The American Philatelic Society has revealed its strategic plan for the next five years and is sharing it in an 84-page publication. The plan is signed by Kirk Gillis, Executive Director; Mark Banchik, APS President; Murray Abramson, APRL President; and Lawrence Haber, Treasurer. In the Preface, we read the following:
Organized philately is not about stamps. It is about people and the infrastructure that connects them. It is about friendships formed at stamp shows and club meetings. It is about the quiet generosity of a mentor explaining plate varieties to a new collector. It is about the shared language and knowledge, created and reinforced by generations of collectors. It is about the fellowship and the spirit of curiosity that make this hobby so deeply rewarding.
Stamps and covers do not carry intrinsic value on their own – they are designed to be used and discarded. Yet for us, these ephemeral objects are imbued with deep meaning and value. The stories, history, and worth of our collections are constructed through the ecosystem that organized philately provides. That ecosystem does not happen by accident. It exists because generations of collectors built the organizations, wrote journal articles, mentored newcomers, preserved archives, and gathered in clubs and societies to share what they knew and loved.
The American Philatelic Society (APS) is entrusted with maintaining that ecosystem and nurturing the community it supports.
This plan was shaped with the input of staff, volunteer task forces, board members, individual members and other thought leaders who care deeply about organized philately. It reflects both realism and optimism. It recognizes that the hobby has evolved before and commits to evolving it again. Most importantly, it affirms that organized philately remains essential.
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/aps_2026-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2026-04-18 15:38:252026-04-18 20:06:26A Strategic and Operations Plan by the American Philatelic Society
After New Zealand (1990), Germany (1994), Great Britain (1998), the Netherlands (2002), Denmark (2006), Belgium (2010), France (2014), Luxembourg (2018) and Austria (2022), the 10th anniversary edition of BIRDPEX will take place again in Belgium (28-30 August, 2026). BIRDPEX is a specialised exhibition dedicated to all kinds of exhibits with the theme “birds”, primarily thematic philately, but other bird exhibits can also be shown (open philately, maximaphily, traditional philately, postal history, picture postcards, etc.). It is a national exhibition with international participation, also open to first-time exhibitors.
The anniversary exhibition BIRDPEX 10 will take place together with the national exhibition Philhainaut ’26 in La Louvière. After nine different countries, BIRDPEX will now reside for the second time in Belgium, with more than 100 bird species since 1985, the country of the longest-running definitive bird series in the world. We hope for many exhibitors and visitors to be present at this special event for bird collectors from all over the world. You still have time to send your entry form until 20th April. Regulations and the entry form are found on www.birdpex.com.
…
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/birdpex_10-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2026-04-17 14:08:122026-04-17 14:08:12BIRDPEX 10 again in Belgium
The following is a letter written by FEPA President Bill Hedley to the Presidents of all FEPA Member Federations, Associations and Unions.
Dear President,
Introduction of New FEPA Level of Promotion for European Exhibitions
On behalf of the FEPA Board, I am pleased to inform you about an important development in FEPA’s contribution to the promotion of international stamp exhibitions in Europe. Until now we have offered two levels of support for exhibitions: FEPA Patronage and FEPA Recognition. These have served our Members well and have contributed to strong, high-quality exhibitions across the continent.
Times move on, however, and in response to the growing diversity of exhibition formats and the desire of several Members for more flexibility in FEPA’s ability to support exhibitions, we have decided to introduce an additional level of promotion. Our aim is to provide a clearer pathway for exhibitions of different size, scope, and philatelic focus, thereby strengthening the overall European exhibition landscape.
In future there will be three levels of FEPA promotion for exhibitions, as follows:
FEPA Patronage: Our highest level, for continental exhibitions for all FEPA members with at least 1,200 frames, international jurors and full compliance with the established FEPA Patronage regulations. Patronage exhibitions such as EuroPhilEx and Hafnia will receive full support from FEPA, including recording of exhibits with 85+ points that can be shown in 8 frames at future exhibitions. The fee for Patronage will remain €5000.
FEPA Specialised Patronage: Specialised Patronage will be available for exhibitions such as ITALIA 2026 and ECTP that are focused on a specific philatelic field such as Postal History, Literature, Postal Stationery, Thematic and Aero. It will also be available for exhibitions that only involve a limited number of FEPA Members such as regional exhibitions. Jurors will be international and exhibits with 85+ points can show 8 frames at future exhibitions. The fee for Specialised Patronage will be €1000.
FEPA Recognition: Recognition is granted to national exhibitions with international participation, and to international exhibitions (including FIP) and multinational exhibitions with a mix of national and international jurors. It is an indication that the show has international support and FEPA will do everything it can to help an exhibition with Recognition to promote the show through advertising and distribution of news. The fee for Recognition will remain €500.
The new levels will be included in amendments to the FEPA Regulations for Exhibitions (FREGEX) that will be presented for approval at the FEPA Congress in Rome in October 2026. We hope this change will give our Members more options when planning future exhibitions and ensure that European exhibiting continues to thrive at all levels.
We encourage all Members to consider how FEPA can support their future exhibition plans. The FEPA Board remains available for questions, clarifications and discussions on how FEPA can best support your upcoming events.
Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to European philately. Together we strengthen both the quality and reach of our exhibitions, benefiting organisers, jurors, exhibitors, and our many visitors.
If you would like to share any thoughts with us on how we can continue to improve our contributions to the shared task of promoting philately in Europe, please let me know.
With best wishes
Bill Hedley
…
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/fepa-550.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2026-04-15 19:33:432026-04-15 19:33:43Introduction of New FEPA Level of Promotion for European Exhibitions
A Strategic and Operations Plan by the American Philatelic Society
The American Philatelic Society has revealed its strategic plan for the next five years and is sharing it in an 84-page publication. The plan is signed by Kirk Gillis, Executive Director; Mark Banchik, APS President; Murray Abramson, APRL President; and Lawrence Haber, Treasurer. In the Preface, we read the following:
Organized philately is not about stamps. It is about people and the infrastructure that connects them. It is about friendships formed at stamp shows and club meetings. It is about the quiet generosity of a mentor explaining plate varieties to a new collector. It is about the shared language and knowledge, created and reinforced by generations of collectors. It is about the fellowship and the spirit of curiosity that make this hobby so deeply rewarding.
Stamps and covers do not carry intrinsic value on their own – they are designed to be used and discarded. Yet for us, these ephemeral objects are imbued with deep meaning and value. The stories, history, and worth of our collections are constructed through the ecosystem that organized philately provides. That ecosystem does not happen by accident. It exists because generations of collectors built the organizations, wrote journal articles, mentored newcomers, preserved archives, and gathered in clubs and societies to share what they knew and loved.
The American Philatelic Society (APS) is entrusted with maintaining that ecosystem and nurturing the community it supports.
This plan was shaped with the input of staff, volunteer task forces, board members, individual members and other thought leaders who care deeply about organized philately. It reflects both realism and optimism. It recognizes that the hobby has evolved before and commits to evolving it again. Most importantly, it affirms that organized philately remains essential.
Read or download the Strategic and Operations Plan 2026-2030 from here:
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/APS_2026-Strategic-Plan_PROOF_sm.pdf
…
BIRDPEX 10 again in Belgium
After New Zealand (1990), Germany (1994), Great Britain (1998), the Netherlands (2002), Denmark (2006), Belgium (2010), France (2014), Luxembourg (2018) and Austria (2022), the 10th anniversary edition of BIRDPEX will take place again in Belgium (28-30 August, 2026). BIRDPEX is a specialised exhibition dedicated to all kinds of exhibits with the theme “birds”, primarily thematic philately, but other bird exhibits can also be shown (open philately, maximaphily, traditional philately, postal history, picture postcards, etc.). It is a national exhibition with international participation, also open to first-time exhibitors.
The anniversary exhibition BIRDPEX 10 will take place together with the national exhibition Philhainaut ’26 in La Louvière. After nine different countries, BIRDPEX will now reside for the second time in Belgium, with more than 100 bird species since 1985, the country of the longest-running definitive bird series in the world. We hope for many exhibitors and visitors to be present at this special event for bird collectors from all over the world. You still have time to send your entry form until 20th April. Regulations and the entry form are found on www.birdpex.com.
…
Introduction of New FEPA Level of Promotion for European Exhibitions
The following is a letter written by FEPA President Bill Hedley to the Presidents of all FEPA Member Federations, Associations and Unions.
Dear President,
Introduction of New FEPA Level of Promotion for European Exhibitions
On behalf of the FEPA Board, I am pleased to inform you about an important development in FEPA’s contribution to the promotion of international stamp exhibitions in Europe. Until now we have offered two levels of support for exhibitions: FEPA Patronage and FEPA Recognition. These have served our Members well and have contributed to strong, high-quality exhibitions across the continent.
Times move on, however, and in response to the growing diversity of exhibition formats and the desire of several Members for more flexibility in FEPA’s ability to support exhibitions, we have decided to introduce an additional level of promotion. Our aim is to provide a clearer pathway for exhibitions of different size, scope, and philatelic focus, thereby strengthening the overall European exhibition landscape.
In future there will be three levels of FEPA promotion for exhibitions, as follows:
FEPA Patronage: Our highest level, for continental exhibitions for all FEPA members with at least 1,200 frames, international jurors and full compliance with the established FEPA Patronage regulations. Patronage exhibitions such as EuroPhilEx and Hafnia will receive full support from FEPA, including recording of exhibits with 85+ points that can be shown in 8 frames at future exhibitions. The fee for Patronage will remain €5000.
FEPA Specialised Patronage: Specialised Patronage will be available for exhibitions such as ITALIA 2026 and ECTP that are focused on a specific philatelic field such as Postal History, Literature, Postal Stationery, Thematic and Aero. It will also be available for exhibitions that only involve a limited number of FEPA Members such as regional exhibitions. Jurors will be international and exhibits with 85+ points can show 8 frames at future exhibitions. The fee for Specialised Patronage will be €1000.
FEPA Recognition: Recognition is granted to national exhibitions with international participation, and to international exhibitions (including FIP) and multinational exhibitions with a mix of national and international jurors. It is an indication that the show has international support and FEPA will do everything it can to help an exhibition with Recognition to promote the show through advertising and distribution of news. The fee for Recognition will remain €500.
The new levels will be included in amendments to the FEPA Regulations for Exhibitions (FREGEX) that will be presented for approval at the FEPA Congress in Rome in October 2026. We hope this change will give our Members more options when planning future exhibitions and ensure that European exhibiting continues to thrive at all levels.
We encourage all Members to consider how FEPA can support their future exhibition plans. The FEPA Board remains available for questions, clarifications and discussions on how FEPA can best support your upcoming events.
Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to European philately. Together we strengthen both the quality and reach of our exhibitions, benefiting organisers, jurors, exhibitors, and our many visitors.
If you would like to share any thoughts with us on how we can continue to improve our contributions to the shared task of promoting philately in Europe, please let me know.
With best wishes
Bill Hedley
…