McGovernM

Here's a preview of the aircraft models sheet that you'll receive at the 2026 IPMS National Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A big thank you to Sprue Brothers for sponsoring this sheet! I will post pictures of the automotive sheet once I receive it.

Dear fellow modelers, I’m writing to thank you if you’ve already purchased a trophy package sponsorship to support the IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention in Fort Wayne, IN, and, if you haven’t, to ask you to consider purchasing a trophy package sponsorship. Contest trophies do more than recognize outstanding craftsmanship, they encourage participation, celebrate achievement, and inspire modelers of every age and skill level. Your sponsorship is a direct investment in the heart of our community and in the future of the hobby. A trophy package sponsorship gives your name, chapter, or organization visible recognition during the event. Sponsors are acknowledged on the category table signs, and the convention team is offering new, prominent, signage that makes each sponsor easy to see and appreciate. Packages are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Trophy Package Sponsorships can be purchased, for $90 each, at: Purchase Website Please consider helping us honor excellence in modeling while promoting your support for this premier event. Your contribution will make a meaningful difference and help ensure a memorable convention for all. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to IPMS/USA. Sincerely, John Figueroa IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention Chairman

Actually, it was a little of both. By and large, every contest, large or small, needs all the judges it can muster. The greater the number of judges, the more fair and faster the judging will go.-

For those planning to compete at the 2026 IPMS National Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana, you have a couple more options if you're looking to snag a Special Award. Two more special categories have been added. We look forward to seeing what you bring! https://ipmsnationals.org/2026-special-categories

For those looking for a little more rustic, or at least a little cheaper, accommodations for the National Convention, there are some campgrounds in and around Fort Wayne. Be aware that the camping areas, especially those nearest the city, fill quickly so you will want to make reservations soon. There are two campgrounds inside the greater Fort Wayne area: Johnny Appleseed Campground and River Camp Fort Wayne. A little further out are Indian Springs Campground in Garrett and Chain O' Lakes State Park in Albion. [Johnny Appleseed](https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Johnny-Appleseed-Campground-48), part of the city park system, has 48 sites including two that are handicapped-accessible and several pull-through. All have electric with water nearby. (See photo.) [River Camp](https://rivercampfortwayne.com/index.html), located south of the city but within the suburban ring, is a smaller facility with seven tent sites, one RV site and a cabin. The RV site is limited to 16' campers. [Indian Springs](https://www.indianspringsoutdoors.com/), about 8 miles north of Fort Wayne, has more than 350 sites, including several pull-through. Some sites include electric and water and sewer. It also has eight cabins sleeping from four to eight people. Among the amenities is on-site laundry. [Chain O' Lakes](https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/chain-o-lakes-state-park/), about 20 miles north of Fort Wayne, has 331 sites with electric, 49 without and 33 primitive. The campground website doesn't indicate how water is provided, but it has an on-site dump station. For those willing to drive further, there are other campgrounds in the region. We look forward to seeing you in Fort Wayne this August and hope you find the accommodations that best fit your needs.

Have you thought about sponsoring a trophy package at the 2026 IPMS National Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but didn't think anybody would notice? Well, take a look Steve Bacon's design! He says that the new Category cards will be 8"×11" with either the Sponsors name, logo or in "memory of" posted in the lower right corner (4"×4"). You can find out how to get your sponsorship package here: https://nats2026.ipmsusa.org/.../consider-sponsoring....

Did you see the post on the main IPMS/USA FB page? Hopefully it will give you ideas for what to build for 2026 Nationals this year! One of the special categories is The 60th Anniversary of Star Trek: Any vehicle, figure, or diorama from the entire Star Trek franchise. So bring all your non-cloaked builds to the show. And for a list of all the Special Contest Categories, visit https://ipmsnationals.org/2026-special-categories

If you’re in Northwest Ohio next weekend, bring your models to MODEL CON 419! Get information and downloadable forms from our website. Remember, our volunteer contest judges will enjoy a pizza luncheon on us. See you there!

The 2026 Model Con 419 show is now less than two weeks away. And, like every IPMS event we need JUDGES! So if you're planning to attend our show on Saturday, April 18, please plan to serve as a judge. We don't ask you to suffer for helping out, our judges will get pizza during the Judges' meeting. Thanks for your help!

Coming to Nationals? Get your name in lights! Sponsor a Contest Category or put an advertisement in the Convention Journal. Our Nationals is unique as it is a fully Volunteer run event, and your sponsorship help makes it happen! https://myipmsusa.org/store or https://ipmsnationals.org/trophy-package-sponsorships

Haven't decide yet whether to come to Fort Wayne? Check out all the great seminars we have scheduled through the week. Learn anything from improving your build to photographing it to the history behind and around it. There are still spots in some of the paid workshops, too. Learn to airbrush and weather and paint miniatures. Hope to see you in August. https://nats2026.ipmsusa.org/workshopsseminars

Some of the coolest things to build are represented in this year's National Convention Special Award Categories: https://ipmsnationals.org/2026-special-categories Star Trek, Gundam, Aircraft Carriers, and so much more. See what sparks your imagination!

Are you attending the 2026 IPMS/USA National Convention? If so, we could use your help! Volunteers will be essential to making this Convention a success. We have a variety of volunteer positions that need filling. Volunteering for at least four hours entitles you to a free commemorative T-shirt with a unique Convention logo that will not be available on any other Convention t-shirt. If you'd like to help, please head to the convention website and click on the “Volunteer” tab to sign up for any of our open positions. https://ipmsnationals.org/volunteering-corps

Welcome! Here is the link to the 2026 IPMS/USA National Convention webpage with all the information you'll need to register for the convention: https://nats2026.ipmsusa.org/convention-registration. It might be superfluous to mention it, but you'll need to be an IPMS member to register. Also, registration in the model contest will open on May 2. We look forward to seeing you all in Fort Wayne this August!

All, Open Registration for the 2026 IPMS/USA National Convention is now live! You can register at the Nationals website: Convention Registration | 2026 IPMS/USA National Convention. Note that model entry in the show does not open until May 2.

On behalf of the International Plastic Modelers’ Society/USA, it is my distinct pleasure to announce the upcoming opening of registration for the 2026 National Convention at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Registration will open on March 1st at 10 AM CST. On that date, we will activate the registration link on the 2026 Nationals website 2026 National Website. Prior to March 1 visit the website for information under the Registration/Convention tab for costs of items, pictures, and tour information. For detailed information on Workshops visit the tab Workshops/Seminars on the website. Remember, you MUST be a member of the International Plastic Modelers Society to register for the National Convention. Whether this is your first time joining us or you are a return attendee, we are thrilled to invite you to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for what promises to be an unforgettable event filled with creativity, camaraderie, and a shared passion for the art and craft of scale modeling. We expect our exhibition halls to be filled with extraordinary models. Our robust schedule of free seminars, paid workshops and tours offers something for everyone. Our three large vendor rooms will have a myriad of kits and other cool stuff you will probably not see again until the 2027 Convention in Huntsville, Alabama. There will also be opportunities for you to volunteer around the event to improve the experience for yourself and others. A link to the volunteers system will be shared soon. We invite you to be a part of the IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention. Your enthusiasm, talent, and dedication are what will make this event truly special. We look forward to an exciting and memorable gathering, and we can’t wait to host you and your families for this special event. With best wishes, John Figueroa Convention Chair, IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention