Forty-two months and counting. That’s how long it is until the opening of Boston 2026 World Expo, America’s next international philatelic exhibition taking place May 23 to 30, 2026, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
This is the first of a series of columns to appear every three months in The American Philatelist to keep APS members and stamp collectors around the world informed of the latest details about this once-a-decade event. To call it the “Olympics of Stamps” is not an understatement!
Our story began even before the last U.S. international took place, World Stamp Show-NY 2016. As the American representative to the Federation Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), the APS is the body that officially sanctions the international exhibition, selecting the host city and organizing a committee from interested groups.
Following a 2015 presentation requesting the bid for Boston to host the 2026 event, the APS officers and board unanimously selected our team to take the reins. With me were Mark Butterline and Nancy Clark, having the full support of the Northeastern Federation of Stamp Clubs, which pledged an initial $10,000 to secure the convention center reservation, becoming the show’s “Founding Funder.” Our predecessor’s post-show donation of $100,000 secured their “Seed Funding Provider” status with us.
Much has happened in these past seven years.
The Boston 2026 Organizing Committee now exceeds 20 members from around the country, all of whom are volunteering their time and talents to head up the various working groups. It’s a mix of veteran chairs of internationals past with several new philatelic leaders already very experienced in show operations at the national level.
Show dates have been locked in with the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Exhibit Rooms A and B will be used, utilizing more than 350,000 square feet of unimpeded floor space in addition to 52 meeting rooms in the level above. An event decorator has been selected using our show colors of red, white and blue in honor of Boston’s historic ties to the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration of independence. The innovative show layout features geographic zones representing the four corners of the Earth.
The new Westin Boston Seaport District is the show hotel that is physically connected to the convention center. An agreement has been signed with the OnPeak housing management firm to procure hotel rooms at a variety of nearby hotels in all price ranges. For those looking for accommodations outside of the city’s waterfront or our greater Boston residents, both the South Station and Silver Line subway stations are minutes away.
What sets an exhibition apart from a stamp show are exhibits! Boston 2026 features more than 4,000 frames of material filled by collectors from around the world. Their exhibits have already won top honors in national competitions. You can expect to see rarities sprinkled throughout as well as in the prestigious Court of Honor. Boston 2026 World Expo has just been granted FIP patronage. Exhibit frames are in the design phase right now.
Stamp dealers from around the world have had the opportunity to request booths for more than a year. Invitations for postal administrations to request space will be sent closer to show time. Of course, the U.S. Postal Service will be prominently on the show floor offering new and recent issues. First day events are being planned every day of the show. Several world-class auctions will take place throughout the week.
We are pleased to announce that two prominent philatelic organizations, the United Postal Stationery Society and United States Philatelic Classics Society, have been named Boston 2026 Society Major Sponsors. The Philatelic Foundation joins as a Major Sponsor. Conversations are ongoing with other major societies for their support. The American First Day Cover Society will be attending, along with an anticipated 50 or more other philatelic specialty organizations, which will hold conventions, meetings and give presentations.
A fundraising campaign has been quietly working behind the scenes to help defray show expenses. Contributions of all sizes are welcome. Those by credit card, PayPal, or Venmo may be accepted on the show’s website.
A special thanks to Nancy and Douglas Clark, Mark and Joan Butterline, Vince King and many, many others who are recognized on the Donor Page, where you will also read of thank you gifts at various donor levels. As a 501(c)3 designated IRS organization, donations may be tax deductible.
Two souvenir labels designed by Chris Calle have been produced for the show so. Others will be released yearly depicting patriotic themes.
It is not too soon to begin your plans to participate in Boston 2026 as a visitor, exhibitor or dealer. By the way, we’ll need around 500 volunteers to assist with show operations. More about that in the upcoming months. Full show details may be found at boston2026.org, on Twitter and Facebook.