At a few model contests in my area, I’ve noticed the flyer say “$20 for unlimited number of entries”.
That might be a bit steep for some, but if you’re allowed unlimited number of entries, then I’m fine with it.
Now as for how much I’d pay if it was just an exhibition show only, I don’t know?
I like the idea of $20/unlimited… maybe $10 for up to 5 entries and $20/unlimited???
But also what are they doing with that entry fee? Overhead? Charity? People’s choice trophies?
That $20 entry fee, plus whatever the vendors have to pay to set up at a contest, goes toward paying for the use of a venue, paying for the awards, and whatever other fees there are.
The Mad City Modelers contest earlier this year in March had a $20 unlimited number of models entry fee. But the Mad City contest was held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison and having it there can’t be cheap.
But how willing would you be willing to pay just to exhibit? That’s the specific point you quoted. Whether a modeler thinks he’ll get an award or not is another question.
And as far as a modeler’s chances go, you’re talking about the 1st-2nd-3rd system used by most of IPMS, its chapters, and some unaffiliated organizations. And yes, the odds are long, the more entries there are.
In the Open System, also called Gold-Silver-Bronze, entrants don’t compete against one another, but are judged against a set of standards and awarded accordingly. It encourages more participation, and more IPMS chapters and independent clubs are taking it up. There is also a movement to adopt the Open System for IPMS Nationals, which may be adopted someday.
But to the cited question: Are you, yourself, willing to pay to enter an event and just exhibit your models? There’s no right or wrong; it’s a matter of preference. Just, would you pay to participate in that kind of event?
A PS-IPMS tacitly admits that the 1st-2nd-3rd system discourages participation, in the way categories have been subdivided so much, that more modelers, who certainly deserve it, win an award, who wouldn’t otherwise when there are fewer categories.
Late to the party. Some thoughts!
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Yes, I’d go to exhibit and not compete; in fact, it would be my preference to go to a show that was more exhibit than competition. Being honest, though, every show I’ve been to was to see others’ work. Having never entered a contest, that preference is kinda easy to have.
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I’m not a member of a local club - I could never make the meetings, so it seemed pointless.
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I should look up what shows are near me and when.
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I’m probably one of the weirdest with regard to cost of events, I tend to do the math as entertainment value - how does the cost per hour work out, and is it likely I’d rather spend that on something else? I consider vendor booth access as part of it, but only slightly.
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If I ever had something to display, and assuming the fees were above and beyond the cost to enter the show, I’d consider paying a small/nominal fee to exhibit it, but frankly, I’d likely just skip entering and pay to go to the show to see others’ work. My work isn’t going to inspire anybody!
Interesting question, and good discussion!
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Our annual show (not contest) has a $2 entry fee to just visit, veterans are free. To enter models in the show the fee is higher ($15 I think), includes entry. This usually covers a good part of the hall rental, table coverings, etc.
To cover the rest of the cost we have sponsored awards. Sponsors pay $25 per award. Award plaques usually end up costing slightly less than the fee, so additional money goes to pay rental costs. We normally run just a bit into the black, but that allows us to cover a red year with less participation (like during Covid restrictions).
The sponsor gets to choose what the award is for and also gets to choose the winning model in a completely non regulated, non scientific way. We have some pretty random categories among the usual ones.
People’s choice
Best unpainted
Best natural metal finish
Best bent, battered, destroyed
My favourite (insert preference eg. robot)
As seen on TV
Best eye-candy or nose art
If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap
Memorial awards (numerous)
Best fingerprint on a model
And many others
These are examples just some of the randomness we deal with at the show. It’s more of a social activity to get people actively building and having some fun in a non-competitive environment. Every junior who participates gets their choice of a new model at the end of the show, all donated by the adults who participate.
I have attended both contest and show, though I find the casual atmosphere of a show to be my preference and would have no issue paying to just put my models out for display.
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That show sounds really, really fun. I’d sponsor an award every year just to get in on the fun.
I agree. And I’d make sure to have a cool model for a junior to take home after.
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Yeah, pretty much every show I’ve seen here in the mid-Atlantic region accepts sponsored awards from anyone. In our MFCA show, we have awards like that, sponsored by businesses (eg, Vallejo), other clubs, and individuals. I sponsor one such award with two friends, in memory of a friend of ours who passed away. He was an Army veteran, so we give the award for what we judge to be the best US fighting man figure or vignette. And we also make sure that the recipient is relatively new to the hobby, hasn’t received other awards yet. That’s to encourage newer painters in the hobby.
I go to either or both. I see a trend at many contests that allow for non-compete options.
The people in this conversation seem to be ok with the cost of entering a show whether it be competition or exhibition, but fees really do seem to be a problem in my circle of clubs and shows.
It just seems strange to me that these fees are such a problem. $20 for unlimited entries is a bargain. Bring 10 models and you are talking 2 dollars a model. Then you get to shop a swap meet, talk to builders, learn things, and meet fellow builders. In my mind you are getting way more than $20 worth of entertainment.
Most of the shows I enter are a flat fee for unlimited models. There are two shows in Omaha I go to every year that do it a little different. There is a $10 fee to enter the building where the show and swap meet are. Then if you want to enter the show they charge $2 per model. Still a great deal in my mind.
Participating in shows is affordable.
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Every so often I sponsor a trophy package for the IPMS Nats, identifying as “The East Oahu Radical Splinter Faction Group”. 
There is actually truth behind that moniker that represents me and a small cadre of friends.
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Free Koko Head! 
Actually Stik, we are the rejects from the local IPMS chapter. We refuse to acknowledge the primacy of historically significant models to the exclusion of all others. The models we like to build are labelled “a total waste of plastic”. We build all the wrong subjects in the wrong scales.
BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!
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I like this. Where do I sign up? HAHA
But seriously. In my local model club I am the guy that surprises people with what I bring to the meetings and local shows. I’ll pick a kit and just do something totally different with it than what people are expecting.
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I do the exact same thing when I build models and bring them to club meetings!