MikeMoore

Hi Doug, We can absolutely do that. To be honest the variety of restaurants within 3/4 of a mile of the convention center is so broad that we hadn't even thought of putting up a list, but it's not a bad idea at all. I really think that within a comfortable walk, drive, trip on the free shuttle or Uber/Lyft ride everyone will be able to find a place that fits their taste and budget. We have lots of things to work on in the near term, but look for some restaurant listings on the convention web site at some point. Mike

Should be all fixed now. Mike

Not sure what’s wrong there. I’ve got a message in to our web guru to see if we can’t get that sorted out. Thanks for the heads up! Mike

Like I said Duke, I really hope you'll be able to make it, so we'll start praying out here! Mike

Duke, I sure hope you're able to make it. I'll give you room for more display models than you had last year if you do! As for the banquet, while we may be forgoing the dinner, we think the desert reception makes a great opportunity to get together with everyone at the end of the convention, and since it doesn't cost a small fortune, we're hoping EVERYONE makes it and makes it a great party to wrap up on. Mike

All, While we've been quiet on the website front, we have been very busy behind the scenes. Registration is now live. We have a link to the IPMS store shopping cart for on-line registration, and we have a fillable PDF downloadable for those who prefer to register by mail. Model registration will follow later. We've announced two off site events. One is a tour to the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville AL, the other is a BBQ dinner at the Songbirds Guitar Museum in Chattanooga. Both of these will be excellent activities. Check the site for more info on both. We've got a list of vendors who have reserved tables posted. It's a MONSTER list and it's turning into a historic vendor hall. The current record for vendor tables at a Nats is 424 in Atlanta in 2005. We currently have 431 tables reserved. With 5 months to go before the convention, even with some drop outs we really like our chances for setting a record for number of vendor tables. In a huge change from past conventions, we are going without a banquet. See the website for more details, but we're going to have a $5 desert reception to be followed by the awards. We should have seating for over 1000 for the reception and awards, and we're really hoping to have a huge party to wrap up this year's convention. We also have a rather extensive list of seminars that we're working on. Topics and presenters are currently listed on the website, and a schedule will follow soon. Finally, for now, we are really trying to emphasize display only models. We want to see as many as folks are willing to bring. Again, see the website for details. Any questions? Let me know. My email is on the Home page of the Convention Website! Thanks Mike Moore 2019 Convention Chairman

Mike, My apologies for the late response to your message. We spent some time late last year working on our local show held in January. But we are now back to full focus on the Nats! Expect registration to go live in the next week or so. We will also be getting vendor lists and seminar lists up soon. Mike

Mike, there are still plenty of rooms available at the Read House. It's a 1/2 block farther away then the Day's Inn, and $10 a night cheaper than the Marriott. And having just undergone a major renovation (as in they closed and gutted it, not just redid finishes) it will be VERY nice. Mike Moore

Another hotel update. The Marriott is pretty much sold out. There are king rooms available on Wednesday and Saturday nights, but nothing in between. Until and unless there are cancellations, the Marriott is sold out. The Day's Inn still has rooms for the whole convention, but for Friday night, they are down to Kings only, so if you don't want to share a bed, you'll need to bring an air mattress. The Read House still has lots of rooms. Mike

Marriott Updatae - There are still rooms available. However, due to the way the block was assigned, there are currently no double rooms left in the block for Saturday night the 10th, only King rooms. In talking with the National reservations desk, it appears that there are still double rooms in the hotel, but we can't get them added to the block until Monday when the sales folks come back to work. But it does sound like they are very limited. Check back on Monday to see if there are any doubles available on the 10th. There are still plenty of rooms at the Day's Inn and the Read House. Mike

Ok, here’s what I know. First, yes, parking is not included in the room rate at the Marriott. In the interests of full disclosure I’ll make note of that on our website. It also isn’t included in the rate for the Read House. Second, I don’t know where we stand exactly in regards to a sell out at the Marriott, but as of earlier this afternoon it was selling very quickly. I don’t know if I can get anyone in sales tomorrow, but I’ll check and see if they can tell me where we stand in regards to selling out. Mike Moore

Hello, the availability of hotel rooms for a National Convention is always a hot topic. We've tried to be as honest and transparent as we can regarding when the room blocks will be opened up and available for reservations. We announced in Phoenix that we thought it would happen in Mid-September, and I didn't realize how accurate that was. Let this serve as the official announcement (or one of several) that the room blocks for all three convention hotels will be open, and reservation links posted on the convention website (www.ipmsusanationals.com), on Friday September 14, 2018. There are three hotels at this point: 1) The Marriott. This hotel is physically attached to the Chattanooga Convention Center, and will therefore be the most convenient. The room rate is $144/night. 2) The Day's Inn Rivergate. About a block and a half away, it's a very easy walk to the CCC, and for the budge conscious, the room rate is $109/night. 3) The Read House. A historic downtown hotel, it's just now wrapping up a complete renovation. I'm told they left the "ghost room" alone, but I don't know what they did with the room that housed Al Capone as he was transported from Florida to Chicago to stand trial. An easy 2 block walk to the CCC, the room rate is $134/night. Again, all three blocks will be opened up on 9-14-18 with reservation links posted on the convention website - www.ipmsusanationals.com Thanks Mike Moore Convention Chairman

Guys, the 2019 Convention Website is LIVE. www.ipmsusanationals.com we are still adding content, and we expect the hotel reservations to go live by Mid-September. I’ll be monitoring the forums, so if you have questions, please ask. I can’t promise an immediate response, but I’ll work hard to make sure you get answers as quickly as I can. Mike Moore 2019 IPMS USA National Convention Chairman