Orapex 2020, slated for May 2-3 in the nation’s capital, was cancelled today by organizers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As recently as mid-March, Orapex organizers were planning to go ahead with the 150-frame exhibition and bourse in the nation’s capital.
As the days passed, however, much of the country was placed under even stricter social-distancing measures, which are now expected to last “several weeks, perhaps several months,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on April 6.
“We wish to thank all those volunteers, dealers and exhibitors who hung in with us until the last possible moment. Without them, there would be no show,” said Orapex chair Michael Powell, who added next year’s show will be held on May 1-2, 2021.
“The organizing committee has already begun discussions for next year’s show, which we expect will be bigger and better,” said Ian Smillie, who’s a member of the Orapex organizing committee.
The 2021 show will repurpose this year’s theme, “Topicals, Thematics and Illustrated Mail.”
“We had such a response this year that we had to turn away exhibits for the third time in the five years I have had the pleasure of serving as chairman. Hopefully, many of those will reapply next year,” added Powell, who’s also the past president of the Ottawa Philatelic Society, which is one of three Orapex co-hosts (along with the RA Stamp Club and Amicale des philatélistes de l’Outaouais).
“Orapex has a very loyal following and the committee proudly views it as the premier philatelic event in Canada. … We invite everyone to put Ottawa on their calendar for 2021 and hope to renew old friendships once again under much-improved conditions.”