The CAPEX 22 logo, as well as the phrase “World Postage Stamp Show,” adorned the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) marquee from June 9-12 as Canada held its first international philatelic exhibition in 26 years.
At the crossroads of downtown Toronto’s financial and entertainment districts, the MTCC stands beside the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Union Station and countless other landmarks. The large-scale event centre also beckons many of the city’s roughly 27 million annual visitors, which this June included philatelists from around the world.
“I thought it was fantastic: on the first day of the convention, I looked out the window, and I saw the electronic sign outside with ‘CAPEX 22’ instead of ‘Go Blue Jays Go’ or something about another tragedy for the (Toronto Maple) Leafs,” said Ed Kroft, of Vancouver, B.C., the outgoing president of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, which hosted CAPEX 22.
“It’s great to have a stamp collecting sign out there for the people who are stuck on the Gardiner Expressway to see and ask the question, ‘What is philately?’ and maybe learn more.”