The show will go on!
I am referring to the National Postage Stamp Show, formerly run by the Canadian Stamp Dealers’ Association (CSDA). However, we are expanding it to include coins, paper money and other exonumia materials.
First, I want to deliver a loud shout-out to Rick Day, president of the CSDA and its executive director, John Sheffield, for their great help and support in making the transition. Secondly, another loud shout out to the Canadian stamp dealers who have been very supportive of our efforts to make sure the show continues.
We had sent out a survey shortly after we announced Trajan Media was acquiring the show assets from the CSDA. Almost two-thirds of the dealers responded with positive feedback and suggestions on how to improve the show so we can turn it into a profitable and rewarding experience for the show organizers, the dealers and the public. This is a partnership that can benefit all of us.
The key incentive for Trajan to continue the show was the dealers’ overwhelming support to expand it to include the selling of coins, banknotes, tokens, medals, etc. Without the expansion, it would be next to impossible just to break even on the show, which is why the CSDA – whose focus is to promote and market stamp dealers – decided after several money-losing shows that it could no longer afford to continue the event.
To its credit, in the last few years the CSDA has made various changes and improvements in an effort to stop the flow of red ink on the balance sheets, but with the number of exhibitors continuing to decline it was a losing battle.
Another important determining factor for us to continue the show was support for charging admission. At the CSDA’s last show in November 2015, several members of the public expressed sadness the show was discontinuing and expressed a willingness to pay an admission. In the coin world, the large majority of shows charge a nominal admission. I realize it’s the opposite in the stamp world, but for larger shows to remain viable, it is necessary.
Bottom line, I feel it’s a great deal at $3, considering the admission fees charged by organizers of home, car, and recreational shows. And for those collectors who are insistent on not paying to get in, Sunday admission to our event – now called the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show – is free.
We are trying to address all concerns we have heard. For our spring show, we are going back to Hall 3 at the International Centre at 6900 Airport Rd., in Mississauga, Ont. Parking is free, there’s a GO Transit station at the centre and it’s easily accessible to the major highways. As well, there are several affordable hotels and restaurants in the vicinity.
As for the show dates, we were planning to go with a weekend in April – similar to last year – but attracting coin dealers was turning into a challenge because our proposed dates would have meant three large “coin” shows back-to-back for the dealers. That is a lot. So with the support of our stamp dealers, we have moved the dates to May 13-15 – the weekend after Mother’s Day and the weekend before the Victoria Day holiday – avoiding major conflicts with other stamp and coin shows.
So the show is back on, and with your support, let’s makes it a success for everyone!