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.

From left to right: Boston 2026 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.  “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 X and Facebook.  Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.