Attending stamp shows

Stamp clubs are few & far between where I live. Stamp shows rarer. It takes a fair bit of effort to put on a show, so they are annual events for most clubs. I have been to a couple, but nothing compares to the first stamp show I attended - CAPEX '78! I volunteered at the RPSC desk & received a nice certificate. I've been to stamps shows in Truro, Nova Scotia, North Toronto Stamp Club show, a couple others & have visited a couple clubs in the area. Their shows are small with not that much to offer. So I am in the same boat as angore & anglobob in that I do most shopping online. It does get expensive going to large shows, what with accommodations, food, purchases. London England's big stamp show is out for me, as is anywhere outside of Canada - I don't have a passport. The military killed my travel bug - I am travelled out now! If I do go to a show, it is mainly to purchase, as I know so few people who collect stamps.

Unfortunately, where I live (Southern Ontario,) a number of shows are in the Spring or Fall. Quite often the weather doesn't co-operate. A few bigger shows in Toronto & Ottawa that I had wanted to go to were missed due to freezing rain, snow or just stormy weather.

So... online is pretty much it for me. I do want to go to Toronto or Ottawa for these bigger shows, but I'd probably just go for the day.

I am sure we can solve that problem for you if you haven't done so by May ! 

A LONG-WINDED POST ! 

I cannot think of any reason not to go to a Stamp Show. I've been trying ever since I read the initial post by angore. But of course I have to say that don't I. Don't I ?
I started collecting at a Stamp Show and I often think how nice it would be if I stopped collecting at one too !! Take all my Stamps (or Cinderellas) to a dealer at London 2030 (or London 2040 if I'm lucky) and then be free of all those little bits of paper that have been cluttering up my space since..........since.......well, London 1990 !!

Stamps were the furthest thing from my mind on that lovely sunny day back in May 1990. I had long forgotten about my old schoolboy album and was far too much involved in making plans for more travel. Another visit to Egypt ! Yay!! So as a couple of friends and I walked around the beautiful Alexandra Park on our Sunday off work, it was the Pyramids, Camels and Tutankhamen that were the topic of discussion, not Penny Blacks and Coil strips (not that I knew what they were......then).
It is hard to believe, even until today what happened that Sunday. What if we happened NOT to go near the Alexandra Palace ? But we did. What if we hadn't been in Alexandra park at all but had gone to Hyde park instead......but we didn't. What if one of my friends had not been keen to go into the Exhibition as well....but he was.

So from that May Day in 1990, Stamp Shows have held a very special place in my heart......though not always in my head (or wallet). Big or small local events; Collectors markets; weekends away and more. I love them all. I have for 29 years arranged my holidays around them. When I had to cancel my visit to 'Europhilex' in 2015 through ill health I was devastated. Not about the illness either !! When I was still working in London between that aforementioned May Day in 1990 and until I became an ex-pat in 1991, I was at a Stamp show almost every weekend. Sometimes two events on the same day. It was just the best of times.

Later, after being starved of events in my new country, it was relieving to be able to talk stamps via one's computer (and later phone). But those holidays were always eagerly awaited. And what's not to like about Stamp Shows?
Great Displays; lots of material to look at and buy (as anglobob suggested, better at the small events); meet up with friends and acquaintances; after show dinners to talk stamps and such a great atmosphere.

I eagerly await the next event.......remind when that is please, it's been a busy week !! 
So if you have to travel, spend a little bit of hard-earned cash, take time away from your Wife, girlfriend, husband, boyfriend, cat or Dog just remember that it will have been worth it.

For the memories. If I ever forget about the six days I spent in London during the 2010 'Festival of Stamps' it will only be because I  no longer have the possibility to remember. Nothing will ever come close, nothing will ever be more exciting, nothing will ever be so memorable.

If only for the memories........get yourselves off to a Stamp Show. It will be the best thing you ever did !!

For all those undecided, unsure or nervous just put it all to one side and come to 'London 2020' and let's make it the GREATEST SHOW OF ALL !!

Michael.

Good call on starting this thread Al (angore), based on Jerry's (Jerry B) comments about travelling to stamp shows on the Watcha Been Stamping thread.

I suppose that this is another one of those topics for which one might reasonably expect as many different answers as their are respondents to the question.  To put my answer in some form of context, I will begin by saying that most of you on TSF realize by now that I have travelled a great deal throughout my life, both for business and leisure.

For the most part, I have tried to use those travels as opportunities to visit stamp shops or events in various locations.  So in effect, for the most part, I wasn't paying for the travel and accommodation just to visit a stamp shop or show.  When I was in the area for other reasons, I used that time to do the stamp activity.

Speaking specifically about stamp shows, I have only rarely travelled any significant distance expressly for the purpose of visiting a stamp dealer or attending a stamp show.  Two notable exceptions to that as I recall have been my visits to the International Stamp Exhibition in NYC in 2016 and the WESTPEX Show in California in 2017.  And even in both of those cases, I still did not have to pay the entire bill for travel or accommodation.  I always had been able to take advantage of something to bring costs down.

If faced with the prospect of having to pay full price for long-distance travel, food, and hotel in order to attend a stamp show, I wouldn't rule it out entirely, but I would have to think it through and figure out if there was anything else I could do on the same trip to help justify the cost.

In the end, I feel certain it would come down to how badly I wanted to go! 

As I have small kids and demanding job, no shows for me. I don't even have an opportunity to go to club meetings, although I have a relatively big one 20 min bus ride from where I live.
Nothing to think about international exhibitions neither.
I've managed to visit couple of times big international shows that were held in Jerusalem, but only for couple of hours in the evening.
That was a great experience!
Just to wonder around. To have a quick glimpse at different exhibits. Bought some stuff, highly overpriced, but that was all part of the experience as well. That was great. Too bad I didn't cross with londonbus.
I wish there where more big shows in Israel. Currently it is less than one per year.
Anyhow, shows are just great. Some of those days when I will be more available I will attend club meetings, if there still be any.

Kostia

I just read a brief report from the RPSC about London 2020: 3,400 frames on display! OMG! It would take longer than a week just to admire all that is being displayed! They also mentioned CAPEX '22. There will be 400 frames. Much more manageable. But really, 3,400? Wow!

CAPEX '22, here I come!

I second your thoughts !! René

I've attended two RPSC and one BNAPS annual convention and spent a lot more money than I should have. They are great fun and the exhibits have been wonderful. Both societies are planning their annual conventions in Atlantic Canada this year, the RPSC in Fredericton in June and BNAPS in Halifax in September. One is 1 1/2 hrs away and the other 3 1/2 hours, so unless the pandemic changes the plans, I will be likely be short of cash by the fall. We all hope that doesn't happen but things are not looking good at the moment, especially for Fredericton. I'm sure a lot of volunteer work has already been invested, so, for the Fredericton Stamp Clubs' sake and everyone else's, let's hope this is behind us soon.

This is a sad time for local stamp clubs and shows. Where I live (in Niagara region of Ontario, Canada) there are lots of stamp clubs and an equally high number of stamp shows within 2 hours of driving or less. This is usually the prime time of the year for both - just prior to the usual summer break. Given everything that has been happening, it doesn't look like anything will resume until the fall (or later?). Stamp shows in my area are very well attended. The same dealers tend to be present and some are retiring - and offering their stock at a discount. I also love the 'club books.' These are similar to the APS-style approval books where members can list their own items and prices are generally 20-30% of catalogue - all in Canadian dollars. I miss the bargains, cannot seem to replicate pricing online except for box lots (which I've mentioned in another thread!).

Hey, when is the show in Orlando usually? I have never been to a stamp show, but my Mom lives in Haines City, so maybe I could "Just Happen" to visit her that weekend. LOL. I live in Savannah and we don't have any shows near here. Once shows start up again, I may also go visit my brother & sister in Ohio, I am sure I can find one there.

I generally will only attend the local yearly stamp show here in Kingston just to see what bargains I might pick up.

It's always on a Saturday in October, which I've now designated Stamp Day - I start by going out for breakfast with some stamp literature to read (i.e. my latest edition of Stamp Magazine, or some such thing, unless my stamp collecting buddy is coming too - reading in people's faces is rude! ) and my walk that day will be with one of the stamp podcasts that I like to listen to (Stamp Show Here Today / Our Dad's Stamps) and then the day will end with me starting to catalogue whatever bargains I picked up and coming onto TSF (now that I'm here) to show everyone in the Today's Mail thread (unless there's a stamp-show-purchases-specific thread? Must investigate this!)

Next week, of course, I'll be going to CAPEX '22 since it's in Toronto which is only a couple of hours away and well worth a day trip for me and my buddy. I'm going to go see what a large-scale exhibitions looks like (I've never been to one) and take some time to personally thank the folks at RPSC and ATA for all their hard work as I'm a member of both...

Jerry B

There is a similar event in Quito.This will be the 2nd show I have attended here in Guayaquil. I doubt I will find anything I need as most of the collectors here are only interested in stamps from Ecuador. Absolutely no interest in French Colonies or cinderellas.
Still,it is a chance to get out of the house and who knows,I might find something.....

Anglobob

Hi anglobob

When we traveled to my sister-in-law in Quito, a show was either before we got there or after we left. Fortunately, I collect only Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela so I probably would have found meterial.

Here in Atlanta, I have the same feeling about a show. Nothing for me but it gets me out of the house for a day.

Jerry B

Have just returned from the local show ,some photos attached.There was only one person with stamps and they were mostly all from Ecuador.There were more dealers with coins and banknotes,and more visitors interested in these items.I managed to spend the grand sum of $5 ..
I did not expect to find anything so I wasnt,t disappointed,plus it was a good opportunity to get out of the house and see a few of the club members.