Three more World Series of Philately exhibitions will not be held in 2023. The American Philatelic Society Board of Directors in mid-June approved “bye” requests for NOJEX and 
the Minnesota Stamp Expo and suspending SEAPEX for violating the World Series of Philately rules.
The World Series of Philately is the APS-accreditation process for national-level competitive exhibitions in the United States and Canada. The shows which host these exhibitions are usually the top stamp collecting shows in North America. A complete list of WSP shows, their dates and other information, can be found here.
NOJEX is held in northern New Jersey (“NOrthern Jersey EXhibition”). According to the APS, “n requesting the 2023 bye from the World Series of Philately, NOJEX Chair Robert Rose informed the APS that the ASDA withdrew from the partnership in April and the NOJEX Committee could not secure a venue at that late date. He also noted, ‘We are committed to returning in 2024.'”
Minnesota Stamp Expo has been held at the Crystal Community Center in Crystal, Minnesota, taking a bye in 2020 due to COVID.
Earlier this year, the City of Crystal began major parking lot renovations to the Crystal Community Center with an expected completion date months before the scheduled dates of the show. In early June, the show committee learned that unexpected construction delays would push completion back to August 2023. After investigating relocating the show or alternative parking options, the show committee determined either action would negatively impact the show’s success.
Both requests were recommended unanimously by the APS’ Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions (CANEJ).
CANEJ also found that SEAPEX, in the Seattle area, had violated three separate WSP Rules, including failure to meet reporting deadlines, failure to maintain the level of excellence expected of a WSP show, and violating one or more WSP Exhibition rules. It recommended suspending SEAPEX pending reforms of the committee organization, website, and proof of a venue for 2024 by January 1, 2024.
SEAPEX is the second WSP suspension in the last year. In November 2022, the APS Board of Directors unanimously approved suspending the WSP status for ARIPEX for 2023. If it has not made the changes stipulated by CANEJ by August 1, its status as a WSP show may be revoked permanently.
COLOPEX, in Columbus, Ohio, earlier received a “bye” for 2023, because of its proximity to Great American Stamp Show 2023 in Cleveland, only about 140 miles away and two months later.
A bye or suspension does not necessarily mean canceling the entire show, only the sanctioned exhibition.
Great American Stamp Show 2023 (“GASS”) is history, but stamp collectors are already getting ready for the next edition, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Meanwhile, the Palmares (exhibit winners) for the three exhibitions at GASS 2023 are here, and the list of literature awards is here. On the left, Nick Lombardi was presented with the Champion of Champions award, for the best philatelic exhibit in the previous 12 months, by APS president Cheryl Ganz. It was the 21st time his exhibit had been in the running for this top award but the first time it had won. It was also the first time an exhibit of post-19th century stamps or covers had won the C of C.
