The organizers of Orapex 2021, scheduled for May 2-3, have cancelled the upcoming national-level show due to COVID-19 concerns.
The announcement came on Dec. 3 from members of the event’s host clubs, which include the RA Stamp Club, Amicale des philatélistes de l’Outaouais (Outaouais Philatelists Association) and Ottawa Philatelic Society. Orapex was slated to be Canada’s second national show of 2021 after the “Edmonton Spring National,” which was also cancelled earlier this year due to COVID-19.
“Given the state of the pandemic, uncertainties about a vaccine and the significant lead time required to organize an open and safe show, with a full complement of dealers and exhibitors, the organizers have decided to err on the side of caution,” reads the recent joint statement. “The planning committee remains in place and we look forward to a return to normal in 2022.”
Only three national shows – the Royal Convention, the Postal History Society of Canada Symposium and Canpex – remain on the 2021 calendar.
All five of Canada’s national shows were also cancelled in 2020.
In light of the cancellations, officials concerned about exhibitors’ dwindling opportunities to qualify for CAPEX 22 – the first World One-Frame Stamp Championship, slated for June 2022 in Toronto – recently announced the National Virtual One-Frame Philatelic Exhibition. The April 7-30 virtual exhibition is being managed by Canpex organizers via canpex.ca. The deadline for entry forms is March 8.