Boston 2026 World Stamp Show

I hold a hotel reservation, but won't decide whether to go until January. I don't exhibit and have access to excellent regional shows like WESTPEX and STAMPEX (UK) based on regular business travel, so the US international doesn't hold any advantage. Boston is distant from Texas so the cost of a flight is not trivial, expensive with a 15% hotel occupancy tax, and I've been there four times in the past. It has seen its overall murder rate double in the past year and is less safe than NYC according to one respected survey. Pickpocketing and other theft can be an issue in the show area, which I've been to before, as with other large cities. Both the mayor and governor are widely perceived as soft on crime. It will be crowded with tourists in the 250th anniversary year of the country. Overall, it will be a difficult decision for me that will turn on the state of the economy and whether I feel I can afford the luxury of a trip there for hobby purposes. I see these international shows as mainly appealing to wealthy, competitive, international exhibitors and people who live nearby, and I am neither. I attended New York 2016 because I had business travel there often at the time and an apartment there, and enjoyed the world-class exhibits, but beyond that, didn't really see the point, compared to a big regional show.

I'm a Boston 2026 boothholder, for the first half of the show, as are many other postal history dealers. The show website has a list of confirmed dealers and whether they're attending the first half, the second half or all of the show. A link is here:

https://web.cvent.com/event/bbbdc1d...543356c8819d

Regarding tariffs (different than duties which have always been and continue to be -0- for philatelic material imported into the USA) Mick Zais is in contact with Washington about solutions for the show for exhibitors and for dealers, assuming the temporary tariffs are extended by Congress.

Hope to see you in Boston,

Steve

And back to the show itself...

Announcement - Philatelic Exhibiting Deadline Approaches

This is a reminder to all potential exhibitors that the deadline for applying for Boston 2026 exhibit frames is less than a month away on September 30. All applications are being accepted exclusively online through the exhibition's web site at boston2026.org. There is no charge to apply or withdraw your exhibit later if you change your mind.

For the FIP Competition - Single and multi-frame exhibits that have received a national level vermeil award (75 points) or higher are eligible to apply for the FIP competition for one or 5 frames. First time international exhibits are especially encouraged, as a minimum of 20% of frames are exclusively reserved for them. Prior multi-frame exhibits earning a minimum large vermeil (85 points) or higher in FIP competition may opt for applying for 5 or 8 frames. First Day Cover exhibits are being accepted as an experimental class.

For the Polar Competition - Philatelic exhibits of any size from 1 to 10 frames are eligible to apply, no matter their prior competition awards, if any. Exhibits dealing with any aspect of polar philately - historical, thematic or stamp issues from the regions. Entry fees are lower than the FIP competition, with similar medal awards.

Applying for exhibit frames does not guarantee exhibit acceptance, as the number of available frames is typically fewer than those requested. Philatelic exhibit selections take place in October, with acceptance notifications anticipated by mid-November. Accepted applicants may withdraw at any time without penalty until a firm commitment is made by the end of this year.

Exhibitors from abroad should note that at this time the Boston 2026 Organizing Committee is unaware of any U.S. importation tariffs being placed on exhibits solely for display and competitive purposes. Our appointed Boston 2026 government relations liaison continues to monitor these regulations for exhibitors as well as those in the philatelic trade. A show customs agent is also being hired to ease the process for all participants.

I live in the Boston suburb of Everett just a few miles from the Menino Convention Center in the Seaport District. I intend to travel via public transportation each day to attend the show and events. (Afterwards, on certain days I will explore into the Seaport for some different eateries or commercial faire). Boston is a relatively safe city, not withstanding it's economic distressed communities, (which are for the most part somewhat distant from the Convention Center & Seaport District). I travel into Boston frequently via public transportation with no issues experienced other than minor train delays. I feel safe in the general areas of Downtown, Financial District, North End, Southie, Seaport, and other close areas to the 2026 Expo site. I am looking forward with great anticipation the Bourse & events this show will offer. I attended both the Washington DC (2006) & New York City (2016) shows, walking through the neighborhoods to attend each & NOT feeling anxious or apprehensive. I enjoyed the after-show experience, both with restaurants and entertainment made available. I hope that those who plan on attending Boston 2026 come without fear (but reasonable cautions as with all events). The city will be hosting 250 Birthday events, Tall Ship visits, World Cup attendees and other international, national, local events during 2026. (You would need to check a Boston Travel Site or Visitors Site for details.) Boston is a beautiful city, with a tremendous amount of history (Fairbanks Tavern 1st Post Office), USS Constitution - Bunker Hill (A somewhat trying walk-up), the Common, the Public Garden (& Swan Boats). US first underground subway, (sometimes I think they still use trolleys from the beginning days). The 2026 Organization continues to plan for a GREAT event (I can feel their anxiety/angst here at the key board). I'd would love to meet up at the nearby Dunk'n for a coffee just email me through the SCF. Yes Boston is expensive $$$$$ for hotels (&public parking) but there are less expensive facilities in the immediate neighborhoods, all on the public transportation network (the MBTA has a visitors' pass program for weekly unlimited bus/train for affordable$. I wait impatiently for May 2026. I have started my show planning making a myriad of notes & notes to notes, checking my inventories & checking the 2026 website of vendors & products. (I'm looking for an inexpensive Zepp C13-C15, and Macau SC#551-554 FDC). Please take social media's depiction of Boston with a BAG of salt, they cherry pick & do not present the full picture of this beautiful city. To all my collector friends (brothers & sisters) come to Boston 2026, enjoy the 2026 Show, the City, the history.

eligies, I agree about the relative safety of Boston. I have lived in the Boston area for 60+ years and frequently travel by mass transit and have never had any concern there, or on the streets and I've worked all over the town. I'm looking forward to the show and will likely take the subway to South Station and walk the 0.6 miles from there or take the Route 7 bus from S. Sta. right to the convention center. Applying confirmation bias to pick and choose narratives is definitely possible considering there are approx 335 million people in the US and everyone seems to have an internet platform for their opinions, but making broad assumptions on the basis of that confirmation bias would be a mistake. There's something for everyone in Boston and it is a relatively safe city.

No

My home show is WESTPEX and I agree with most all of what cjpalermo1964 said above.

I doubt I will live long enough to see another International at or west of Chicago. Really kills my collecting interest with this decades long kowtowing to the east coast big boys. Even the APS has shown this big money bias with the lot handling of Al K's material All lotted for wealthy collectors to buy ready made exhibits and dealers for resale. Not much concern for the mid range exhibitors and collectors who need to add only one or two items but are faced with huge groups of extra unwanted stuff.

Hard to attract new young collectors when the costs to visit a show far exceed what they actually spend in a year on their collections.

Unless there is a change in thinking at the top, perhaps there will be no reason for the USA to host "Wherever '36."

I'll try this again. As others have pointed out here, Boston's very safe. Feel free to do your own research to confirm/disconfirm some of the statements made above by folks who live here, and those made by folks who don't live here. The Seaport neighborhood where the show convention center is located is expensive and (in my opinion) rather boring compared with the rest of the city, but it's a great place for a show.

The biggest knock on having Boston host the show is expensive hotels, IMO. Rates are always high and seemingly always have been. But that's probably also true for some other cities as well.

Hopefully the relative proximity to Europe will be enough to induce some extra international visitors to come, too!

I worked in Boston for many years at one of the colleges in the Fenway and still travel back for different things. I don't think it is any more dangerous than any other city of similar size, and has been pointed out, the area where the conference is being held is very safe.




That's true and one way around this would be to get a hotel in one of the surrounding communities near a T or commuter rail stop and then commute into the show. That's how I may do it. I think it's about a 3/4 mile walk from South Station to the Convention Center. There's also a Rapid Transit Bus called the Silver Line that I think will get you closer to the Convention Center if you don't want to make the walk.

Because Boston's South Station is a short 0.6 mile walk or bus ride from the convention center, hotels in outlying towns near train stations may be an option for those seeking lower cost hotels. Worcester, Massachusetts is 1.5 hours away by train and Providence, Rhode Island is 1.2 hours away by train and both have lower cost hotels. However, be aware that there is no rail connection between North Station, which serves points north and northwest, and South Station which serves points south, southwest, and southeast. [Yes, we know that's stupid.] A person can get from North Station to South Station but it requires taking the orange line subway to the redline subway, fine if you like subways but it will add more time to the commute.

How does one pay the fares on the many types of transportation?

Pretty much everything is now tap-to-pay with your phone/credit card - no more reloading fare value onto a transit pass.

there are Senior fares which you will need a re-loadable card (I think tap & go is regular fare) Also, there are weekly reduced rate cards for visitors which provide for bus, trolley, subway fares. Google MA MBTA for their web site & explore the options. They have system maps, fare schedules, connections, special fares etc.

The MBTA fares website

https://www.mbta.com/fares

Thank You Mainer!!