The Great American Stamp Show 2025 will be held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, from August 14 to August 17. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, making it accessible for both seasoned philatelists and curious newcomers.

A Showcase of Philatelic Diversity

More than 75 dealers from the United States and abroad will offer a broad selection of stamps, postal history, and collecting supplies. Visitors can expect to see over 800 frames of competitive exhibits, including highlights from the Royal Philatelic Society of London and the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society. The event will also host over 40 national specialty societies, representing interests that range from cuisine and women’s history to crash mail, as well as country-specific societies for areas such as the Canal Zone, China, Japan, and the United Nations. A youth area will be dedicated to educational activities designed to inspire younger collectors.

Official Stamp Dedications

Several first-day-of-issue ceremonies will take place during the show. On Thursday, August 14, the Boston 2026 World Stamp Show stamp will be dedicated in the morning, followed later that day by the United Nations Postal Administration’s “No Nukes” issue. Friday’s program will include the USPS dedication of the “250 Years of Delivering” issue, the new Duck Stamp release, and the unveiling of the Rattlesnake Island Local Post stamp. On Saturday, August 16, the USPS will honor the Luna Moth stamp with a dedication ceremony.

Educational Presentations and Community Events

The schedule includes a range of presentations, meetups, and talks. Thursday will feature a Postcrossing meetup, a session on American authors and poets on first-day covers, an overview of the U.S. stamp program, a discussion on digital library resources for philatelists, and a presentation on the transition from USPOD to USPS. Friday will include an off-site film screening of The Stamp Thief with a question-and-answer session, another Postcrossing meetup, a presentation on Stamp Fulfillment Services, and a “Meet the President” event with the Royal Philatelic Society London. Saturday will offer a presentation on understanding auxiliary markings, a roundtable on catalog editing, an introduction to stamp collecting by the American Topical Association, a history of zeppelin mail, and a session on Japanese philately. Sunday’s events will include another Japanese philately session, a presentation by the Illinois Postal History Society on local post offices, and a session on estate planning for philatelists. Daily book signings will also take place during the show.

Exhibition and Competition

The competitive exhibition will include thematic, first-day cover, and open competitions, in both multiframe and single-frame formats. The show will also host the World Series of Philately’s Champion of Champions and Most Popular Champion of Champions competitions. In addition, the 56th Annual Literature Exhibition will be presented, showcasing philatelic research and publications from around the world.

Attendee Experience and Logistics

Attendees are encouraged to pre-register online before July 31 to save time upon arrival, though on-site registration will remain available. The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel offers convenient accommodations with reserved room blocks at a special rate for attendees, along with complimentary self-parking. Shuttle services and detailed program guides will be available, helping visitors navigate the venue and take full advantage of the events and exhibits.