An Open Letter to the Philatelic Community

June 23, 2016

by Wade Saadi
President, World Stamp Show-NY 2016
wade.saadi@ny2016.org

wsslogoWell, the big show is over and many of us who have been planning this extravaganza for more than decade are finally catching our breath. It gives us all a chance to reflect on what we planned and how it all turned out, with the goal of sharing that knowledge and experience with the Boston 2026 team preparing America’s next international philatelic exhibition.

We know you have some immediate questions of us, so allow me to let you know what’s what.

Did the show make money? The simple answer at this time is that it looks like we will make a modest surplus when all is said and done. Just how much is yet to be determined, as we still await invoices from the Javits Center, Freeman our decorators, and several other major suppliers. Really! Final bills can take several months to receive and confirm, or dispute their charges, as our colleagues running Washington 2006 well know. Nothing different here. But initial estimates definitely have us in the black.

How many people came to the show? While thousands of people took advantage of online pre-registration through our web site (thank you!), many thousands more were walk-ins. That wasn’t unexpected. Their hand-written registration slips are being processed now and being added to the attendance database, which will be cleansed of duplication and reported on when ready. Keying these additional registrations into the database on people’s arrival would have caused much longer lines and required additional manpower and equipment that would have been cost prohibitive. So doing this afterwards made sense, and kept thousands more dollars to our bottom line. Hiring help or lining up volunteers to get a “click count” of people going onto the show floor would not have given us accurate numbers. How many times do you think people went in and out over their visit to get food or see the Jenny on display in the lobby, go downstairs to attend first day ceremonies or meetings or auctions, visit the NYC sites and then returning? You get the idea. Waiting for a true count will be worth the delay in getting these legitimate numbers out in just a few more weeks.

What are attendees saying? You can probably imagine the hundreds of emails I have been receiving from visitors around the world congratulating the show committee on putting on a spectacular show. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many and truly appreciated by everyone. Several show-goers passed along suggestions for improvements that we are reviewing and will get these to the Boston team. All feedback continues to be much appreciated.

Were dealers pleased? In the song “Home on the Range” there’s a line that goes, “Where seldom is heard a discouraging word.” That pretty well sums it up. Several dealers reported recouping their booth and show costs after the first two days of the show. I saw patrons three-deep at one dealer’s booth continually that first weekend. That wasn’t every dealer’s experience, but those I’ve reached out to or contacted me were extremely happy with the turnout and the results. The same can be said for the many postal administrations manning booths.

Our Committee is in the process of preparing an official report that will be presented to the APS Board in August at Stampshow in Portland. I will be giving attendees to Saturday’s APS membership meeting a brief review of the show, answering some of the remaining questions above.

The biggest challenge awaits us: How do we capitalize on this great event for the good of philately’s future? Every one of us should be working on that now. Can we find an easy way to inform casual collectors of upcoming shows in their area on a regular basis to help bolster attendance? How about inviting them to attend a local stamp club meeting to foster their budding philatelic passion, or join the APS or a specialty society? Can we help them start a new stamp collecting club?

I can’t end this message without giving a heart-felt thanks to everyone who assisted making World Stamp Show-NY 2016 such a success. Hundreds of collectors (and some of their family members!) came forth before, during and after the show offering their time and talents in a variety of roles for a few hours or days on end. And remember—everyone was a volunteer! That fact was even more impressive to the professionals at the Javits Center, Freeman Decorating and others who put on shows like this all the time and get paid for doing the many tasks our volunteers took upon their yoke, albeit a happy burden.

Isn’t that our ultimate legacy? The people we meet along the way who become our friends and share our philatelic passion eventually eclipse the very pieces of paper we so eagerly seek.

See you in Portland,

Wade Saadi

WSS-NY16 Exhibits Listing Now Available

April 10, 2016

For Immediate Release

Exhibits Listing Now Available

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 is pleased to announce that the listings of competitive philatelic and literature exhibits are now posted on its web site at http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Exhibits_Listing.aspx?id=495.

Available in two versions, sorted by frame number and also by exhibitor last name, the details will be useful for those planning a visit to the exhibition, as well as collectors interested in seeing the depth and breadth of subjects on display and in print. These will be updated whenever possible, as minor changes are expected.

The Exhibits Selection Committee received applications for many more frames than were initially available. In fact, the initial allocation of 3,800 competitive frames was increased to meet some of the demand.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 Commissioner General Stephen D. Schumann and Judges & Judging Chairman Stephen Reinhard commented, “These are the finest selections of competitive exhibits to be shown at a World Philatelic Exhibition in many years. The selection process was very difficult, considering we had over 6,500 frames applied for and we could only accommodate 4,125.”

A complete breakdown of frames among the 700 different exhibits is on the web site. Summarizing those results, Postal History leads the way with 204 exhibits, followed by Traditional with 159, Single Frame with 82, Thematic with 61, Youth with 52, and the remaining classes making up the difference.

Also online is the list of 175 literature entries. Like their stamp counterparts, application requests far exceeded initial estimates. These entries are in one of three classes: A: Philatelic books and research papers; B. Philatelic magazines and periodicals; and C. Catalogs. Accepted entries in each class were 103, 38, and 34 respectively.

The medal design for the exhibition was recently released. A very limited quantity of WSS-NY 2016 medals are being custom die struck in antique bronze, measuring 2” x 3” inches and weighing almost eight ounces.

Designed by Niko Courtelis, it features the show logo on the obverse within a raised stamp border, while the back features a stylized magnifying glass that creates an area for medal recipients’ names to be custom engraved.

The medals are being minted by the Northwest Territorial Mint/Medallic Art Company using 900 tons of pressure at a production facilities in Northern Nevada. Medallic Art Company (http://www.medallic.com/) was founded in 1903 and is American owned and operated.

The last of the exhibit frames are on the way from the Texas manufacturing facility to the New Jersey warehouse to join the rest that have already arrived. All will be set up by Javits Center staff and ready for loading by Wednesday, May 25. The frames are available for sale at the conclusion of the show. Anyone interested in purchasing them should email christine.jimenez@ny2016.org as soon as possible for details.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 takes place May 28-June 4 at the Javits Center in New York City. All 8 days will be filled with meetings and seminars, 200 dealers and postal administrations to browse through, first day ceremonies, and much, much more. Check out more information on the show home page at www.ny2016.org and as well as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Thomas M. Fortunato
Rochester, NY
Chairman, Marketing and Public Relations
World Stamp Show- NY 2016
http://www.ny2016.org
Join us May 28-June 4, 2016
Javits Center, New York City

Gems Abound in WSS-NY 2016

March 24, 2016
For Immediate Release

Gems Abound in WSS-NY 2016

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 is pleased to announce that it has finalized arrangements to display an unprecedented array of priceless philatelic material in the exhibition’s Court of Honor and Invited Exhibits. Many can be viewed online here: http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Rarities_on_Display.aspx?id=484.

British_Guiana_13The world’s most valuable stamp will be there, the unique British Guiana one cent magenta, which was sold at auction June 17, 2014 for $9.48 million dollars to fashion shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. Its celebrated story of being found in 1873 by a 12 year old schoolboy is legendary. The stamp is on a three-year loan to the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum and will be in a special display case at their booth through Friday of the show.

The world’s first two postage stamps will be represented by truly remarkable items courtesy of The Postal Museum of Great Britain and their National Archives. Two specially designed frames will feature two sheets: the very first printed registration sheet of the Penny Black, plate 1 before hardening, dated April 15, 1840; and the earliest known example of the two penny blue, a sheet from plate 3 from January 1841. Both sheets, nyprovisionalsoriginally of 240 examples, are nearly intact with just a couple dozen of each removed. The 1d sheet has never been shown outside of the United Kingdom, while the 2d sheet has never been on public display anywhere. A presentation about them, “Postal Reform & the Penny Black,” will be given at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 31 by Douglas N. Muir, Senior Curator, Philately, The Postal Museum.

The earliest known example of the Penny Black postage stamp from the collection of Alan Holyoake will also be on display. It was recently discovered in the personal archive of Robert Wallace, the leading postal reformer of the time, who created an archive of items panaminvertdealing with Great Britain’s penny postage program of 1840. The stamp, lettered A I, comes from the first row of the sheet printed from the first printing plate 1a completed on April 8, 1840. The stamp is attached on a sheet of stout paper together with a proof of a Mulready, as presented by Rowland Hill to the Council of Academicians on April 10 for approval of the proposed design, which was enthusiastically given. At the top of this sheet Wallace inscribed in his own hand, “1st Proof of Penny Postage Stamp Cover, presented to Mr. Wallace by the Right Honable. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Francis Thornhill Baring, April 10th, 1840.” and endorsed beneath the stamp, “Universal Penny Postage Fly or Loose Stamp, presented to me Mr Wallace as above” and noted “ These come into public use on the 6th of May 1840”.

mauritiusballenvelopeThe postal history of the small Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is forever entwined with the story behind its first issue of 1847. Lady Gomm, wife of the governor, was planning a lavish ball and decorated the invitation envelopes with new-fangled postage stamps hastily produced by a local watch maker. Each was to have been inscribed “Post Paid,” but shortly after being released were found to bear “Post Office” instead. It is believed fourteen 1d orange red and twelve 2d deep blue stamps have survived, along with only three Ball covers. The only such cover in public hands will be on display, from the collection of Vikramm Chand.

All of these rarities and many more await visitors to World Stamp Show-NY 2016. The 8 day exhibition takes place May 28 through June 4 at the Javits Center in New York City. Discover more online at http://www.ny2016.org. Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest sites.

WSS-NY 2016 Newsletter 11 Released

February 28, 2016
For Immediate Release

Newsletter 11 Released

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 has issued its eleventh and final quarterly newsletter exactly three months before it opens its doors on Saturday, May 28. The exhibition runs for 8 days through June 4 at the Javits Center in New York City.

The newsletter is the organization’s largest with 12 pages of the latest details about the once-a-decade event. It may be downloaded directly from http://www.ny2016.org/images/ny2016newsletters/2016-02-newsletter11.pdf.

As exhibition president Wade Saadi explains in his opening column, “World Stamp Show-NY 2016 will have something for every collector and in most cases, way more material than you can consume.”

Four of the seven USPS first day of issue releases scheduled to take place are depicted. News about the UN Postal Administration’s Peacekeeper issue with a preliminary image and 65th UNPA Anniversary personalized sheet ceremonies is also referenced. Show theme days and subjects are now set.

The hotel room rate discounts arranged by the show will end as of April 23 when the properties revert to full price. Attendees are asked to making reservations now to avoid disappointment. Maps of the show-sponsored hotels in New York and New Jersey are found at the end of the newsletter.

Preliminary exhibitor details are given for the first time. There are 4,118 frames among all competitive classes totaling 697 exhibits from 76 different countries.

The 128 attending societies and organizations manning booths and/or sponsoring meetings is believed to be a record number for any international exhibition. The complete schedule of meetings and events can be found online at http://www.ny2016.org/EventCalendar.aspx. It is updated regularly.

The dealer and postal administration listing is simply too large to include in the newsletter. The updated list can be viewed online at http://www.ny2016.org/NY_2016_Dealer_Search.aspx and http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Postal_Adminstrations.aspx?id=512, respectively. Collectors are encouraged to contact dealers directly before the show to express their interests.

Full show information is online at http://www.ny2016.org. Send questions to info@ny2016.org and check out show social media site links.

Thomas M. Fortunato
Rochester, NY
Chairman, Marketing and Public Relations
World Stamp Show- NY 2016
http://www.ny2016.org
Join us May 28-June 4, 2016
Javits Center, New York City

WSS-NY 2016 Promotional Material Available

January 20, 2016
For Immediate Release

WSS-NY 2016 Promotional Material Available

The World Stamp Show-NY 2016 Organizing Committee is making available a wealth of electronic files and handouts to assist others spread the word about this 8-day extravaganza taking place May 28-June 4 at the Javits Center in New York City.

Stamp shows large and small taking place between now and May can request a packet of material for their freebie table. Brochures, pamphlets, stickers, pins and souvenirs will be sent while supplies last. Request these directly by email from Christine Jimenez, WSS-NY 2016 Executive Assistant, at christine.jimenez@ny2016.org.

A brand new “All About WSS-NY 2016” production is available for downloading in both PowerPoint and PDF formats. The 30 slides provide viewers with the historical background of the show, updated information about getting to and around the New York City area, show features and attractions. Anyone considering a trip to the show will find this of interest. Stamp clubs looking for a timely ready-made presentation will also find this valuable. It premiered at the APS AmeriStamp Expo 2016 in Atlanta.

A show advertising blitz is underway in major US and worldwide philatelic print publications. Ads created for these are available in hi-resolution PDF format in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and (soon to be posted) Chinese in a variety of sizes. Any may be reproduced by philatelic editors for their own periodicals, programs, etc. As a courtesy, the show would appreciate knowing how and when these are being published, and receive a sample copy sent to headquarters if possible.

The presentation and ads can be found on the show’s Graphics/Ads page at http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Graphics_Ads.aspx?id=489. Show logos in numerous sizes and formats are there, too, for anyone’s use in print or electronic media.

To paraphrase Frank Sinatra’s famous hit, “Keep spreading the news!”
Questions on any of the above, or about World Stamp Show-NY 2016 in general, may be sent to info@ny2016.org. Remember to check out Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Thomas M. Fortunato
Chairman, Marketing & Public Relations
thomas.fortunato@ny2016.org
stamptmf@frontiernet.net

WSS-NY 2016 Final Meeting Room Call

January 5, 2016

For Immediate Release

WSS-NY 2016 Final Meeting Room Call

With World Stamp Show-NY 2016 rapidly approaching, this is the “final call” for reserving meeting rooms for use during its 8 day run from May 28 to June 4 at the Javits Center in New York City.

The show has received an overwhelming response from philatelic organizations around the world requesting space to hold meetings and seminars. As of this time 111 groups from several countries will be participating, totaling over 210 gatherings and 300+ hours of presentations.

Rod Juell, Society and Affiliates Chair, explains further.

“We have 16 rooms from 8 AM to 6 PM daily that have been filling up as seen on our events calendar at http://www.ny2016.org/EventCalendar.aspxwww.ny2016.org and on the daily listing sheets at http://www.ny2016.org/pdf/NY2016_meetings_and_events.pdf. We still have 1 and 2 hour slots available most days on a first-come basis and at no charge for societies looking for meeting room space. It will be another 10 years before another opportunity like this takes place.”

Only reservations made by January 29 can be guaranteed a listing in the official show program. Presentations not only for established collectors, but introductory talks that may be of interest to newcomers and casual collectors are especially encouraged.

Juell further reminds those who have already scheduled events to review their online listing for completeness and accuracy. Presentation titles and presenter names, when appropriate, should accompany every event.

Listing updates, room inquiries and questions are to be emailed to him as soon as possible at rodney.juell@ny2016.org.

Complete show information is available online at www.ny2016.org as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Thomas M. Fortunato

Rochester, NY

Chairman, Marketing and Public Relations

World Stamp Show- NY 2016

http://www.ny2016.org

Join us May 28-June 4, 2016

Javits Center, New York City

World Stamp Show-NY 2016: Grant Received for Major Attraction

December 18, 2015

Grant Received for Major Attraction

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the TurningPoint Foundation of $25,000 to fund the enclosed 32 seat theater within the “Welcome to Stamp Collecting Pavilion” on the exhibition floor.

The 5,000 square foot pavilion is being designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the fun of stamp collecting. There are separate sections for youth and adults that will be staffed by knowledgeable philatelists who will guide them through activities and answer questions.

It will be the first destination for all school groups attending WSS-NY 2016. On arrival kids will receive a stamp goodie package filled with a stamp packet, activity booklet and a stamp passport to take home. They will then be brought into the theater to see short video productions prepared by a variety of organizations, including the American Philatelic Society, the National Postal Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library and the San Jose Stamp Club. Afterwards they can wander and participate in a variety of stamp hunts, electronic games and mini-classes.

Outreach to adult beginners is equally important and a focus of the pavilion. They, too, may watch videos in the theater produced specifically for them, emphasizing the family-friendly lifetime learning aspects of philately. Adults will be introduced to the very successful APS StampBuddy program (http://stamps.org/stampbuddy) to assist them in their hobby endeavors and then partake in their own activities.

The “TurningPoint Foundation Pavilion Theater” is being named after the ten year old Dallas-based organization. Its philanthropic focus is on education and arts projects benefitting a wide range of non-profit groups. A supporter of philately, it is making a substantial multi-year donation to establishing the “Byrne Education Loft” at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and has been a major contributor to the APS Stamps Teach program (http://stamps.org/stamps-teach).

“TurningPoint Foundation is delighted to support the Pavilion Theater at the World Stamp Show. It will be an important part of educating school groups and the public about the rich history of stamps and collecting,” said Molly Byrne, the organization’s president.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 takes place May 28 through June 4 at the Javits Center in New York City. Admission is free to this once-a-decade event. Show information can be found online at www.ny2016.org as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

WSS-NY 2016 Hotel Rooms Hot Sellers

November 7, 2015
For Immediate Release

WSS-NY 2016 Hotel Rooms Hot Sellers

After just a few weeks of availability, three hotel properties are nearly sold out of rooms reserved for visitors to World Stamp Show-NY 2016, taking place May 28-June 3 at the Javits Center in New York City.

Weekly hotel room updates continue to be sent to the show’s Executive Committee by Experient, the hotel consolidator. A total of 27 properties in New York City and nearby New Jersey were selected offering discounts to show-goers covering roughly 15,000 room nights over the show’s 8 day run.

Wade Saadi, WSS-NY 2016’s President, explained further.

“Hearing that three hotels already are booked 89%, 93% and 94% more than six months before the show opens sends a strong signal that we have a lot of collectors and their families anxious for our doors to open and take advantage of the great deals. Room reservations will only accelerate in the next month as hundreds of exhibitors around the world learn that their entries have been accepted to take part in the competition.”

Experient additionally expressed their pleasure in the brisk reservation rate for the other hotels and encourages anyone planning to attend to make their selection as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

A link to the reservations page can be found on the World Stamp Show-NY 2016 home page at http://www.ny2016.org. A credit card guarantee is all that is needed to hold a room, with payment not due until arrival in May or June.

Thomas M. Fortunato
Rochester, NY
Chairman, Marketing and Public Relations
World Stamp Show- NY 2016
http://www.ny2016.org
Join us May 28-June 4, 2016
Javits Center, New York City

APS Senior Staffers Join World Stamp Show-NY 2016

September 21, 2015
For Immediate Release

APS Senior Staffers Join World Stamp Show-NY 2016

Two recent hires of the American Philatelic Society are joining current APS Chief Operating Officer Ken Martin as ex-officio members of the World Stamp Show-NY 2016 team.

Scott English is the newly named American Philatelic Society Executive Director, assuming the helm on August 10. From January through August he was the Chief of Staff of U.S. Representative Mark Sanford of South Carolina. Scott served as the Chief Operating Officer of that state’s Department of Education from 2011-2015, before which he was then Governor Sanford’s Chief of Staff. He held numerous positions with Sanford beginning in 1996. Scott is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

Megan Orient was appointed the APS Manager of Shows and Exhibitions in May. For over 15 years she has been serving nonprofit organizations in a variety of management and operational roles. Her collegiate background was in secondary education, receiving a BS degree from Penn State, and later graduating from the Southeast Tourism Society’s program for Tourism Marketing Professionals. Megan’s forte has been in event planning, both domestically and internationally, as well as grant writing and project/facilities management.

Their backgrounds in these broad areas compliment the experience already on the WSS-NY 2016 Organizing Committee. Quoting show President Wade Saadi, “We are very fortunate to have their participation. These APS leaders will play a significant role in making our show a success. We thank all three and welcome them to our organization.”

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 takes place May 28-June 4 at New York City’s Javits Center. Read more information about the international exhibition on the web at www.ny2016.org, or check out the show’s Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts.

WSS-NY 2016 Newsletter 8 Released

With its doors opening in just one year on May 28, 2016, the World Stamp Show-NY 2016 organizing committee is celebrating the milestone by releasing its eight quarterly newsletter. It can be downloaded directly at http://www.ny2016.org/images/ny2016newsletters/2015-05-28-newsletter8.pdf.

As stated in President Wade Saadi’s lead article, “Our goal is simple–to make your stay at the exhibition an enjoyable and pleasantly unforgettable one!” This issue gives show-goers a summary of many aspects of the once-a-decade philatelic event.

An updated roster of participating societies is included in the newsletter along with their assigned meeting dates, as is the current list of dealers, postal administrations and official auctioneers attending from around the world. A first glimpse of the floor plan is found on the last page.

Collectors signed up to receive email updates in the NY 2016 database will be the first to learn about discount accommodation rates offered by the show’s hotel consolidator, Experient, in June. The special myNY2016 calendar feature on the NY 2016 web site will be operational shortly thereafter, allowing everyone to plan their own personal timetable of show meetings and events.

Several dinners sponsored by major societies and organizations are already scheduled. A variety of suggested off-site cultural and sporting activities will be published daily to allow attendees and non-collecting family members the opportunity to enjoy what the “Big Apple” has to offer days and evenings.

Other articles include several summarizing exhibitor information, the availability of a NY 2016 philatelic passport, Liberty Club memberships, and more.

In late breaking news, WSS-NY 2016 is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Jimenez as the show’s Executive Assistant, handling day-to-day activities of the exhibition as of May 18 at the Collectors Club.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 takes place May 28-June 4, 2016 at the Javits Center in New York City. Admission all 8 days is free. To learn more, visit http://www.ny2016.org, email info@ny2016.org, and check out the show’s Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest sites.

thomas.fortunato@ny2016.org