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Questions about National Shows


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I went to the Columbus show this year and had an amazing time. I was a Nationals virgin and I'll be going again at some point. I had some questions about the show so I thought I'd ask. Does the show always have to be at a hotel/conference center? I was at the show at the Richmond Speedway (can't remember the name right now) and thought that that would be a great site. Not far from historical stuff and plenty of space. I've read on this forum about how much it cost to put on a National convention. Well as a business owner I always think, how to lower costs, but keep the same quality. I had lots of points on my business card, so I got to stay at the Hyatt in Columbus for free. However, since all the rooms were sold out for months, if I had paid full price I would have shelled out $500+ for two nights. That in itself could keep some people from attending. How is the bid for a future show done? Flashy powerpoint listing all the pro of a certain venue, or is it done with a model in skimpy bikinis talking about Omaha is the Las Vegas of Iowa? My nearest show is a Gold, Silver, Bronze show. Not my cup of tea, but would the Nationals ever consider this? Thanks for your time guys.

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Just to reply to one of your questions- you would have seen precisely how bids are done for future shows if you had bothered to attend the business meeting Saturday morning. The Omaha bid was carefully prepared and professionally presented. There were no bikini clad models. Frankly, your ignorance of the process and, I might add, your ignorance of the Omaha venue insults the Society and the Omaha hosts. The last Omaha show was great. The location could not have been more unlike Las Vegas. This question, like most of the rest of your posting, reflects a shocking lack of research into these matters, all of which have been debated and discussed ad nauseam on this forum and at the annual National Business Meeting. If you are trying to be funny, Ha! Ha! You got me. If not, please brush up on the Society's institutional history - and your U.S. geography. Omaha is in Nebraska, not Iowa. Nick Filippone

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Nick,

 

I fail to understand why you replied in such a harsh manner to Brian's questions. If you will look at his numbers, he's new to the Society and has chosen to ask the same questions any new guy would about the biggest model show on Earth. I remember when I was new guy. I had the same questions, but no one chastised me for my ignorance of the process. You and I have been around for quite a while and we know how things work. I know you followed up your reply with a "Ha! Ha! You got me", but that still doesn't excuse the arrogance of your reply. I just hope Brian just has a thick skin and doesn't bail on the forum permanently.

I had a guy treat me the same way when I first joined IPMS and I came VERY close to leaving altogether. So please (speaking as moderator now) think before you post in the future. You may run off a future leader of the Society.

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Wow, Nick, you hit a new snarky low. Might I suggest you PM Brian and apologize, or better yet, do it here as openly as you smacked his questions down.

 

Brian: Glad you had such a great time! There's nothing like your "first" :smiley9: , and the good news is (like "something else") it gets to be even better and more fun with experience! :D To directly answer some of your questions:

 

1) You're correct in that trying to maintain the experience and hold down costs is one of the tougher things Nats hosts and IPMS have to do. We need a LOT of space (lots of tables used) compared to the number of people who attend (compared to other conventions), and that limits our venue choices. IPMSUSA is open to "other" venues, but so far no one has produced a better combo than a hotel with convention space, or that's convenient to a nearby one.

 

2) Despite Nick's tone, he gave you accurate info. The bid system is competitive, and generally done in power point. If bikini chicks DID show up, NOTHING would get done (remember, we're all nerds at heart! :blush: ) Nick was also correct in that the Omaha bid was not only extremely well presented, their "numbers" looked better too, and that's what the Eboard uses for their decision. IPMSUSA is taking bids 2-3yrs out now, and also looking for any number of ways to improve the experience while holding down the costs. But, what we've been doing works, so it's tough to change something that's not really broken. which leads me to...

 

3) Contests: the Nats has been, and probably will always be a 1-2-3 show. In fact, GSB, while used here and there, is very controversial (where the Nats is concerned) and somewhat polarizing as a subject. You can research that down in the "contest" topic in the members section, if you go back enough pages. Again, the Nats contest is well run, very popular, and very successful (from the viewpoint of IPMSUSA and the NCC), so why change it if it ain't broken? <_<

 

I've got better than 25 Nats shows under my expanding belt line now, and can only recommend you plan to make as many as you possibly can. It's great fun to see people from across the country (and out of it too) and renew those friendships from year to year. This year you probably only experienced the "show" (contest, vendors, tours, etc.). Wait til you'll delve into the social side of the Nats! Hope to meet you in Columbia next year!

 

Gil :smiley16:

Edited by ghodges
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WOW!!! Was i taken to the woodshed. I apoligize for offending you and I will try to respond to kind and gentle response in kind.

 

1. I didn't realize that the bids were open to the public. I drove to the show by myself, stayed by myself, and generally hung out by myself. I knew precisely 3 people there, so I had to "make" some new friends, which I did. Since it was my first show I had no idea what to expext. I've been to many one day shows, but at this one I was a little overwhelmed. Yes, I'm sure it was mentioned that the bids were open to the public, but I must have missed it.

 

2. I was NOT trying to insult Omaha. I'm sure they and Phoenix had great presentations. I'm also sure they did not have bikini clad models...........that was a joke. I'm very sorry to Omaha for even implying that they would so that. My wife thinks we model builder are all geeks....I am.....and we wouldn't know what to do with a bikini clad woman anyways.....I sure wouldn't.

 

3. I must have done a shocking lack of research about the processes of IPMS. I was a member before, but never really knew this forum existed. I simply got it for the magazines. I have no chapter that is close to me (100 miles to the nearest) so I don't have a ton of people to ask/talk to about these issues. I guess I should have looked over this site and researched thing before I asked my question. However you were NOT required to answer me. So far Gil and Rusty have and have answered my questions respectfully.

 

4. The most egregious statement I made was that Omaha was in Iowa. I apologize profusely to both states of Iowa and Nebraska. Its almost as bad as saying Chicago is in Australia. I know that if someone said that my hometown was in the state of New York I would be just as irritated as you are. Mainly I would be angry because, unlike most New Yorkers, I can drive safely and under control.........that was also a joke........kinda. And yes, Mr. Filippone I know you live in New York, because I RESEARCHED IT. Yes, i'm getting the hang of it.

 

I hope to go to as many Nats as I possibly can in the next few years, and I will endeavor to see and do as much as possible. And I will most certainly go to the bid presentation next time........maybe the Los Angeles club will have dancing monkeys to use for their presentation.......................I"M JOKING!!

Edited by BrianMiller
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Brian:

 

No worries and Nick was way out of line so ignore him (but Gil is right, he had some points)

 

Saturday morning of each Nationals is the National business meeting and bid presentation, open to all members. Most don't attend as this is the working part of the convention and most prefer the fun and vendors and models.

 

Forget doing research and ask away. Omaha was picked due to a better presentation, lower cost and probably some other factors but I am sure they or Phoenix could have both done well.

 

GSB will not be used as the current group of judges and National Contest Committee has a million reasons why it would be difficult to implement, plus making changes is difficult and most members like things as they are but there are some local and Regional Conventions using this method including Region VI next year. Not sure whaty you build but most armor and figure only shows use GSB. Matter of preference in the end.

 

Dave

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Holy Bleep Nick. You need to step away for a while. Your posts of late have been full of arrogance and holier than thou, but this one takes the cake. I'm just glad some reasonable folks answered Brian's questions.

 

Mike

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Good Questions Brian. May I compliment you on your response to Nick's post. You chose to be reasonable and courteous, as well as humorous in the face of an unwarranted and unprovoked verbal assault. You owe no one and apology and, in fact, you are owed an apology by Nick. As you can see by the comments made by Mike, Dave, Gil and Rusty, your questions will be replied to in a courteous and respectful manner by the vast majority of people on this forum and in the Society in general.

 

It's a good thing for newbies (to the Society) to ask questions and to learn how the pieces of the Society come together. You'll find the Columbia convention and Omaha conventions to be well worth your time. There's nothing like a National Convention to fuel that modeling fever!

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Holy Bleep Nick. You need to step away for a while. Your posts of late have been full of arrogance and holier than thou, but this one takes the cake. I'm just glad some reasonable folks answered Brian's questions.

 

Mike

 

Well, he's a surgeon...what do you expect?

If I were doing anesthesia in his room, I'd pull some urine off of the patient's foley catheter and squirt it all over his shoes and pant leg.

 

Yes, I've done it before.

Yes, I'll do it again.

 

Seriously, Fillipone, you're way out of line. I mean, plastic model airplanes are serious business right? RIGHT??

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........maybe the Los Angeles club will have dancing monkeys to use for their presentation.......................I"M JOKING!!

 

Brian, maybe not dancing monkeys, but we have a couple Mice from a nearby attraction that might stop in to help out.... :smiley8: :D

 

 

 

PM me your E-mail address and I'll pass on details later about why there won't be a Nationals in the Los Angeles/Orange County area for quite some years to come...

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Brian, there’s another option to manage the high cost of a hotel. You can always stay “off base,” at a nearby hotel instead. I’ve done that several times, which saved me $50-75/night. Although it’s convenient to be on-site, a 20 minute drive to and from the venue is not unreasonable.



I understand that convention organizers have to sell a certain number of rooms to book the venue, but at the end of the day each of us is a customer as much as we are a member. For those with a limited budget, the savings can mean the difference between attending or not attending a convention.

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Brian, there’s another option to manage the high cost of a hotel. You can always stay “off base,” at a nearby hotel instead. I’ve done that several times, which saved me $50-75/night. Although it’s convenient to be on-site, a 20 minute drive to and from the venue is not unreasonable.

 

I understand that convention organizers have to sell a certain number of rooms to book the venue, but at the end of the day each of us is a customer as much as we are a member. For those with a limited budget, the savings can mean the difference between attending or not attending a convention.

 

An even better way is to share rooms. Book early and get two queen size beds and the cost is halved. Still on site, still supporting the contest so that costs remain low and equal to most off site hotels (of course if you are bringing family, not possible)

 

Dave

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I thought about getting an offsite hotel, but since I had a ton of points on my credit card I thought I'd use them on the Hyatt. I practically stayed for free. Splitting a room wasn't really an option because I didn't realize I could get off work till about 10 days before the show, which is why I couldn't get a ticket to the banquet. Next time I'll have to ask around and meet some of you guys. I'm not an expert modeler, I generally win awards by default (I do model ships and usually there aren't a ton of entries), and its nice that when people look at my model they don't snicker behind my back. One of the reasons I didn't do all the seminars, etc. was because it was hard to leave the model room, I could have looked at them all day.

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Mmmm...bikini-clad models...maybe we are on to something here. Do not so hastily dismiss this concept.

 

With the supposed "graying of the hobby" I think I would be afraid to see these bikini clad models... (joking) :blink: :D

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  • 3 weeks later...

Wha? You use bikinis to camouflage your models? I thought you were supposed to simulate camo netting or tarps? And just how much of the model does this bikini cover?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Brian,

Welcome to the wonderful world of the IPMS Forum. Pretty much like any others out there, mostly good people who try to be helpful. Your question has garnered answers from many of the big guns so won't add too much on to that.

 

Glad you had fun in Columbus, I did too. I have been lucky enough to attend most of the recent shows with my first dating back to 1989. They have all been fun for me and I have made a bunch of new friends on the forum that I have had the pleasure of meeting at a Nats or three. Still hoping to make Columbia next year but will depend on my work (currently lack thereof) situation. Probably will try Omaha again as was a good show if a long 2 day drive for me.

 

One thing you can do is book early to make sure you have a room at the convention rate and you are registered for any tours, banquet, etc. If things don't work out and you can't make it, you can always cancel. Also done the room sharing and while you usually can get a decent roomie and have some fun talking plastic you do need to watch out for the snorers (of which my ex said I was one, who knew).

 

Take care and hopefully I will meet you at a show someday.

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Dang Nick, you forgot to mention what a great judge you are also. . . Brian, welcome and don't give nick a second thought. . . Ask your questions and feel comfortable that most of the responses will be friendly and informative. . .

 

Mike

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  • 1 month later...

IPMS, being a volunteer organization, has to make lots of trade-offs to put on a quality annual National Convention. One of the major trade-offs, IMHO, is the continuing string of summer shows .... nasty heat versus a cost affordable to many members.

 

Other trade-offs are accepting pretty much anybody who is willing to contribute ... along with their quirks and foibles and idiosyncrasies. If you want to experience such first-hand, volunteer to judge at any level IPMS contest (which you really ought to do). I count myself as one of the more peculiar.

 

I have been participating less and less in IPMS activity due to the abrasivenss of some IPMS members who are ... well, offputting. And done more building and enjoyed it more. As you indicated, one can have a really good time at a Nats show without having to wade in the swamp. So, just ask questions and join in and show us what you are building.

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I am of the opinion that membership in IPMS does not cause or facilitate the propensity of some of our fellow modelers to develop into butt-heads. Some independent modelers berate both AMPS and IPMS for being a litterbox of nit pickers, rivet counters, and BHs who look down upon all other modelers. I have found that being a member of a national organization such as IPMS does not cause, nor does it diminish BHS (Butt Head Syndrome). Take away the membership card and the person in question would still display a full set of BH symptoms. Switch membership cards from AMPS to IPMS, IPMS to AMPS, or to any other group or even to no group at all and the BH factor will remain unchanged for those infected with it.

Does membership in IPMS cause a person to be off-putting? I submit it does not. It's the person, themselves, and their view of their significance to the modeling community that causes BHS.

A cure is out of the question since the disease will flare up again even after the person in question receives a much deserved beat-down.

An option is to simply look at the BH, slowly shake your head, turn, and walk away while they are in mid-sentence. They won't notice because they don't care if you are listening or not. They are their own audience and won't notice your departure.

 

I enjoy making some small contribution to IPMS, either as a member or as a participant at a local show or national convention. I enjoy listening to those who know far more than I about a modeling subject (and since I am not an expert on any subject so I get to listen a lot!) and I really enjoy attending demonstrations of modeling skills by those who are proficient. IPMS and AMPS have members who are genuine experts and my modeling has been improved by listening to them and by modeling (pardon the play on word) my own efforts after what they demonstrate.

 

I agree with David when he says....just ask questions and join in and show us what your are building. Solid advice from Wee Davey.

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David,

Let me clarify about one of the compromises you cite. You say that we have our convention in the summer to avoid peak season rates. That's not entirely true. The main reason is because that is when school is out and most members can take vacation to come to the show with a minimum of familial disruption. Just witness the discussion when the convention is held later in August and the people who's kids have to start back to school start to speak up.

 

I won't disagree with the fact that we have a high concentration of, for lack of a better term, special personality types, but that would be true in any organization that is specialist in nature. Some people may have no other way to feel like they belong or that what they know is valued and someone who devotes all their free time to counting the lock nuts on a 4-4-0 steam engine boiler door and making sure you know that he does, probably does not have the time nor desire to read "How to Make More Friends" or such books. I agree with Dick. Treat them like that uncle you only see once a year at the holidays who insists on laying out his entire political agenda for all within earshot to hear. You nod and walk away. They'll just turn and try to engage someone else within range.

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"Just witness the discussion when the convention is held later in August and the people who's kids have to start back to school start to speak up."

 

That's nothin'. You want to start a flame war, just say the Nat's are being held over the fourth of July weekend. Oh, what colorful conversation we get then. :smiley14:

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PM me your E-mail address and I'll pass on details later about why there won't be a Nationals in the Los Angeles/Orange County area for quite some years to come...

 

Why not share those details with the rest of us? I'm sure there are others besides me who would like to know.

Edited by SkyKing
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  •  

     

     

    PM me your E-mail address and I'll pass on details later about why there won't be a Nationals in the Los Angeles/Orange County area for quite some years to come...

     

    Why not share those details with the rest of us? I'm sure there are others besides me who would like to know.

     

    Yup, love to hear that one too

Dave

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