2025 AHPS Shows
There is an important birthday coming up in 2025 – ours! The modern version of AHPS was founded in 1975. As part of our 50th anniversary celebration next year, AHPS will be attending *two* philatelic shows in 2025. Befitting both the “American” and the “Helvetia” in our name, one show in the US and one show in Switzerland.
Starting in the US at WESTPEX 2025 in San Francisco from April 25 to 27, 2025. And then moving to Switzerland at BERNABA 2025 in Bern from May 14 to 17, 2025. A special two-show program in honor of our fifty years of philatelic achievements!
We know that many of you will want to attend one or both shows in 2025. This means advance planning as 2025 is coming up FAST. Of all of the dates below, the first important date is the BERNABA Exhibition Registration deadline of Sat, Dec 7, 2024!! That’s just a month from now to get your registration in if you’re planning to exhibit in Bern.
So strap in. Here we go. The AHPS Philatelic Shows in 2025 by the numbers. Pay particular attention to Exhibitor Registration deadlines and Regulations if you’re an exhibitor.
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Show Dates:
Wednesday to Saturday, 25 to 27 April 2025
Wednesday to Saturday, 14 to 17 May 2025
Why to attend
An undisputed premier US show. 250+ frames, 70 dealers. One of the must attend shows. AHPS is a guest society.
The big one in Switzerland. Held once every four years. And in 2025 it’s also a multilateral, so collectors from 7 key European countries will be exhibiting. Everybody you’ve ever heard of in Swiss philately will be there. You must go at least once to experience the true soul of our stamps.
Held at
San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel, Burlingame, California
BernExpo Convention Center, Bern, Switzerland
Exhibitor Registration Deadline
AHPS Special Reserve of 35 frames until Jan 15, 2025.
Then open registration Feb 28, 2025 or until frames fill.
December 7, 2024.
Exhibitors Forms and notices
Regulations and Registration here:
ulations and Registration here: Regulations, Registration, Frames – English | Bernaba 2025 (bernaba25.ch)
AHPS members register via Mr. Giovanni Balimann as we are considered “Switzerland” since we are a member of FSPhS.
Unofficial English translation of Regulations (att 1).
Note frame dimensions:
Regulations, Registration, Frames – English | Bernaba 2025 (bernaba25.ch)
You may register for the National category, or you may register for the Multilateral category due to the same reason, we are a member of FSPhS and so are considered “Switzerland”.
Import/Export process (att 2). (OK, I know there are a wide variety of opinions on the “best” way “to do customs”. This is a safe, conservative view (you know, like the Swiss.) Take other views if you wish at your own discretion and risk.
Hotels
San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel. Show rates are available.
ibis Bern Expo, ibis Budget Bern Expo, Novetel, Harry’s Home. Show rates are not available. More info: Hotels – Location – English | Bernaba 2025 (bernaba25.ch)
** watchout ** Book your hotel soon, even before your airline tickets. Eurovision is happening in Basel the same week and will start to suck up hotels even in Bern.
** note ** If you wish to book a different hotel than those above, anything on the Tram 9 line is easy to get to the show.
Airport
SFO. Complimentary shuttle from airport to hotel.
ZRH or GVA, take your pick. Take train directly from either airport to Bern, less than 2 hours with no changes.
Local things to do
YES! BART into the city in less than an hour.
YES! Tram is 13 minutes to the center of Bern. List of activities coming soon. Add a couple of days for exploring.
Show Program / website
Program/Website: https://www.westpex.com/
AHPS at the Show
AHPS Member Presentations. Society Dinner.
AHPS Society Booth. Society Dinner. And more. Outings will be arranged.
AHPS Contact
John Kofranek (jakmjos@comcast.net)
Paul Sobon (paul_sobon@outlook.com)
We will be talking more about WESTPEX and BERNABA over the coming weeks and in our monthly Member Meetings.
If you have any immediate burning questions, please contact John for WESTPEX or Paul for BERNABA.
Hopefully many of us will be able to attend one — or both – of the shows as part of this special 50-year anniversary of our dear American Helvetia Philatelic Society.