One of the most common ways to overcome resistance to change is to educate people about it beforehand. Communication of ideas helps people see the need for and the logic of a change. The education process can involve one-on-one discussions, presentations to groups, resources, and how-to’s. Because the concept of online exhibiting is so new the conversation today will shape the future.
The future of online exhibiting is a subject that matters greatly to philatelists. Due in part to the pandemic, online exhibiting is de rigeur. Many in the hobby, however, are concerned about how digitization will effect exhibiting, whether it will impact in-person shows, or how articles could be digitally enhanced or forged. On the otherhand, there are many who have been prepared for this sort of move to the online landscape, those who note the benefits of online exhibiting, and are ready to usher in this new age.
The response to the first panel presented earlier in the year demonstrated the need for another conversation. This second panel discussion of online exhibiting brought together judges, webmasters, and digital enthusiasts. The panelists included:
Mr. Larry Fillion from Boston, Massachusetts, is the webmaster for the American Association Philatelic Exhibitors and the current President of Malaria Philatelists International.
Mr. Colin Fraser from Woodstock, NY has judged at exhibitions in every continent, except Antarctica. Along with Richard Maisel, Fraser established the series of digital philatelic exhibitions in conjunction with the American Stamp Dealers Association.
Ms. Elizabeth “Liz” Hisey from Sarasota, Florida is the Chairperson of the APS Committee for Accreditation, co-founder of Women Exhibitors and a member of the Council on the Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges. She was inducted into the Council of Philatelists in 2010.
Mr. Ross Jones from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is the project manager for the American Philatelic Society.
Mr. Behruz Nassre from San Francisco, California initiated the Iran Philatelic Study Circle’s (IPSC) first virtual exhibition.
Mr. Marcus Orsi from London is leading a team in the development of the Museum of Philately website and app project, an online interactive philatelic museum platform aimed at keeping great philatelic collections alive for future generations.
Mr. Simon Richards from the UK is Chairman of the Association of British Philatelic Societies Exhibitions Committee – which is responsible for UK participation in international shows and for organising the UK national shows. He is an FIP Traditional Judge and has acted as UK Commissioner to several international shows.
Mr. George Struble from Salem, Oregon is webmaster for the Salem Stamp Society and for the Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs, and does most of the PIPEX exhibits web posting. He has been PIPEX exhibit chair since 2014, and is excited that PIPEX 2021 is the first virtual World Series of Philately show.
Mr. Joel Weiner from Edmonton Alberta, Canada is Vice President of the Society of Israel Philatelists and Director of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.
The future of online philately is being shaped right now and by many accounts, is here to stay, not simply stay, but perhaps lead to a interdisciplinary boon to the hobby.
Additional resources for philatelic exhibiting and judging can be found here:
Handbook and Manual for Exhibiting
Philatelic Judging and Exhibiting 7th Edition
Enhancing the Joy of Creating and Judging Exhibits
Digital Philately: This site has been running since June 2008 and covers many facets of using a computer in conjunction with philately.
Bone and Stone: Running since 2000, it is an experimental digital philatelic literature site.