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New Patronage-Based Boston 2026 IREX Available

Boston 2026 philatelic and literature exhibitors should be aware that an update has taken place to the Boston 2026 IREX, the exhibition’s rules and regulations, which is now posted on the show’s web site. Applications continue to be accepted exclusively online.

The change was necessitated by the upgrade by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) of the show to “Patronage” from “Recognition” status. A number of competitive exhibition classes have been added and are now fully welcomed to join those available earlier. FIP Consultant Reinaldo Macedo of Brazil has reviewed and approved the new guidelines.

Speaking about the transition, Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri said, “Everything is now formally in place to fulfill the patronage changeover. It has been a while coming, but well worth the wait.”

Exhibitors who had previously applied for frames are not affected by the new IREX and are reminded that the selection of philatelic exhibits will not begin until the September 30 deadline has passed. Notification of acceptance will come through each country’s respective commissioner by mid-November. Literature applications, which include books, periodicals, catalogs, web sites, software and similar items will be accepted through January 31.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Now a General World Exhibition

The Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) has upgraded its Boston 2026 World Expo participation status from “Recognition” to its highest level, “Patronage,” now classifying the event as a General World Exhibition. The agreement was finalized between FIP, Boston 2026 and American Philatelic Society officials during EuroPhilEx this past weekend in Birmingham, UK. [In the photo, L-R,026 World Expo President Yamil Kouri, FIP President Prakob Chirikati, APS President Cheryl Ganz, and FIP Consultant Reinaldo Macedo]

The FIP is philately’s version of the United Nations, representing nearly 100 national philatelic organizations from around the world. It standardizes guidelines for international-level competitions of all sizes and provides varying operational structures to assist show organizers.

The FIP offers several levels of involvement with increasing organizational requirements and monetary fees at each step. Preliminary exhibition approval by the FIP came in 2022, resulting in an agreement granting recognition status to Boston 2026. Negotiations since that time have continued between the FIP and Boston 2026 officers to elevate the U.S. international to its highest level under patronage status. That contract has now been endorsed by both organizations.

“Achieving patronage status guarantees all participants full rights, privileges and opportunities through the FIP system of international exhibitions,” said Yamil Kouri, Boston 2026 President [photo left]. “Judges will be 100% FIP accredited, and all awards will be recognized and recorded by the FIP in its official Awards List. This also means qualified prior FIP large gold winners may take part in our World Stamp Championship Class competition. It brings together the world’s greatest exhibits under one roof to determine Grand Prix National, Grand Prix International and Grand Prix d’Honneur winners.”

Prospective exhibitors are reminded that philatelic exhibit applications are only accepted electronically through the Boston 2026 web site and must be received by September 30. National commissioners will inform accepted exhibitors in November. The deadline for literature applications is January 31, 2026.

Reinaldo Macedo of Brazil, who had earlier been appointed as the FIP Liaison Officer, is now the FIP Consultant. Most current and past FIP officers and officials are expected to be in attendance.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Commissioner Reorganization

Chris Lazaroff has been appointed as the Commissioner General of Boston 2026, replacing Yamil Kouri who will continue as the exhibition’s President.

“As work progresses it became clear that it would be best that I concentrate my time solely on my leadership role and turn the important responsibilities of the exhibits to someone else,” said Kouri. “Chris is eminently qualified to handle the position, assisted by Deputy Commissioner General Dzintars Grinfelds.”

Lazaroff was earlier selected to be the show’s U.S. East Commissioner in addition to his role as United States Postal Service Liaison.

Tom Fortunato of Rochester, New York, is assuming the East Commissioner post while continuing as Public Relations Chair. He had been the exhibits chair for the national ROPEX stamp show for two decades and has been a jointly certified APS/ATA judge since 2000.

Kouri continued, “These reassignments strengthen our Boston 2026 team and commitment to exhibiting participants in particular. We welcome Chris and Tom’s willingness to add to their present show duties.”

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Online Hotel Reservation System Now Active

Hotel reservations have opened for Boston 2026 World Expo, taking place in fourteen months.

Eight official show hotels have been selected from throughout the Boston Seaport district representing Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Omni and Yotel chains. All are three or four-star rated, fully wheelchair-accessible and within walking distance of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center [below left]. The show headquarters hotel, the Westin Boston Seaport District (right), and the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, are physically attached to the center itself.

Reservations are being accepted for check-ins a few days before the show’s opening, during, and a few days after the close from Tuesday, May 19 through Monday, June 1.

Per night room rates run from $229 to $333. Rates shown are for single/double occupancy. Triple and quad occupancy is available at some show hotels. These discounted prices are only available by making reservations through the Boston 2026 web site link to onPeak, the show’s contracted housing management firm. Negotiations continue to add one or two properties to the list outside of the city center. These, too, will be found on the Boston2026.org hotel page when confirmed.

Hotel rooms are offered on a first-come basis with no guarantee that additional room blocks will be released once full. In all cases a credit card or check deposit of one night’s stay is required. Reservations must be cancelled 72 hours prior to the day of arrival to avoid a late cancellation fee of one night’s room and tax.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on X and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

Added March 22:

[press release]
Additional Boston 2026 Show Hotels Contracted

Two additional properties have signed on to become official show hotels for Boston 2026 World Expo.

“Details took a bit longer than expected to work out,” said Boston 2026 Executive Director Mark Butterline, “But the addition of these hotels help round out our eight hotel offerings to attendees with discounted prices ranging from $129 to $333 per night plus tax.”

Both the Boston Marriott Newton and Boxborough Regency Hotel & Convention Center are in the greater Boston suburbs, 11 and 27 miles respectively from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and offer free parking. Visitors planning to drive to the region will find them especially convenient as they are off major highways with plenty of restaurants and attractions nearby. Residents of these communities take advantage of low-cost parking at train and light rail stations throughout the area and commute into the city.

Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri reminds show-goers, “We encourage visitors to make reservations through our web site as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Each property only has a limited number of rooms available at the special reduced price. Reservations can be changed based on availability closer to the show or cancelled within 72 hours of its starting date without penalty.”

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Boston 2026 U.S. Commissioners Named

Three regional U.S. commissioners have been announced by Boston 2026 World Expo to handle the transport and care of exhibits before, during and after the show.

Representing the East is Chris Lazaroff, a well-established first day cover creator and enthusiast since the 1980s. He has been instrumental in promoting all aspects of FDC collecting to philatelists worldwide and an active advocate of the cachet maker bourse nationally. Chris was appointed U.S. commissioner to the IBRA 2022 exhibition in Germany, WSC Exhibition Thailand 2023, EFIRO 2023 in Romania and to the upcoming Uruguay 2025 and Liberec 2025 exhibitions. Among the former American First Day Cover Society president‘s accomplishments was reaching his goal of attending U.S. first day ceremonies in all 50 states between 1982 and 2016.

The Central commissioner is Gregory Shoults, a well-known exhibitor whose single and multi-frame exhibits on various aspects of the Third Bureau Washington-Franklin coils have won top honors, making several appearances in the APS Champion of Champions over the past 15 years. Most recently he was the CAPEX 2022 U.S. commissioner in Toronto and earlier was appointed to Brasiliana 2013 in Rio de Janeiro. Greg has been the exhibits chair for the Garfield Perry March Party national stamp show in Cleveland, Ohio, for the past 10 years. He belongs to numerous philatelic organizations, holding positions in many of them.

Vesma Grinfelds of California will be in charge of exhibitors from the West. She was the prior U.S. Commissioner to Korea 2014, New York 2016, Jerusalem 2016, Prague 2018, Indonesia 2022, IBRA 2023, Bangkok 2023, Mare Balticum in Estonia 2024 and will continue the role for the upcoming PhilaKorea 2025. She is active in the Collectors Club of San Francisco, American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE) and Rossica. For many years Vesma has been the Director of the AAPE Youth Champions of Champions competition held at GASS annually. She received the 2024 APS Kehr Award for service to guarantee the future of the hobby.

Overseeing the three will be Commissioner General Yamil Kouri and Deputy Commissioner General Dzintars Grinfelds.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.