The IPMS Nationals are going to be held in Omaha in 2011, and I was wondering about a few things:
Do you have to be a member to get in? The OmaCon contest did not charge admission, but it was a small local gathering. I would very much like to attend, but if it is for IPMS members only, Im afraid I wont be able to get in… [:(]
How do you become a member of IPMS? Are there dues to pay?
Has anybody been to a large model show before, and if so, what are some things I should know?
any other advice and/or tid-bits would be greatly appreciated!
but you get a magazine for the year so it’s not bad at all. Just sign up, go to the site I posted. at shows, I havn’t been to one the size of nats, but at bigger shows just make sure your entry-forms are correct, as at smaller shows they have a lot more time to help out if you make a mistake.
You don’t have to be a member to attend the Nats as a spectator, but you do have to be a member to enter models in the competition.
Membership is $25 per year & that includes a subscription to the IPMS Journal magazine, published 6 issues per year. The journal is well worth the annual fee. You also get discounts on entry fees at most IPMS sponsored events.
Get there early & buy at least 20$ worth of raffle tickets… You will walk away with 2-3x that in draw prizes. (conservative guess)
If you have time look at the possible categories your model can enter, if more than one this time will help decide which division your model will best be entered in.
Most of all have fun, enjoy the day as its all about models, techniques and meeting like minded enthusiasts. Nationals in anything is serious, everyone there went at one time for the first time.
fermis had a funny story about his 1/24 scale plane w/ motorized propeller, he turned it on and it flew off skipping across several tables! Guess it wasn’t too funny at the time…[:D]
The two orginazations are different in their methods and goals, but are both great to be part of. I am active with local chapters of AMPS and IPMS but not in the national level. AMPS is an armor specicific group where as IPMS is open to all modleing subjects. Very much Apples and Oranges between teh two in styles as well. At the very least you get to meet lots of local fellow modelers, exchange ideas with them, and learn all sorts of great stuff. I have greatly improved my builds since participating with both groups. If you want to improve your skills, those are the places to do it. The national level is like being here, you can learn lots, but the face to face stuff is limited. The local stuff can really give the hands on and question and answer time that reduces the error part of trial and error.
I’ve only been to one Nationals, but I assume it was representitive of most. There were easily 2000 models on display and the dealer room was like the worlds greatest hobby shop, so I would definately recommend you try and attend if you are lucky enough to have one held somewhat locally to you, even if you don’t enter any models of your own.
As mentioned the IPMS Journal is included with your subscription and it is a pretty good stand alone model magazine similar in style to FSM.