[press release]
Great American Stamp Show 2021: Let’s Go to Chicago!

The American Philatelic Society (APS) announced Thursday, March 25th, the kickoff for the Great American Stamp Show 2021. The show will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois from August 12-15, 2021.

“We’ve waited patiently for some good news out of Illinois and Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered it last week,” said Scott English, Executive Director of the American Philatelic Society, “Illinois is moving very quickly toward easing restrictions and likely safely removing them by August.

Under the Illinois Recovery Plan, the state relaxed the Phase 4 restrictions for indoor dining and other events. When 70 percent of all Illinoisians aged 65 and older are vaccinated, Illinois enters the “Bridge Phase,” further lifting restrictions and allowing the Stephens Convention Center to open. Based on current projections, Illinois will enter the Bridge Phase within weeks. Once 50 percent of all residents aged 16 and older receive at least the first dose of the vaccine, the state will enter Phase 5.

“Every week, more Americans are receiving vaccinations and taking the proper precautions to stay safe. If we continue moving in this direction, the Great American Stamp Show will be the perfect way to bring the hobby together,” added English.

The APS has established metrics as a benchmark to moving ahead with the show. By May 15, 2021, we need commitments from 75 dealers, 25 societies, and at least 500 exhibit frames reserved. These benchmarks will provide a strong show for dealers and attendees without substantial financial risk to the APS.

“This will be the biggest show held in the past two years. We need everyone in the hobby to come together,” added English, “We need our dealers, societies, and exhibitors to rally and show the world the pandemic has made the hobby stronger. We can’t wait to see you in Chicago!”

Reservation forms, hotel information, and other show details will be regularly updated on the APS website at stamps.org/GASS.

[press release]
CHICAGOPEX 2020 Opens Literature Exhibiting Application Submissions

Chicago Philatelic Society (CPS) is planning to present its annual philatelic exhibition, CHICAGOPEX, Nov. 20, 21 and 22, 2020, at the Westin Chicago Northwest, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca, Ill. 60413. [That’s last year’s sign and last year’s dates in the photo on the right.]

Prospective exhibitors are invited to submit applications for the show’s literature competition to Literature Exhibiting Chairman Ken Trettin beginning this month. The prospectus and application have been posted to Chicagopex.org and may be found on the left-hand side under Documents.

2020 marks the 54th anniversary of this show’s philatelic literature competition, with books and other materials expected to be on display.

[Chicagopex will accept] nearly all forms of philatelic literature. These include books, journals (excluding local club newsletters), catalogs, columns and individual major articles. They may be printed or digital depending on how they are made available for public consumption. Digital entries accepted include websites, blogs and message boards that either stand alone or are an adjunct to one of the print categories.

Note: The literature competition judging takes place remotely ahead of the in-person show. Should the show be cancelled, the literature competition will proceed regardless. To provide feedback, the literature judges will send written evaluations to all exhibitors after the show dates.

Separately, the show is also co-hosting AmeriStamp Expo with the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors. This event includes the Single Frame Champion of Champions competition, which highlights the top single frame exhibits from World Series of Philately shows around the United States held during the prior year. AmeriStamp Expo also features the annual AAPE Single Frame Team competition.

In addition, six specialty societies plan to convene at CHICAGOPEX: American Society of Polar Philatelists, Military Postal History Society, Mobile Post Office Society, United Postal Stationery Society and Women Exhibitors.

The show bourse is expected to host about 75 dealers from the United States and Europe. The U.S. Postal Service and the U.N. Postal Administration also plan to attend.

Admission and parking are free. Show hours are: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees are asked to contact the hotel (phone: 630-773-4000) to make reservations and to mention CHICAGOPEX for the special room rate.

About Chicago Philatelic Society (CPS):
Organized Oct. 8, 1886 as a continuation of the Chicago Stamp Collectors Union, which was organized in Dec. 1884. CPS is chapter no. 1 of the American Philatelic Society and one of two organizations with the longest uninterrupted service to philately in the United States.

Follow CPS on social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chicagopex
Twitter: twitter.com/Chicagopex

The Great American Stamp Show, scheduled for August 20-23 in Hartford, Connecticut, has been canceled. It would have been the largest stamp show of the year in the United States, and was sponsored by the American Philatelic Society, American Topical Association and the American First Day Cover Society.

Based on current information from the State of Connecticut, the show would either be canceled due to its size or require aggressive mitigation as an indoor activity.There was even a possibility that visitors from out-of-state would be required to go into quarantine for two weeks before participating in any events in Connecticut!

Virtual events will take the place of some or most of the events.

APS executive director and Scott English and the APS staff deserve special thanks for making this tough decision possible. Contracts for major stamp shows are signed years in advance, and contain cancellation penalties. Vendors for decorating, printing, food functions and more are lined up well in advance of a show. All of this had to be taken into account.

Speaking for myself and not the AFDCS or any other organization, I’m glad the show as canceled. It was becoming apparent from my discussions with other collectors that the show would have been poorly attended and those who did come would be tense: Not having fun at all. Many events that make attending a stamp show worth the extra time and effort would have been eliminated. Instead of being the showcase for Philately’s potential in the 21st century, Great American Stamp Show would have seemed more like a wake. —Lloyd de Vries

The full announcement:

Today, the American Philatelic Society, American Topical Association, and American First Day Cover Society announced the cancellation of the Great American Stamp Show. The show scheduled for August 20-23 in Hartford, Connecticut, is the largest annual stamp show in the United States.

Based on current information from the State of Connecticut, the show would either be canceled due to its size or require aggressive mitigation as an indoor activity.

Recognizing the health and safety of members, dealers, and guests as the highest priority, the APS Board of Directors approved cancellation and designated Hartford, CT as the host city for the 2024 Great American Stamp Show.

“Thank you to the dealers and members committed to supporting our show. The strength of our hobby is the people in it and that’s not worth risking,” said APS Executive Director Scott English. “Though the pandemic is changing our community, it will never weaken it.”

Since 1886, the American Philatelic Society’s annual convention has only been canceled once, in 1943 at the height of World War II.

“Some things are more important than philately, such as our community’s health and safety,” said AFDCS president Lloyd A. de Vries.

The APS, ATA, and AFDCS recognize that dealers, societies and clubs, and many individuals have already made plans and reservations in Hartford for August. Guests who have made hotel room reservations within the reserved block in the Marriott and Hilton hotels will receive automatic cancellation notifications by email or may reach out to the hotels personally. Dealer and society booth deposits and exhibitor entry fees may be applied to the Chicago 2021 show or will be refunded on request. We also encourage members to make donations to the APS, ATA, or AFDCS in lieu of refunds. Any questions may be directed to Ken Martin or Morgan Stinson.

“Although we will miss seeing our stamp collecting friends, we know this is the best thing to do. There will be shows again in the future,” said ATA president Dawn Hamman.

The APS staff is exploring a virtual show alternative for the planned show dates in August 2020, including a possible virtual dealer bourse. The ATA and AFDCS support this plan and will work closely with the APS on planning and execution.

English added, “I am proud of the APS team for how we’ve responded to this crisis. We will rise to this challenge and be stronger for it.”

The APS will provide updates on the progress of the virtual Great American Stamp Show as the planning continues.