We received an unprecedented number of responses to our call for show feedback for Great American Stamp Show 2025! Below you'll find a selection of comments from attendees, volunteers, dealers, and more — thank you to everyone who took the time to email us with great stories, important feedback, and details of the treasures they found at the show!

 

APS Past President Cheryl Ganz filmed not one but two videos on the show floor with Exploring Stamps' Graham Beck. You can learn her 8 tips for attending a first day ceremony from the video above, or find her demonstrating her smooth-as-silk stamp trick here. 

 

Show and location was GREAT. I met so many friends (new and old). I almost forgot to say thanks to the APS for the special award as one of the volunteers of the year. See you in BOSTON.

Patrick A. Walters

 

I had a great time attending 2025 GASS in Schaumburg, IL. It was my first GASS experience. I love the APS education booth. I enjoyed fun activities creating key chains and bookmarks decorated with stamps. Everyone at the booth was friendly and welcoming. I met and talked to APS Director of Education Dr. Tomalei Vess (picture attached). She introduced and encouraged me to join the Stamp SCHOOL that led me to register and become an APS member (#239928).

I also shared with Vess about my experience sharing my love of collecting stamps and ideas of fun activities with stamps to youths in my community. It includes creating bookmarks using recycled envelopes and old stamps whenever my organization, Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT) does tabling at various events (pictures can be found here). The CMGT is a 501(c)(3) organization I founded in 2020 to connect muslims with greater communities in environmental issues and eco-friendly lifestyles. To learn more, visit our website: https://chicagomuslimsgreenteam.org/

My stamp collection is now growing to also include the history of the environmental movement in the US. Last February, I wrote a blog, Learning Environmental History from Philately for the CMGT website. Previously, I have been collecting stamps related to Physics, Space, Science, and Nature because my education background is Physics. I also collect stamps from Indonesia, the country I originally came from. Growing up there, I enjoyed collecting stamps because they were windows to the world and a great source to learn about history. Now that I am an APS member, I look forward to learning more from the APS online platform and attending stamp shows and events. 

Caroline Williams

 

I always enjoy sitting at my table (Anon E Mouse Cachets) in the cachetmakers bourse because it is a perfect way to socialize one-on-one with many people. Some know me already, but many are new collectors and want to learn about FDC cachets.

 

 

This year, I also had the opportunity to help an established philatelic group produce and sell their first FDC cachet. Many members of the Women Exhibitors, a sub-group of the AAPE, had not previously been introduced to the idea of making and distributing philatelic event souvenirs in this way. I designed their first cachet and their Chair, Kristin Patterson, sat with me at my table. (See photo.)

As usual at the Great American Stamp Show, there were so many wonderful things to see and do that I regretted missing some events in order to attend others. Nobody should claim to have been bored! A big THANK YOU to the APS staff and organizers who make this possible for all the many philatelic societies wanting to get together! 

Cynthia Scott 

 

I really enjoyed myself at the stamp show. I enjoyed the special stamp exhibits. I was able to find and purchase some wanted items at very reasonable prices. I like how many items were available for purchase at reasonable prices. My only complaint is the morning shuttle service. It ran from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for the morning run. I missed the 11:00 AM time by a few minutes and had to use a taxicab to get to the hotel. In the future, could the morning shuttle time be changed to run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM?  I think this would be a more practical time for attendees.

Patricia Burns

 

Here are some comments about GASS since I was there from Wednesday setup until Sunday take down. These are in no particular order.

• The show area, both in the main hall and Registration booths, were very well organized.
• The lighting in the main hall was superb and bright, exactly what was needed for a stamp show
• The program was complete and comprehensive with very good cross referencing. This is just what we would expect at GASS.
• What a nice array of dealers. I cannot imagine someone not finding one with what they were looking for. I helped visitors with stamps to sell find the dealer for them.
• Everything was clean at the hotel and convention center, including the restrooms. The main hall was spotless every day.
• VERY GOOD and professional looking security staff with great personalities. I've written their management about this great work not always found at conventions.
• The Schaumburg Convention Center was so easy to get to just off I 90, America's longest Interstate Highway. On the other hand there is no subway or rail service here that others may have wanted to use. FREE PARKING WAS A REAL PLUS!!! Will Boston have that?
• With so many good exhibits I do not know where to begin. Thanks to everyone who shared their collections for others to see.
• It’s always neat to see a C3a, perhaps the most famous single stamp there is, on display. This is such a nice, clean copy the APRL has.
• The special meeting rooms were more than adequate.
• As a sponsor the Postal Service booth was very good. Great signage. The retail clerks were friendly and pleasant, led by our own Chris Negrette of the Lombard, Illinois post office. Likewise the clerks who provided special cancellations were accommodating and did good work. The only downside was how sheets of stamps could not be broken up for customers to buy less than a full pane. Less than full sheets of stamps could have been dealt with back in the Kansas City Caves the week after GASS.
• Is there any convention center in America that does not charge $5.00 for a can of pop or $10.00 for a hot dog? This drags down an otherwise great event.
• KEN MARTIN is known as Mr. APS for a reason. This man was all over the place doing whatever needed to be done. It’s always great to have Ken come to Chicagoland.
• All the other employees who staffed the APS booth did yeoman service and we were glad they came.

Steve Bahnsen

 

My booth was busy all 4 days. Lots of foot traffic, lots of friends old and new stopping to talk and educate. Wish I had more time to see the exhibits (the few I did see were amazing) and visit other booths. A great show (as always)...but a long drive home alone.

Ken Pitt

 

The GASS show was absolutely amazing! the planning and layout of the bourse and exhibits was top notch. I really enjoyed interacting with various APS board members and editorial team and dealers and collectors. Many thanks!

Vivek S. Chopra

 

I'd like to give a heart-felt shout-out to Wendy Masorti and Ken Martin who went above and beyond the call of duty in spending time to successfully connect my PowerPoint presentation from my iPhone to the LCD projector. Due to their tireless efforts, my presentation at the Cats on Stamps Study Unit gathering was a success.

The Schaumburg venue was great! The hotel was lovely and the short walk to the connected convention center was very convenient.

Marci Jarvis

 

I had a wonderful time at GASS!  I enjoyed volunteering at the registration booth on the morning of the first day, and at the Souvenir Card Collector Society table. It seemed very busy the first two days, then slowed down some for Saturday and Sunday. I liked the diversity of dealers, and I spent nearly 3 hours at the exhibits. I found and purchased a number of items for my collections.

To the APS, ATA, and the AFDCS, keep up the excellent work!

Brian Christian

 

I judged at the show, so for most of the time it was like I wasn't really at a stamp show at all. I hope I helped some of the exhibitors. I only bought things from two dealers. Lack of time. The hotel was great.

Bob Hohertz

 

Experience was great. Wonderful show and the location was perfect. The set-up inside was just right, in that it was easy to travel around and visit with the dealers. The USPS booth was manned by some professional and friendly workers. Overall this is what future shows should be.

Rob Studabaker

 

Thank you for a fantastic GASS in Schaumburg!

The bourse had a large number of dealers and I was able to pick up some great material for my various collections. The exhibits were done extremely well and I learned a number of things from every one I had seen. I especially enjoyed the presentation by BNAPS Richard Judge on small and large queens of Canada, just excellent!

The convention center hotel was also very clean and had friendly staff. I especially enjoyed their saline pool. The convention center itself was on the cool temperature side, but all in all, a fantastic show.

Thank you to Wendy Masorti and the APS staff for a great GASS!

Keith Christian

 

This was my first GASS! I have been attending regional stamps shows for several years now, but I was so excited for the opportunity to go to #GASS2025. I enjoyed learning from experts at the panels, weeding through treasures at the bourse, attending a first-day ceremony, and finally meeting online friends (and YouTubers!) in person. The exhibits were fantastic, as well. I returned home with a full suitcase of items for my country and topical collections, and a full heart.

Sarah G.

 

I attended on the Friday of the session and had a blast. I posted some of my experience on The Stamp Forum.

Henry Barry

 

This was a great convention with a good turn out. The stamp unveilings were awesome. I volunteered and will do it again. I attended several meetings that were very informative. Good experience.

Betty Lewis