by Lloyd A. de Vries
The Virtual Stamp Club
At the American Philatelic Society’s board of directors meeting, executive director Scott English told the board he was not seeking a location for an APS-sponsored winter show in 2020.
Later during AmeriStamp Expo 2018, in response to a question from a member, he confirmed that it is unlikely there will be any more APS-sponsored winter shows.
“Only 6 of the 20 [winter shows] made money,” he said, and the APS has “lost substantial sums in the past five years.”
Two of the previous APS winter shows were subsidized by a vendor.
English said the APS is now looking for another show in which to hold the single-frame and most-popular “Champion of Champions” competitions. He sees a “market opportunity” for another show to host those events, as well as a similar draw for a show to host the APS winter board of directors meeting. Interested shows held in late winter and early spring should contact him.
The name “AmeriStamp Expo” actually belongs to the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors. In fact, one year since “ASE” became the regular APS winter show, AAPE held AmeriStamp Expo in Toronto while the APS winter show was conducted elsewhere.
When I was on the board (1997-2005), the concept for the winter show was to hold it in a warm location that would attract collectors who wanted a break from winter weather. Unfortunately, the hotel and tourism industries in such locations didn’t need the business from a relatively-small “convention” to fill their rooms, restaurants and recreation, and it was hard to find attractive cities in which to hold the show.
English said the decision is “not about the hobby, but the way we do business.” Attendance at the 2018 show was sparse; at its high point Saturday, it was only moderately busy. If it had been busier, would dealer Irv Miller in the purple shirt below be chatting at another booth?) 
The last APS-sponsored AmeriStamp Expo will be held February 15-17, 2019, in Mesa (Phoenix), Arizona. “We have fantastic room rates for the ‘high season,'” said English.
But the APS “can’t bounce from a failing show like this to a state of excellence at StampShow,” he added.
Too bad. The winter shows are the most enjoyable shows on the calendar.
“English said the APS is now looking for another show in which to hold the single-frame and most-popular “Champion of Champions” competitions.” I’m not sure that will drive traffic. When I go to a stamp who, I see very few people looking at the exhibits, by far most are in the area where the dealers are.
But there ARE people who come and look at the exhibits. Yesterday, I saw one man (not an exhibitor at that show himself) who had pulled up a chair so he could look closely at an exhibit.
And there were at least three dozen people who had come to AmeriStamp Expo 2018 specifically to show their exhibits. I think you’re wrong: The single-frame and Most Popular competitions would bring people from around the country (continent) to a show.
I appreciated the Birmingham opportunity to test my wings in the Display Class, which was strongly encouraged in the multi-frame sections apart from the single-frame and most popular areas. I hope the APS or the AAPE continue to feature other shows focusing on the Display Class.