GERMAN-AMERICAN / AMERICAN-GERMAN SALON 2012

28 August – 5 September 2012

In Conjunction with the BALPEX 2012 National Philatelic Exhibition

Here is latest take on the 10th GPS / BDPh Salon and 2012 GPS convention. We encourage members to make their plans now for this signal event. Further information, including the procedure for making reservations for the special GPS-sponsored events, will be forthcoming. Hotel reservations and exhibit entries should be completed soon.

Location

Hunt Valley (Baltimore), Maryland, USA. Hunt Valley is approximately 50 miles from Dulles International Airport (IAD) at Washington D.C.

Access Hunt Valley by shuttle service (Super Shuttle) or automobile.

Located diagonally opposite the hotel is the Hunt Valley Center which includes:

§ Shopping center with department stores and specialty shops, including Sears, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Burlington Coat Factory.

§ Mega-supermarket with food court, offering a salad bar, hot and cold buffets (Chinese, Italian, American, etc.).

§ Restaurants: Outback Steak House, Carrabas (Italian), California Pizza Kitchen, Japanese Steak House and several upscale sandwich shops. A Five-Star Gourmet Restaurant (Oregon Grill) is a 10-minute drive, and many other restaurants within short driving range.

§ A “Light Rail System” provides transportation to the inner city, and another close by for visiting the Maryland State Fair. Fares (including a senior rate) are very reasonable.

BALPEX / Salon Hotel

Marriott Hunt Valley Inn (4-Star Hotel)

245 Shawan Road

Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031-1099, USA

Telephone: (410) 785-7000 Telefax: (410) 785-0341

Internet: www.marriotthuntvalley.com

· Hotel bookings should be made directly with the hotel, mentioning “BALPEX / Baltimore Philatelic Society Group Rate.” Reservations should be made as soon as possible. Single or double room show rates = US$ 117.00 + tax / night

· Hotel has both inside and outside swimming pools, whirlpool, fitness center, picnic tables and terrace seating, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, ATM machine, office center, WiFi, exhibition and banquet halls, free parking.

· Hotel permits no animals and no smoking in rooms or hotel. An outside smoking area location is designated by the hotel.

· The Germany Philatelic Society Hospitality Suite (all drinks and snacks gratis) will be open at selected times during the entire Salon event, managed by GPS Baltimore (Chapter 16) members. American beers, wines and snacks.

· Breakfast: American or Continental buffet in “Cinnamon Tree” hotel restaurant, or Starbucks Coffee Shop.

Lunch: “Cinnamon Tree” restaurant in the hotel, or at a nearby local restaurant.

Evening: In hotel only at the American Bar & Grille (full menu), or choose from approximately 20 local restaurants.

Stamp Exhibition: BALPEX 2012: 31 August – 2 September 2012

· 60 dealers

· 300+ 16-page exhibit frames

· BDPh Salon: 104 dedicated 16-page frames for BDPh members only

(Salon exhibits are not judged)

· Exhibition: All exhibitors (except Salon) must apply directly to BALPEX. Prospectus and entry forms are available on the BALPEX website www.balpex.org . Application deadline is June 30, but sooner is better as it is expected to be oversubscribed.

Salon Program

The Salon program includes three special day trips: Annapolis, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. There is a cost for these (see below for details) and reservations are required. Please make plans now for attending.

A Salon 2012 Reservations Form will be provided in the near future. This form will include:

§ Trip reservations for each of the three day trips

§ GPS Banquet reservation

§ BALPEX Show Banquet reservation

Welcome reception reservation ) No cost for these but information on

Farewell Pizza Party reservation ) numbers attending are needed

Hospitality Room visits ) for planning and purchasing.

Please make plans now in preparation for timely completion of the reservations form. Deadline for this is probably will be June 30.

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

· German visitors will be met at Dulles Airport, Washington D.C., by a “GPS Bus” approximately 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

· BDPh Group (only) guest transport from and (later) to airport. $60.00 round trip.

· In the evening, after hotel check-in, an informal “Welcome” event at the hotel. Champagne toast, drinks and snacks gratis.

· Distribution of “Guest Welcome Pack” that includes Salon program information, BALPEX program, area map and restaurant guide.

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

· Day Trip to Annapolis, Maryland. $60.00

60-minute trolley sightseeing tour of Annapolis. Shopping opportunity in Old Town. Optional visit to the U.S. Naval Academy and Museum.

8:30 a.m. Departure

10:00 a.m. Trolley Tour (trolley is air conditioned with cushioned seats)

11:30 a.m. Lunch at Middleton Tavern (self-pay)

12:45 p.m. Visit to U. S. Naval Academy (near restaurant) or town walk-about (unguided)

3:15 p.m. Return to hotel

· Dinner: Restaurant, open selection (self-pay)

· GPS Hospitality Suite open 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Thursday, 30 August 2012

· Options

Relaxation at hotel (swimming pool, fitness center, tennis)

Shopping at Hunt Valley Center

Trip via “Light Rail” to Maryland State Fair (hotel shuttle to light-rail station)

Trip via “Light Rail” to Baltimore City Center and Grand Prix automobile race.

· BALPEX: Mounting of exhibits 3:00-6:00 p.m.

· Dinner: Restaurant, open selection (self-pay)

· GPS Hospitality Suite open 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Friday, 31 August 2012

· BALPEX Philatelic Exhibition 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Exhibition and bourse, philatelic programs and semiinars, study group meetings

· Options for Non-Collectors

Maryland State Fair

Hunt Valley Center

· GPS Banquet / Dinner Buffet, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

· GPS Hospitality Suite open 6:30-7:15 p.m., 9:00 – 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, 1 September 2012

· BALPEX Philatelic Exhibition 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

· Joint BDPh / GPS Board Meeting with lunch, 12:30 PM

· Options for Non-Collectors

Maryland State Fair

Hunt Valley Center

· BALPEX 2012 Palmares Dinner Buffet, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

· Hospitality Suite at hotel: open 6:30-7:15 PM, 9:00 – 11:30 PM

Sunday, 2 September 2012

· 8:30-9:15 AM Inter-Religious Prayer Service..Father Ed Mullowny (Catholic), Pastor Priit Rebane (Protestant), Rabbi Levitt (Jewish).

· BALPEX Philatelic Exhibition 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Exhibit Break-Down 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

· Dinner: Restaurant, open selection (self-pay)

· GPS Hospitality Suite open 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Monday, 3 September 2012

· Day Trip to Philadelphia (~100 miles) by GPS Bus. $90.00

Constitution Square, “Carpenters’ Hall” (location of first Continental Congress), Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin Post Office location, short city tour

6:45 a.m. Departure (hotel buffet breakfast commences at 6:15 a.m.)

9:00 a.m. Arrival (approx..)

12:30 p.m. Lunch at City Tavern (included in tour fee) City Tour with GPS Bus

6:00 p.m. Return at hotel

· Dinner: Restaurant, open selection (self-pay)

· GPS Hospitality Suite open 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

· Day Trip to Washington D.C. $60.00

Smithsonian National Postal Museum with special guided tour and exhibits by Dr. Cheryl Ganz, Curator. Lunch. Native American Indian Museum. City tour.

8:30 a.m. Departure

10:00 a.m. Smithsonian National Postal Museum

12:30 p.m. Lunch (self-pay) at Native American Museum restaurant

2:30 p.m. Native American Museum

3:30 p.m. Return to hotel (arrival at hotel ~ 5:30 p.m.)

· Farewell Pizza Party at hotel, ~ 6:30 PM (free to GPS and BDPh members)

· GPS Hospitality Suite open 6:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

Departure

11:00 a.m. estimated departure of GPS bus to Dulles Airport for BDPh visitors

Schedule and pricing tentative pending final contracts with tour services.

Salon 2012 Application <=== Click here for application