APF VIRTUAL NEWS
VIRTUAL EXHIBITIONS: APPRICIATED ALL OVER
Nowadays we all are talking about easy, convenient and affordable participation in philatelic exhibitions because when we see the traditional way of exhibiting i.e. physical exhibiting and participation in exhibitions; we find it quite difficult, costly, cumbersome, hard to participate and not so easily accessible. Technology has undoubtedly changed the face of traditional exhibiting where in specially participation in international exhibitions is quite a difficult task where in physical exhibits are well packed, carried through different stages through couriers and messengers after getting various clearances and paying huge amount in the process, then handing over, displaying on frame, removal, re-packing and brought back through carrier and courier. Not only does this process take huge time, it is also quite unsafe in terms of exhibiting sheets getting damaged or even lost or stolen during the process. Furthermore, its viewership is limited as only those who visit the exhibition venue can see the exhibits.
The virtual or digital philatelic exhibitions use platforms like dedicated websites or social media to present exhibits, often features like virtual reality and interactive elements to reach a global audience with clear views of exhibits which can be enlarged to view properly. These have been found to be quite cost effective as participation fee and other expenditures are quite low, extremely convenient to display, highly safe as far as physical damage or loss is concerned, accessible with world-wide 24-hour viewership, provides enhanced visitor’s experience and engagement, easy to judge and communicate. Such exhibitions also feature watching live webinars, virtual booths of dealers and philatelic organizations, chat sessions and interactions sitting at home anywhere in the world but need only with net connectivity and systems to operate such as Mobile Phone or computers.
We have found philatelic thinkers and organizers have started appreciating these exhibitions. It only needs a net friendly dedicated team to communicate, entertain financial transactions digitally, to set up a digital platform with sufficient digital space for better display, even the jury judges it digitally sitting at home as there is no physical display.
Yes of course, the physical exhibits need to be certified by a local or regional or national authorized philatelic body or person for genuineness of the exhibit before those are accepted for digital displays. At least for the first time.
We have seen that during last two or three years there has been much thinking and working on such exhibitions to make it more convenient, safe, better in terms of display and viewership, to attract more and more stamp lovers and philatelist to help promotion of philately.
Hence, we look forward for more and more philatelic organizations to come forward to conduct such exhibitions and promote this beautiful education hobby of stamp collecting.
-Naresh Agrawal, Bilaspur (C.G.) email nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in Mob / WhatsApp: 09425530514
Rainbow Stamp News, the monthly e-stamp bulletin edited and published by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun (India), has published an article about the AUSVIPEX 2025 show, which is great inspiration for us. Thank you, Mr. Naresh Kumar.
Dated: 02/12/2025
My Experience as an Exhibitor in Ausvipex 2025
-Sushil Mehra
In recent issues of Rainbow News, Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti as well as Mr. Naresh Agarwal have touched upon the important subject of rising costs of participating in International Exhibitions. I totally agree with their views. There is no dearth of philatelic exhibiting talent in India. The recent district and state level exhibitions have shown that if exhibiting costs are kept low, exhibitors across categories and different states come forward in big numbers to participate with high quality exhibits on a variety of subjects. But sadly, when it comes to participating in international exhibitions the costs are so prohibitive in recent times that a middle-class Indian or even upper middle class Indian cannot afford to send exhibits. This is a sad state of affairs for philately in India. Causes of this are many including steep currency depreciation, high cost of travel and lodging abroad, bureaucratic difficulties in ASI clearances and high frame fees in some of these exhibitions.
The solution as pointed out by Mr. Naresh Agarwal in the last issue of Rainbow Stamp News is Virtual International Exhibitions. As an exhibitor at the recent Ausvipex International Exhibition I would like to share my experience and some tips/advantages for exhibitors in future international virtual exhibitions:
• Please do not miss opportunities to take part in Virtual Fairs as many of them do not have entry barriers based on past participation unlike Physical International Exhibitions.
• India had 20+ exhibits at Ausvipex and worldwide this was 100+. It could have been much much more…
• Cost of Participation in Ausvipex for a 5 frame Exhibit was just Rs. 5800. I made it a point to exhibit many of my exhibits to take advantage of this. Participating in an international physical exhibition would have costed almost Rs. 1 Lakh for each such exhibit. The difference is almost 20 times!!
• Please make sure you have a Paypal account or you should know how to transfer amounts abroad by Paypal or Telegraphic Transfer from Indian Net Banking using A2 form as Exhibitors ask for the fees in Foreign Currency. It sounds difficult but it is NOT. Please do not consider the payment mode as a hindrance. If a senior citizen like me can crack it so can youngsters. One visit to the bank is needed for Telegraphic Transfer or if you are net savvy you can also do it online by linking your card to Paypal.
• Please make sure you keep your exhibits as a Soft Copy with you in PDF as well JPG format. As different organizers need different formats. Ausvipex asked for .jpg while some ask for PDF.
• Exhibits should be scanned after mounted and not be digitally modified.
• Always scan exhibits after mounting but without outer Plastic Sheet.
• A4 scan is easier on a home/office scanner. For A3, you can visit any local xerox shop if you do not have it at your office.
• Certificates for Virtual fairs also come by Soft Copy.
• Virtual fairs give you an opportunity to showcase your exhibit globally at a low cost.
• It is also a learning opportunity to see other exhibitors and learn from them.
• It carries no hassle of ASI and allotment issues.
In my opinion Ausvipex 2025 has let the cat out and we will have more such exhibitions in the future.
-Sushil Mehra – Bangalore- email: gaureshmehra@gmail.com
Rainbow Stamp News, the monthly e-stamp bulletin edited and published by Jeevan Jyoti from Dehradun (India), has featured another article on the AUSVIPEX 2025 show. We truly appreciate this support. Thank you, Mr. Sushil Mehra.
Dated: 02/12/2025