Just a reminder to start making plans to attend our next Annual Meeting, which be held at NOJEX in Secaucus, New Jersey during the weekend of May 23 to 25, 2008.  The venue for the show will be the Meadowlands Crowne Plaza Hotel at 2 Harmon Plaza in Secaucus.  Reservations can be made by calling either the toll free national number, 877-227-6963, or the hotel directly at 201-348-6900.

Since my message last month, NOJEX has announced that the APS Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges (CANEJ) has approved the Jury of Roger G. Schnell, Chief Judge (FL), Jay B. Stotts (TX), Martin D. Richardson (MI), Matthew W. Kewriga (MD), and Dr. Edward J. Andrews (PA).  This is a well-rounded group with a strong background in judging U.S. material.  If you intend to exhibit at the show, I’d urge you to submit your application now since the frames should fill up early.  The Prospectus and Application can be found on the NOJEX website, which we have linked to our website under “Meetings & Events.”  You can also obtain copies by writing to Glenn Spies at P.O. Box 1740, Bayonne, NJ 07002.

One especially noteworthy occurrence at this year’s Annual Meeting will be the release of the 2008 Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog.  This edition will be very different from the previous ones – all in a good way.  There will be many more illustrations, all of which will be in color.  The size will change to an 8½ x 11 format because of the increased number of pages and, for the first time, the book will be available in both the usual perfect bound version as well as a spiral bound version to make it easier to leave open on a desk or at a show.  The price of each version has yet to be finalized but will be announced in The Specialist prior to the Annual Meeting.

Over the years, the Society has earned a reputation of providing a strong slate of presentations covering a wide range of topics at our Annual Meetings.  We would like to continue this at NOJEX, so please contact me if you would be willing to share some of your expertise with others.  Also, if any of the committees or study groups would like to hold a meeting at the show, please let me know so I can schedule it with the show committee.

—Nick Lombardi
President