Since The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) earned its “Royal” designation in 1959, the society has held its annual show 59 times.
Beginning in 1959 with the inaugural “Royal Convention” in Sarnia, Ont. and ending with the most recent convention in Boucherville, Qué., The RPSC has held its annual show 59 times, including:
- 17 shows (nearly one third of the total) in Western Canada;
- 14 shows west of Toronto in Ontario, and four shows east of Toronto in Ontario (not including Ottawa);
- six shows in Western Québec;
- five shows in Eastern Québec;
- four shows in the Maritimes; and
- two shows in Ottawa.
A total of 31 conventions were held in Western Canada and Ontario (west of Toronto).
Since 1959, three shows were held in conjunction with Capex (1978, 1987 and 1996); three were held in the U.S. (Alexandria Bay, N.Y. in 1968; Philadelphia in 1976; and Chicago in 1986); and one was held without dealers in Niagara Falls in 1963.
ORGANIZING THE COUNTRY
At the society’s annual general meeting on May 27, RPSC Treasurer Stuart Keeley discussed a plan to divide the country into “five distinct areas” for planning and hosting future conventions.
“What we’ve started to discuss is how we organize the country and how we organize the groups to take responsibility for a Royal from time to time, say every four or five years,” said Keeley, who added these groups could include the Grand River Valley Philatelic Association (GRVPA) and Greater Toronto Area Philatelic Alliance (GTAPA), both of which are umbrella organizations for philately within their respective regions.
“We have, in western Ontario, probably four or five locations that could readily handle a Royal, and if it was every fourth year, I think with the right support from the total group, it would be a lot more manageable than putting the full weight on a club.”
Keeley, who’s the chair for next year’s Royal Convention – slated for June 22-24 in St. Catharines, Ont. – said the “ideal” amount of time to plan a Royal Convention is two years (beginning one year prior to the Royal at which it’s announced).
“In other words, we need to start working on 2019 right now,” he added at the May 27 meeting.
2018 ROYAL CONVENTION
Next year’s show—sponsored and organized by the St. Catharines Stamp Club—will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites and the adjoining Parkway Convention Centre, which is the same venue that held the 2009 RPSC Convention.
Along with Keeley, this year’s organizing committee includes past president of the Canadian Stamp Dealers’ Association Roy Houtby, who’s once again serving as bourse chairman. Vic Potter and outgoing RPSC Vice-President Rod Paige will serve as exhibit co-chairs, and Jim Glen is treasurer. St. Catharines Stamp Club President Dave Hillier and member Les Molnar have also joined the organizing committee.