Shell show
SAVE THE DATES !! – 18 – 19 May 2024
Registration form / info for dealers => email bvcgloriamaris@gmail.com
Info about Shell of the Show or André Delsaerdt Award => email bvcgloriamaris@gmail.com
WHAT is the “Shell Show”?
Our annual shell fair has grown over the years to become one of the largest – if not THE largest – shell shows worldwide. With nearly 400 meters of tables one can find an enormous offer of seashells, offered by dealers from all over the world.
The event is known all over, and next to finding fantastic shells, one can meet with shell friends from all over the world for a nice chat within the exciting environment of the fair as an extra.
WHERE is the “Shell Show”?
Would you like to visit the fair? Welcome !
Since 2018 the fair is held at “Sporthal Kattenbroek” in Edegem (near Antwerp, Belgium), and such during the third weekend of May.
Apart from a roomy and illuminated hall, Kattenbroek offers a child-friendly playground, cozy terrace, and catering.
The address is:
Sporthal Kattenbroek
Kattenbroek 14
2650 Edegem
Belgium
Will you come by car? Then check out the map here.
Will you come by public transport? Then check the route planner here.
Want more info about Kattenbroek? See www.kattenbroek.be
HOW to participate yourself as a dealer ?
Would you like to participate yourself as a dealer? Just send us an email. with your name, number of desired tables (1 table = 2 meters) and number of desired badges and the names of the people who will be wearing them! Please also read the following guidelines for dealers.
For further information on your participation to our Shell Show, you can contact our secretary Rika Goethaels (email: bvcgloriamaris@gmail.com; or +32 475 70 85 01).
HOW it all started.
Since 1991, the Royal Belgian Society for Conchology organises a shell show on an annual basis.
During the pioneer years, the shell show was held at the Damiaan-instituut in the city of Aarschot (Belgium) – also thanks to the professional activities as a teacher of one of the organizers. Soon, the student dining area of the school became too small for the ever growing number of dealers and visitors and the fair was relocated to Antwerp.
The sports center “Schijnpoort” was rented in the city of Deurne (next to Antwerp, Belgium) – next to the famous Antwerp “Sports Palace”. This location served us for the monthly meetings as well as the annual shell fair. Government plans 10 years onwards for the “Oosterweel verbinding” (a new bypass / ring for the city of Antwerp) made that we had to look for new location once again.
A new location was found in Hoboken (next to Antwerp) once again in a sports center called “Extra Time” in Hoboken (see photo on the right made during the build-up of the 2014 show). This would again be the epicenter of our monthly and yearly activities for the next ten years. Expansion of that region and plans to convert the sports center to a seminar-facility forced us in 2017 to say goodbye and once again look for a new location.
Ever since, monthly meetings are held at the “Cultureel Centrum van Sint-Anneke Linkeroever” (Cultural Center of the region “Sint-Anneke” on the left bank of the river Schelde), and the annual shell show is – since 2018 – held at the sports center “Kattenbroek” in Edegem (south of Antwerp). (see photo on the left from the build-up in 2018).
Even if it is located somewhat in the back, Kattebroek offers the best facilities at present with regards to the hall, light, catering, child-friendliness and cleanness. We hope we can continue to organize our Shell Show for many years to come !
