More hotel rooms available: The second block of rooms for Great American Stamp Show 2024 is now online: Click here or call Hilton at {800} 754-7941 and request the “APS Stamp Show” room block.

But this block at the Hilton was also getting snatched up. The APS is planning a third group of rooms, but at some point, the tap will run dry.

Remember that your credit card will not be charged until you check in and you can cancel your reservation at no charge until a few days before check-in. Never use a debit card for a hotel stay.

Stay Sunday night: The AFDCS again plans a “Dutch treat” post-show dinner at a local restaurant. It’s a great social event, a chance to unwind after the show and discuss your philatelic successes or your (grand)children. We’re still working on details.

No AFDCS events are planned for Monday, but travel in the summer is better during the day on a weekday during the summer anyway.

DASH around Hartford: The city has a free downtown shuttle bus service, called DASH. Normally it only runs Monday through Friday 7 to 7, but service is being extended for GASS 2024. Its stops include the convention center/Marriott, the Hilton, the art museum, the train station, and historic sites. Click here for a route map.

Inexpensive Airport Shuttle: It appears CT Transit has a $1.75 bus to and from the airport, the Bradley Flyer, with stops at the convention center and train station. We’re still checking it out. (If you’ve used it recently, please let us know how well it works.) Shuttle Information By the way, the airport’s code is “BDL” (Bradley).

Exhibit: Great American Stamp Show 2024 has a separate Americover 2024 first day cover exhibit of 156 frames. Entry forms are due May 3rd.

Also, there will be a discussion of where we stand on international exhibiting of FDCs on Saturday. The outlook is good!

Connect Online: While the AFDCS website is undergoing reconstruction, visit us on Facebook, either the Americover page (search for “Americover”) or the AFDCS group.

Also check out the APS’ GASS section.

The second block of rooms for Great American Stamp Show 2024 in Hartford is now online: Use this link or go to the APS website’s GASS section. Don’t wait! Last year, the second block sold out quickly. You won’t be charged for your rooms until you check in, so there’s no reason not to book now.

If you are told “your dates are not available” (or something like that), modify the dates. Earlier Friday, within hours of the new block being posted, Sunday night had sold out (and was re-stocked by the APS). You can then change the dates closer to the show.

The Hilton is at 315 Trumbull Street, about 8/10 of a mile from the convention center (according to Google Maps, and depending on the entrances used for either building). It is also on the DASH free shuttle bus service which will be extended for those attending GASS: 7 am to 11 pm Wednesday through Saturday and 7 am to 5 pm on Sunday. It also goes other places of possible interest to those attending the show. A map can be found here or you can click on this picture for a larger version without the “stops” listed.

The convention center is at 100 Columbus Boulevard.

From the AFDCS:

Have you booked your hotel rooms yet? The initial block of rooms arranged by the APS at the adjacent Marriott is all but sold out — just like last year. The APS is working on more rooms — just like last year — and most are likely to be at another hotel nearby. And — just like last year — that second hotel will sell out and you’ll be on your own.

The APS prices are often better than what you can get on your own. Many of the early morning and evening events will be at the Marriott, the “show hotel.”

The AFDCS doesn’t get any benefit from where you stay; we just want our members to have a great time at the show, so reserve your rooms today. (You can always cancel or change later.) Start at www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/travel

GASS 2024 Preregistration is now open. Save time (and get a better badge!) at https://stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/preregistration

New Show Chair: Catherine O’Connor will steer our Americover efforts, after many years of great leadership from Foster Miller. You can still reach the committee at showinfo@afdcs.org Foster still heads our Sales and Membership Departments.

Chris Calle (right) will design the official show cachet and will be at the AFDCS booth during the show to autograph covers and chat with collectors. There will be at least two pictorial postmarks each day plus the first-day cancels for Pinback Buttons and Autumn Colors.

ATA is celebrating its 75th anniversary at the show. Like the AFDCS and APS, the American Topical Association is a cosponsor of GASS, and plans a two-hour celebration Friday afternoon.

Volunteer! We are looking for members to help staff the AFDCS booth. Shifts generally run about two hours. The tasks may include sales, talking about first day covers, and referring those with collections to an appropriate dealer. Contact Americover 2024 volunteer coordinator Ralph Nafziger, nafziger@peak.org if interested. The APS is also looking for volunteers, especially in putting up exhibits and working the registration booth, and has details on its website at www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/volunteer

Connect Online: While the AFDCS website is undergoing reconstruction, visit us on Facebook, either the Americover page (search for “Americover”) or the AFDCS group, www.facebook.com/groups/afdcs

If you are having trouble booking your hotel rooms for Great American Stamp Show 2024 at the show hotel (Hartford Marriott), try again later this week. But, yes, the initial block of rooms is almost completely sold out! The APS is working to secure a block of rooms at a second hotel.

For the link to the hotel reservations at the Great American Stamp Show rate, go to www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show . Travel / hotel is the second item on the left, or go directly to www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/travel

The show is August 15-18. It includes Americover 2024, the 69th annual convention of the American First Day Cover Society. Pre-registration is now open, too. It’s free and non-binding.