Many people today might not be aware of the fact that the collectible hobby industry is currently declining in popularity.  This might be due to the fact that collectibles have taken a backseat to technology.  The younger generation of today has taken more of an interest in computers, cell phones, Playstation, Nintendo and Ipods.  The slower pace of yesteryear made collecting a fun pastime for children and their families who did not have all the advances of today to fill their time.  Families used to pass their time collecting coins and stamps.  The baby boom generation made the collectible hobby industry a popular hobby for the individual that wanted to collect any sort of memorabilia.  The collectible hobby industry was turned into a billion dollar industry.  The collecting of sports cards was a very popular hobby for the baby boom generation.  Today, people collect everything from lunch boxes, baseball cards, salt and pepper shakers, stamps, coins, to cars and antique furniture.  Any item in the world that has a demand can be considered a collectible and is open to the collectible hobby industry.  The toys given out in McDonald’s happy meals are often collected.  Beanie Babies also have had their place in the hearts of collectors as well.

Today, collectors can join an actual collecting club specific to their collecting interest.  The members of these clubs represent the knowledge base for the collecting area that the group supports.  They provide a network to other collectors, and friendships that can last a lifetime.  However, these collecting clubs are seeing a decline in their membership and are also experiencing aging memberships.  Collecting clubs are trying to find new ways to reach the younger generation of collectors.  These clubs feel that they have a great service to offer the collector, but are finding that with the technology boom the collectible hobby industry is taking a backseat to other pastimes.  There are large trade shows all over the world that cater to the collectible hobby industry.  Collectors can attend these trade shows to buy collectibles of their choice, swap collectibles and/or receive specific information on collecting.   Collectors can also attend shows that are specific to their item of choice.  For example, a person who collects baseball cards can attend a baseball card show.  Someone who collects cookie jars can attend a cookie jar show.  A vast majority of these trade shows can be found through the internet or a local collectible club.