Boston 2026 World Expo

This 100%.

I can buy online. Shows are a social event for me, although almost everyone I used to know has now passed away.

I will not pretend that many I once knew are not gone now. But not all, and perhaps some new ones as well.

Sigh, I just wish I could go. I had planned to go to this show since 2016, but now suddenly the wife is out of work and trying to find a new job - this is the worse time to have this happen. Right now I just cant incur the expense of travel, hotel, and food accommodations...nothing I can do at this point

Lots of grumbling about costs and coastal elites. Obviously the organizers want to pitch as large a tent as possible, but each stamp show is aimed at a slightly different crowd at its core. The local show is great for browsing through boxes of dollar covers; GASS has a nice broad spectrum of dealers and is held in various locales across the country (see you all in Albuquerque next year).

Yes, the big International is aimed at a global audience (the kind who might not be persuaded to fly to Albuquerque) and the higher end of philately - the whales dropping mega $$$ on stamps and covers. Which means that this show is not directly aimed at of us here, myself included.

I'm going because I live here, but would I travel if I didn't? Maybe, if it wasn't too expensive, and depending on how many people I know are attending. I'm sure the exhibits will be stunning. But I wouldn't go simply to buy material. Most of us just do that online these days, anyway.

Looking forward to the first VR World Show that costs a cool million less to produce.

The difference is that at a show one can still sometimes find bargains if one is knowledgeable. Harder to do online, where anyone might see it. Even at an International it's possible. More difficult, perhaps, but still possible. Found a few in St. Louis over the weekend.

...and at a show in person, a dealer might show you something in person, that you wouldn't otherwise see.

That happened to me with at least 2 dealers last fall at a show. I would up with some neat stuff that I had no idea that they had.

I'm definitely going to go down and spend a couple of days in Boston.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit I've never ever been to any kind of stamp show or meeting in person and I suspect this might not be the best way to get broken in.

My plan is to spend a good bit of time taking in the exhibits and maybe a couple of presentations that look interesting. The Bourse looks intimidating as I've only ever bought stamps online so again I'll be a total rookie. But maybe I'll poke my nose in. Any advice for a first timer?

Any advice for a first timer?
1. Print out the floor plan - mark the dealers that might have the material you are looking for so you can actually find them. For a newcomer, the show floor is a maze and it always helps to have a map ready.
2. Once you are at the show, look around for dealers that have "grab boxes" (usually stuff at face value). there might be stuff there that interests you.
3. If there are several dealers that sell your stuff, check them before spending all your money on the first one you see. Compare prices.
4. As with all shows "the really good stuff goes first" so try to be there on the first days...

From my experience (Washington 2006, NY 2016), many dealers had those "grab boxes" in their booths. Unlike the impression you might have gotten reading this thread, it's not only "sell few but expensive $1000 stamps", it's also "sell lots of inexpensive stamps". I got good and many deals out of those boxes in both shows, sometimes from "not my stuff so I just want to get rid of it" dealer boxes.

Now for my thoughts going through the Boston website:
1. There are far, far, far fewer dealers than Washington 2006 and far fewer dealers than NY 2016. A load of auction firms and societies clog the list of booth holders.
2. None of the dealers I spent my money in 2006 and 2016 are present in 2026. (Granted some have shut down for one reason or the other).
3. A lot of stuff going on in 2006 (and less in 2016) has disappeared completely. That includes all the printers (a good meeting point during raffles at their demo booths). Also gone seems to be the "Arab corner" - in 2006 that was a large area of the show.
4. I haven't checked if there's a kid's area. It was huge in 2006 and well attended. It was smaller in 2016 with far fewer school buses arriving at the front doors. Let's see how it goes this year.

Never been to Boston and never to an International. I posted on a few of the other forums and actually received emails from some of the participants so I'll give them a visit ,if possible. Other than a local show or two it will be my last large show so I'll make the most of it. Maybe even pick up a deal or two. Really look forward to seeing people that I connect with in the hobby.

Absolutely walk through the bourse. Remember, looking is free; no one is forced to buy. But having a plan and a list is a good idea. Don't be intimidated, most dealers are friendly. The weekends will probably be busiest, so if possible try Tuesday-Thursday to do the floor, weekends are good for looking at exhibits.

What to look for from Boston 2026 Expo .
1] Good attendance numbers
2] Dealers had good sales ,not good contacts or lots of new handshakes .
3] The Expo ended in the black and has returned trust money and maybe has extra for the next Expo .
4]Any new people to be new figure heads in the stamp community ,we lost too many since the last show .
5] Hopeful new trends are taken shape
6]Any new products or new software being presented .
7] Old tired organisations coming out with new direction .

Who might be candidates for new "figureheads"?

What might be a few examples of new trends?

I am waiting like everybody else to see what positive things comes from this Expo.

Just a reminder that many of the dealers at the Boston International (most of the postal history dealers) have opted for a "half show" from opening day Saturday May 23 through Tuesday May 26.

A few dealers have opted for the 2cd half of the show. For an updated list of which dealers are there for which dates, please scroll down to the bottom of this page on the show website:

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

Steve Taylor (booth 557 - USA covers & postal history priced from $2.50 to $2,500+)