A special guest stole the show at this week’s National Postal Forum in Nashville, TN: Benjamin Franklin.
The first postmaster general was on hand to help USPS get a jump start on its 250th anniversary this summer.
In addition to chatting with attendees at the mailing and shipping conference, ol’ Ben also posed for lots of selfies.
“That’s what I’m here for,” he said.
Franklin was played by Brian Best, a Clarksville, TN, actor who was cast in the role after event organizers scouted local theater companies.
To prepare for the part, Best read up on Franklin’s life and watched “Franklin,” Apple TV’s recent eight-part limited series starring Michael Douglas.
“It’s been interesting to find out all the things he did for the Postal Service and the practices that he created that are still being used today,” Best said. “It’s been an honor to be here.”
Best sellers
One of the biggest draws at the National Postal Forum was the Postal Service’s retail booth, where attendees could stock up on stamps, souvenir postmarks and more.
“Attendees have been really excited about the merchandise,” said Larissa Valdez, an external customer liaison specialist based in Washington, DC.
“The Betty White stamps went fast and that was expected. The stamp has been one of the most sought after that I’ve seen at the counter,” said Josh Beacom, a Murfreesboro, TN, retail associate.
Also selling out: Mr. ZIP plush toys and books.
“Mr. ZIP is a huge hit,” said Maylee Kaiyuan, a Washington, DC, retail strategy specialist.
Going out on a high note
The National Postal Forum is a business meeting, but there are opportunities to have fun, too.
This year’s event included “NPF’s Got Talent,” where attendees could sing, dance and perform.
Among the participants: Mike Porter, a communications specialist for the chief processing and distribution officer’s organization who recently appeared in Link’s “Off the Clock” column, and Abby Martin, an integration and support manager at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC.
Porter sang and Martin played fiddle for their solo numbers, but they combined efforts to perform “The Tennessee Yodeler” — a hit with the crowd.
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