponsor Trusted Shows
- Encourage participating vendors to become Trusted Sellers
- Integrate CTCA trust programs into event activations
Interested in supporting the Trusted Show network?
Contact CTCAComplaints & Accountability
Certification Must Mean Something.
Collectors, vendors, sponsors, venues, and other participants who believe a Trusted Show may have violated applicable CTCA standards may submit a documented concern.
CTCA may review potential violations in accordance with applicable program policies.
CTCA Trusted Show certification does not guarantee the safety, legality, quality, financial performance, products, vendors, attendees, transactions, or outcome of any event. CTCA is not the event organizer, marketplace, insurer, payment processor, security provider, law enforcement agency, or guarantor of transactions occurring at certified shows. Certification reflects satisfaction of applicable CTCA program requirements and continued eligibility under CTCA policies.
CTCA Trust Infrastructure
One Hobby. Multiple Points of Trust.
TRUSTED SHOW™
Trust the environment.
TRUSTED SELLER™
Trust standards for sellers.
TRUSTED RETAILER™
Trust standards for hobby retail businesses.
CERTIFIED BREAKER™
Trust standards for breakers.
GLOBAL TRADING CARD REGISTRY
Trust infrastructure for graded-card ownership, verification, and transfers.
Different Programs. One Trust Infrastructure.
CTCA is building independent standards and trust signals across the trading card ecosystem to help create a safer, smarter, stronger hobby.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Show Is More Than
Tables and a Venue.
It's an experience collectors and vendors are trusting you to deliver.
Show them what your standards are.
Become a CTCA Trusted Show™.
Standards. Transparency. Accountability. Trust.