From the show committee:

We regret to announce that circumstances have forced us to cancel the 2023 Minnesota Stamp Expo. This is very disappointing to the show committee and our sponsoring clubs.

Our show is held at the Crystal Community Center, the show venue since 1999. This spring we were informed that the City of Crystal elected to undertake a major renovation of the Center’s main parking lot, with space for 300 vehicles. The renovation is more than a simple repavement; it involves installation of a large storm water collection tank under the parking lot. We were told the project would begin in early spring and take about a month. With that timetable the project should have been completed well before our show dates of July 21-23. On that basis we continued to plan for the show as scheduled.

Last week we were informed the project is behind schedule and will stretch into August. While the Community Center remains open, there is no parking available in the main parking lot (see above), and only minimal parking available in an adjacent lot that also serves the Crystal Aquatic Center (which is always busy during the summer months).

The show committee considered options for holding the show as scheduled, including staying at the Community Center and trying to come up with alternative parking options, or relocating the show to another suitable venue. Unfortunately, no options appear viable. Suitable alternate venues are not available on short notice. Telling show dealers, exhibitors, judges and attendees to find their own place to park in the surrounding community was deemed to be very undesirable. A remote parking and shuttle service was also considered but, if the details could be worked out (not assured), would still be a major inconvenience to anyone wanting to attend the show. Many would no doubt simply skip the show completely, resulting in poor attendance and disappointing sales for our dealers.

Given all the obstacles, the committee made the difficult decision to not hold the 2023 show. We have asked the APS to grant a bye for our show for this year, thus preserving our World Series of Philately status for future years.

Thanks for your past, present and future support of the Minnesota Stamp Expo.
We look forward to seeing you in 2024!