With the in-person Pipex show cancelled for the second year in a row, organizers are transitioning to a virtual program this spring—and it’s breaking new ground in philatelic exhibiting.
Sponsored by the Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs, the May 7-9 Pipex show was part of the World Series of Philately (WSP) before being cancelled due to COVID-19.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no competitive WSP exhibitions have been held since March Party in March 2020, and many traditional WSP shows will be hosting virtual shows again in 2021,” according to a statement from the American Philatelic Society (APS).
This February, the APS Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges (CANEJ) approved virtual exhibition standards for the first time.
PIPEX DEADLINE: MARCH 31
Pipex 2021 will be the first show to participate in the digital WSP counterpart known as the Grand Championship Series.
“Because a judged show of this magnitude is so new, we are restricting the number of exhibits,” said George Struble, Pipex exhibits chair. “Judging virtually is also a challenge, so we are requiring that all pages of exhibits must be submitted by March 31, so the judges will have ample time to do their work.”
The Grand Award winner at Pipex and other approved virtual exhibitions are ineligible for the annual Champion of Champions; however, they will compete at the Grand Championship Series.