Press Releases

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    SUMMARY (Most Recent on Top)
    (Click on Date to read full Release)

  • November 21, 2000  Virginia Philatelic Federation gives important monetary contribution and pledges support

  • April 20, 2000  Washington 2006 shortened from an 11-day to an 8-day Exhibition now starting May 27 and ending June 3

  • March 14, 2000  Washington 2006 announces Florida Federation of Stamp Clubs contribution

  • October 19, 1999  Washington 2006 starts World Series of Philately (WSP) contribution 'challenge'

  • September 2, 1999  Washington 2006 selected to receive matching gifts from AT&T and Bank of America

  • August 31, 1999  Washington 2006 announces Gordon Morison selected as Executive Director/Vice-President of Operations

  • August 12, 1999  Dr. Dixon announces logo design contest winners, logo now in use and available to download

  • March 29, 1999  Olymphilex 96 Donates $5,200 to Washington 2006 (APS Press Release)

  • January 20, 1999  Three American Philatelic Society members added to Washington 2006 Board of Directors

  • November 3, 1998  American Philatelic Society and Washington 2006 Reach Agreement. Mr. John Hotchner, President of the APS signs with Dr. Dixon.

  • October 21, 1998  Logo design contest rules established, contest runs between November 1, 1998 to March 31, 1999.   First prize $500, second $300, and third $200.

  • October 20, 1998  Ground-breaking ceremony held October 2, 1998 for the new Washington DC Convention Center.   Construction scheduled to finish March 2003.

  • August 1, 1998  Washington 2006 launches web site and notifies major search engines. The site goes public, with the counter at 150 impressions, after a 100-day development.

FULL TEXT


  • November 21, 2000 (Page Top)

    WASHINGTON 2006 REPORTS THE RECEIPT OF AN IMPORTANT MONETARY CONTRIBUTION FROM THE VIRGINIA PHILATELIC FEDERATION

    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington 2006, the next American Philatelic Society sponsored world philatelic exhibition to be held in the United States, reported recently the receipt of a substantial contribution from the Virginia Philatelic Federation (VPF).

    In making the contribution on behalf of the VPF, its current President Mr. Michael E. Falls, stated that the money was being provided to Washington 2006 to not only help with expenses, but also to show that Washington 2006 can count on the Federation and its over 30 member clubs for the support that will be needed to put on the exhibition.

    In accepting the gift, Dr. Dixon, praised the Virginia Philatelic Federation for the contribution, its dedication to the hobby, and its commitment to supporting Washington 2006. In his remarks, Dixon pledged to maintain the close relationship between the two organizations, noting that a Washington 2006 Vice President, Steve Luster, was also serving on the VPF Board of Directors.

    Dixon again thanked President Falls and commented on the generosity of the VPF and commended the Federation for taking up the contribution challenge originally started by the Oklahoma City Stamp Club last year.

    For more information about Washington 2006, please write to Washington 2006, Post Office Box 2006, Ashburn, Virginia 20146-2006.



  • March 14, 2000 (Page Top)

    WASHINGTON 2006 CHANGES DATES OF SHOW

    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington 2006 announced recently that the dates have changed slightly for the Washington 2006 exhibition.   Instead of an 11-day exhibition to be held May 25-June 4, 2006, the exhibition will now run over 8 days from May 27-June 3, 2006.

    According to Dixon, the Washington 2006 Board of Directors began looking about a year ago, at alternatives to the originally-scheduled 11-day show.   Dixon stated that there has been a trend away from 11-day world philatelic exhibitions and also that he had been approached by a number of people who suggested that the matter be looked into with a view toward coming up with alternatives for a show covering fewer days.

    The Washington 2006 dates were changed after consultations and exchanges of information between Washington 2006, the American Philatelic Society, the American Stamps Dealers Association, the United States Postal Service and the Washington DC Convention Center and Visitors Bureau.   According to Dixon, the new opening and closing dates will allow for optimal weekend and Memorial Day attendance at the show.   Additionally, the new dates make the best use of the new Washington, DC convention center while ensuring that we control the costs associated with using that facility.

    For more information about Washington 2006, please visit our web site at http://www.washington-2006.org/ or write to Washington 2006, Post Office Box 2006, Ashburn, Virginia 20146-2006.


  • March 14, 2000 (Page Top)

    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington Philatelic Exhibition, Incorporated, the parent organization of Washington 2006, the next American Philatelic Society sponsored world philatelic exhibition to be held in the United States, reported recently the receipt of a generous contribution* from the Florida Federation of Stamp Clubs.

    In accepting the gift, Dixon, praised the Florida Federation not only for the contribution, but also for its dedication to the hobby and all the work accomplished, not the least of which was presenting the nationally renowned FLOREX stamp exhibition.

    Dixon commented that he received the contribution with mixed emotions. While he was glad to receive the gift, he was sorry that it came from the funds remaining after the Federation dissolution.

    For more information about Washington 2006, please write to Washington 2006, Post Office Box 2006, Ashburn, Virginia 20146-2006 or vist our website at washington-2006.org.


  • October 19, 1999 (Page Top)
    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of WASHINGTON 2006 announced October 10, 1999 the start of a WASHINGTON 2006 World Series of Philately (WSP) contribution 'challenge.' Dixon stated that the challenge was the idea of Joe Crosby the OKPEX 2000 Chairman. Crosby's idea was to make a contribution to Washington 2006 and then have all other WSP shows make contributions to WASHINGTON 2006 in response to his challenge.

    The Oklahoma City Stamp Club, sponsor of OKPEX, recently sent a $500.00 donation to WASHINGTON 2006, and has pledged to donate another $500.00 in September of 2000. Joe Crosby stated that "our Club wants to demonstrate our support for having International Philatelic Exhibitions in the United States and to formally encourage and invite all other WSP shows to make similar donations."

    Crosby explained, "this money is to provide unconditional funds to assist the WASHINGTON 2006 Committee, not given as an 'underwriter' expecting to get the money back, or to receive any special status or favor from the event. It is intended to start a 'grass-roots' effort to provide financial support to those who have accepted the responsibility of organizing and operating the International Philatelic Exhibition in Washington, D.C. in 2006."

    OKPEX 2000 will be held on May 5-7 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 4345 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK. For more information write OKPEX, P.O. Box 26542, Oklahoma City, OK. 73126.

    Stephen Luster, President of National Philatelic Exhibitions, Incorporated, the organization that sponsors NAPEX, an annual APS WSP show in Washington, DC, announced September 18, 1999 that NAPEX has risen to the challenge announced by the Oklahoma City Stamp Club which invited all other WSP shows to contribute to WASHINGTON 2006.

    In making his announcement, Luster indicated that NAPEX had made an unconditional gift of $1,000 to WASHINGTON 2006 in response to the OKPEX 'challenge.' Luster thanked the OKPEX organization, the Oklahoma City Stamp Club and in particular, Mr. Joe Crosby, who had the original idea.

    NAPEX 2000 will be held on June 2-4 at the McLean Hilton Hotel, 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA. For more information check the NAPEX website at http://www.wdn.com/napex/ or write 3307 Chicamuxen Court, Falls Church, VA 22041.

    In his remarks, Dixon thanked Joe Crosby representing OKPEX and Stephen Luster representing NAPEX for their contributions. In concluding, Dixon stated "the important need to raise 'seed' money for WASHINGTON 2006 and encouraged all stamp clubs, societies, affiliates and individuals to meet or beat the amounts contributed by OKPEX and NAPEX."

    Contributions to WASHINGTON 2006 can be made by writing to that organization at P.O. Box 2006, Ashburn, VA 20146-2006. The current status of the WSP Challenge can be viewed at any time on the WASHINGTON 2006 website at http://www.washington-2006.org/finance.html.


  • September 2, 1999 (Page Top)

    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington Philatelic Exhibition, Incorporated, the parent organization of Washington 2006, the next American Philatelic Society sponsored world philatelic exhibition to be held in the United States, announced August 31, 1999 that the Bank of America has become the second corporation to certify Washington 2006 as an authorized recipient of matching gifts.

    In making the announcement, Dixon thanked the Bank of America for its generous contribution. He went on to say that "the Bank of America has been added to AT&T which had previously certified Washington 2006 to receive matching gifts." Dixon went on to state that "he hoped to sign up many more companies in the matching gift program. It is an important part of the Washington 2006 fundraising campaign because a matching gift doubles the amount of money we receive."

    In his remarks, Dixon called on all AT&T, Bank of America employees and philatelists everywhere to contribute to Washington 2006. He also asked that people let him know of other companies who have matching gift programs. Dixon can be reached through the Washington 2006 website at http://www.washington-2006.org/ or info@washington-2006.org.


  • August 31, 1999 (Page Top)

    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington Philatelic Exhibition, Incorporated, the parent organization of Washington 2006, the next American Philatelic Society sponsored world philatelic exhibition to be held in the United States, announced August 19, 1999 the selection of Mr. Gordon Morison of Potomac, Maryland as the Executive Director of Washington 2006.

    Morison, a former Assistant Postmaster General, is a well-known national and international philatelist who is fully conversant with exhibition management and operations. We knew the type of person we wanted for the Executive Director's job, stated Dixon, and while it took us a while, we got exactly the person we wanted and we are thrilled to have him filling one of our most important positions.

    In making the announcement, Dixon stated that Mr. Morison was concurrently elected to the Washington 2006 Board of Directors with the title of Vice President of Operations. Dixon stated that Washington 2006 wanted to have an Executive Director on board as early as possible, and by adding Mr. Morison to the Board of Directors, we will ensure that he is privy to all decisions and part of the decision making process during all stages of exhibition planning.

    Morison, who is currently serving as the President of Nordia 2001, Inc., an international exhibition to be held January 19-21, 2001 in Tucson, Arizona, indicated that he was looking forward to the Washington 2006 challenge. He stated that he was stepping into a big job and that he could use lots of help. He asked philatelists with experience in the myriad jobs associated with a world philatelic exhibition to volunteer their help by filling out the volunteer form on the Washington 2006 web site at http://www.washington-2006.org/, or by writing to him care of Washington 2006, Post Office Box 2006, Ashburn, Virginia 20146-2006.


  • August 12, 1999 (Page Top)
    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington Philatelic Exhibition, Incorporated, the parent organization of Washington 2006, the next American Philatelic Society sponsored world philatelic exhibition to be held in the United States, reported today that a design submitted by Mr. Gary R. Bennett of Elkhart, Indiana was selected as the winning entry in the Washington 2006 logo design contest. A copy of the winning entry accompanies this release.

    According to Dixon, the design competition was a keen one with 18 entries submitted, several from as far away as China. "We are delighted to have our official logo" stated Dixon who also indicated that the logo was selected due to its simplicity, visual conveyance of philately and the exhibition's host city, Washington, DC, and the ability of the design to adapt to a wide range of uses including the exhibition medals. In his remarks, Dr. Dixon indicated that second place was given to an entry submitted by Mr. Leonard Holmsten of Hayward, California. Third place was awarded to a design submitted by Mr. Bill Dussinger of Lititz, Pennsylvania. Winners will receive checks in the amount of $500, $300 and $200 respectively.

    In his remarks, Dixon thanked everyone who entered the contest, saying that the competition was keen and the winner was selected from a large number of excellent designs

    Dixon also stated that the philatelic press could use the logo carte blanche in conjunction with articles about the Washington 2006 exhibition appearing in newspapers, magazines and the like. Dixon asked other parties interested in using the logo to contact Washington 2006 by e-mail at logoinfo@washington-2006.org, or by writing to Washington 2006, Post Office Box 2006, Ashburn, Virginia 20146-2006.


  • March 29, 1999 (Page Top)
    At the APS AMERICAS 99 Awards Banquet in Orlando, Florida, Nancy Zielinski Clark, President of Olymphilex presented Stephen Luster, General Chairman of Washington 2006, with a check representing the profits from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic philatelic exhibition.

    Clark said "though a relatively small World Exhibition, Olymphilex 96 is gratified to be able to continue the tradition of endowing a future World Exhibition with seed money. We are pleased to present Washington 2006 with this modest legacy: $5,200.00. We wish you well."

    APS President John Hotchner welcomed the contribution observing that, "this gift reflects the faith of the philatelic community in the ability of the Washington 2006 team to plan and manage a first class international show: one befitting the United States and one that returns to the tradition of American shows that prudently manage their assets and - in the end - earn a profit which will benefit the hobby". Hotchner also expressed the Society's appreciation to Nancy Clark and the Olymphilex volunteers who made this gift possible.

    Washington 2006, scheduled for May 25 to June 4, 2006, is the next world philatelic exhibition to be held under full FIP auspices in the United States. Additional information on the show is available from PO Box 60007, Potomac, MD 20859 or their web site at http://www.washington-2006.org/.

    APS press Release of March 16, 1999


  • January 20, 1999 (Page Top)
    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington 2006 announced today the election of new members to the corporation's Board of Directors. Dixon stated that the agreement with the APS provided for the APS to nominate three members. The APS nominated Dr. Peter McCann of Annapolis, Maryland (an APS Vice-president), Mrs. Jeanette Adams of Indianapolis, Indiana (a member of the APS Board of Directors), and the APS Executive Director Mr. Robert "Bob" Lamb, of State College, Pennsylvania.

    Dixon indicated that he and the current Board members were pleased that this next step in the evolution of the Washington 2006 management team had taken place.

    Dixon ended his comments by stating that all Washington 2006 Board positions were "active" positions and he was looking forward to a future Board meeting at which Directors' areas of responsibility would be discussed.


  • November 3, 1998 (Page Top)
    Mr. John Hotchner, President of the American Philatelic Society, and Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington Philatelic Exhibition, Incorporated, the parent organization of Washington 2006, jointly announced today (November 3, 1998), the signing of an agreement between the two organizations.

    Hotchner stated that the agreement will serve as the basis of cooperation between the APS and Washington 2006.   He indicated that the APS has placed its trust in the Washington 2006 corporation and committee and is looking forward to sponsoring and working closely with Washington 2006 to ensure that it becomes the best world philatelic exhibition ever held.

    According to Dixon, the agreement with the APS solidifies and institutionalizes the spirit of cooperation started when the APS Board of Directors selected the committee representing Washington, DC to host the next FIP international exhibition in the United States.   Dixon stated that "we promised an open style of management and the agreement ensures that we will operate under complete oversight of the APS."   In return the APS has pledged its support and help in putting on the exhibition.

    For more information about Washington 2006, please write to Washington 2006, PO Box 2006, Ashburn, VA 20146-2006.


  • October 21, 1998 (Page Top)
    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington Philatelic Exhibition, Inc, the business entity sponsoring the Washington 2006 philatelic exhibition, announced today the imminent start of a Washington 2006 logo design contest.

    Washington 2006 will be a world philatelic exhibition held in Washington, DC in the year 2006.   The committee putting on the exhibition will do so under the authority of the American Philatelic Society and with the patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).

    Dixon stated that the Washington 2006 organization is offering a $500.00 cash prize to the artist who submits the winning entry.   Second and third place cash prizes are also being offered.

    Dixon remarked that while all logo designs would be considered, Washington 2006 was leaning towards a logo that incorporated both an aspect of the city of Washington DC (e.g., the dome of the Capitol) and philately (e.g., stylized perforations) into its design.   Dixon emphasized that Washington 2006 was looking for designs that were simple, easily adaptable to a variety of formats, including electronic, and ones that could be easily executable as the main theme in the award medals to be used for the exhibition.

    Persons interested in entering the logo design contest can obtain a copy of the contest rules from the Washington 2006 web site at http://www.washington-2006.org/, or by writing to Washington 2006, P.O. Box 2006, Ashburn, VA 20146-2006.


  • October 20, 1998 (Page Top)
    Dr. Michael D. Dixon, President of Washington Philatelic Exhibition, Incorporated, the parent organization of Washington 2006, the next American Philatelic Society sponsored world philatelic exhibition to be held in the United States, reports that the Washington DC Convention Center and Visitors Bureau held a ground-breaking ceremony (October 2nd) for the new convention center, the future home of Washington 2006.

    According to Dixon, the new convention center is being built several blocks from the existing convention center, in the heart of a revitalized area of the District of Columbia.   Scheduled for completion in 2003, the new convention center will have over 800,000 square feet of usable space.

    Dixon stated that when completed "...the convention center will be one of the finest facilities of its kind in the world."   He went on to say that "we are looking forward to hosting a world class exhibition in the new convention center and know that philatelists the world over will be delighted with the new venue."

    For more information about Washington 2006, please write to Washington 2006, Post Office Box 2006, Ashburn, Virginia 20146-2006.


  • August 1, 1998 (Page Top)
    Although the Washington 2006 World Philatelic Exhibition to be held in Washington, D.C., is more than seven years in the future, it now has a web site.

    The site is linked from various other sites, the American Philatelic Society site and Joe Luff's site among them, or it can be reached directly at http://www.washington-2006.org/   The site has pages for organization, how to volunteer, useful related links, and Washington, D.C. area activities.

    Early activities focus on recruiting volunteers, including translators for French, German, and Spanish web sites that will mirror the English site.   Collectors and other who would like to volunteer can fill out an online volunteer form.

    Douglas Lehmann, webmaster for the site, reports that he will continually update and improve it.   He states that a Washington 2006 logo contest will be launched soon.   The winning design will be incorporated into a revised logo.   Lehmann hopes the site will supply information to the stamp-collecting public, while the costs will be carried by revenue received from advertisers.

    The site has a clever opening-day countdown, giving viewers the time left (years down to seconds) until the show opens on Thursday, May 25, 2006.


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