On the road to Boston 2026: a society’s perspective

By Paul Sobon, American Helvetia Philatelic Society

The mention in Linn's regarding the American Helvetia Philatelic Society’s (AHPS) $2,500 donation to Boston 2026 (Linn’s, Oct. 21, 2024, page 8) was a welcome recognition of our support for the show. However, for AHPS that check represents just one part of a much broader effort.

We decided several years ago that our participation in a once-in-a-decade international show required a different level of preparation, and that our presence would extend well beyond simply staffing a table.

THE $26 FOR '26 CAMPAIGN

Our planning began in 2023 with the launch of the "$26 for '26" fundraising campaign. We asked members to contribute over a three-year period to build a dedicated show fund. This wasn't just a fundraising exercise; it was a way to ensure our AHPS membership felt a direct connection to our presence in Boston.

DAILY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

We believe a specialty society should function as a primary source of knowledge at an exhibition of this scale. AHPS members will present on a Swiss philatelic topic each day of the show. Topics will span the full range of Swiss philately, from cantonal issues to modern postal history.

Our goal is straightforward: whenever a collector visits our booth or attends one of our presentations, there should be substantive technical discussion and educational resources available. We're treating the booth as an active center for Swiss philatelic expertise throughout the show.

We are also partnering with the United Nations Philatelists Inc. (UNPI) to share booth space at the show, creating opportunities for cross-pollination between our collecting communities.

For show attendees, we'll have a philatelic wheel of fortune at our booth where visitors can win Swiss and U.N. stamps. It's a simple but effective way to introduce newcomers to Swiss philately and create an accessible entry point for conversation.

INCLUDE MEMBERS WHO CANNOT ATTEND THE SHOW

A significant challenge for any society is ensuring that members who cannot travel to the show still feel connected. With 20 percent of our membership residing outside the United States, we've incorporated digital elements into our planning to allow all our members the opportunity to participate.

We will be livestreaming a tour of the show floor for our members. Our booth will feature a digital display of photos and stories submitted by members from around the world. These initiatives ensure that collectors who cannot attend in person remain part of the conversation at Boston.

LESSONS FOR OTHER SOCIETIES

For societies now preparing for Boston 2026, several elements of our approach may be worth considering.

First, look beyond traditional philatelic audiences. Reaching out to consulates, cultural centers, or heritage organizations aligned with your collecting area can bring new visitors to your booth and provide meaningful context for your members' participation.

Second, prioritize members who cannot attend. Initiatives such as livestreaming or digital displays of member-submitted content build goodwill and demonstrate that participation in your society extends beyond physical presence at events.

Third, treat your booth as an active space for engagement. Daily presentations, interactive elements and scheduled activities create reasons for attendees to return throughout the show.

Finally, plan for what happens after Boston. We're already thinking about how to maintain the momentum and connections made during the show. Post-show follow-ups with new contacts, compiling our presentations into educational resources and continuing digital engagement with remote members will ensure our Boston efforts have lasting impact beyond the week of the exhibition.

JOIN US IN BOSTON

We look forward to seeing fellow collectors at Europe Pavilion Society Booth 1 throughout Boston 2026, where we will be sharing space with UNPI. Whether you're a longtime Swiss specialist or simply curious about what makes Swiss stamps distinctive, we invite you to stop by for a presentation, participate in our booth activities or discuss Swiss philately with our members.

The American Helvetia Philatelic Society is the largest English-language society dedicated to Swiss philately, and its more than 200 members span 35 states and eight countries. The society offers members monthly Zoom meetings, the award-winning journal TELL, an extensive online library and an active Facebook group.

More information on the AHPS can be found online at www.swiss-stamps.org or by contacting society secretary Paul Sobon at secretary@swiss-stamps.org.

Boston 2026 World Expo will take place May 23-30 at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center. Show details and instructions to sign up for email updates can be found at www.boston2026.org and via the expo’s Facebook, X and Instagram pages.

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