It’s never too early to plan to see philatelic friends or visit a stamp show. It’s already February, and for some of us, time passes quickly. The American Philatelic Society has several events planned in 2023, and I wanted to invite all our members to participate in one or more.
Collectors browse dealer stock at GASS 2022
APS Spring Meeting (St. Louis Stamp Expo, March 24-26): In March, the APS Board of Directors and staff will be traveling to St. Louis to see society members and hold meetings. On Wednesday, March 23, the Board will meet in person to hear reports and consider proposals to help boost the Dealer Member program. On Saturday, March 25, we will hold a general membership meeting before the show’s opening. If you’re near the show or planning to attend, please join us or stop by the APS booth to say hello to our staff representatives. For more information about the St. Louis Stamp Expo, visit https://www.stlouisstampexpo.com.
Summer Seminar (June 11-16): The last time we held an in-person summer seminar was in 2019, and we often get requests to schedule another event. Last year, the APS canceled Summer Seminar due to a lack of participation from the pandemic and travel costs. As things have somewhat returned to normal, please plan to join us for our first event in four years. It’s an excellent chance to spend time with friends and use our APS services, and the weather is usually pleasant. (See the Bridges column on p. 168 and online here for more information.)
Volunteer Work Week (July 17-22): In 2022, 40 APS members and significant others traveled to Bellefonte to participate in the annual Volunteer Work Week. Thanks to their efforts, we sorted donations in the library and the Trenchard Collection, organized donated material for sale in the Stamp and Cover Shop to support our education programs, helped scan items for internet sales and editorial, and more. It’s a chance to work closely with the APS staff and support the programs you like to use, all for our fellow members. Expect more information soon, but you can contact our Education Department at education@stamps.org with any questions.
Great American Stamp Show (Cleveland, Ohio, August 10-13): Our annual summer show will be in Cleveland in August. Once again, the American Topical Association and the American First Day Cover Society will jointly host the event with us. The United States Postal Service will be our top sponsor again this year and is planning first day events for Thursday and Friday. GASS 2023 is the first time the APS has held an annual show in Cleveland since 1999, and the Cleveland-area collectors have been busily promoting the show and preparing for our visit. Thank you for all the enthusiasm. (See the In Touch column on p. 172 and online here for more information.)
UNEXPO 2023 (Bellefonte, PA, October 20-21): The United Nations Philatelists sponsored a successful UNEXPO in 2017. Unfortunately, the 2021 show was canceled due to COVID concerns, but the event is now planned for October. Whether you’re a U.N. collector or an APS member, this is a great show. Not only will you be able to spend extra time at the American Philatelic Center, but you’re visiting Central Pennsylvania while the leaves are changing. For more information, visit www.unpi.com.
You are welcome to visit the American Philatelic Center any time of the year, but the APS has several special events to bring together collectors at the same time. If you’re planning a trip or would like more information, visit https://stamps.org/contact/visits-tours on our website to get all the information you need. I hope to see you soon!