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Nats 2020 & COVID-19 Update


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6 minutes ago, Dakimbrell said:

As long as dioramas get judged well. They are the only really important categories. 

Dak

I think Phil Perry is working on a bounce-height test for that category🤥

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Good afternoon, modeling friends. I do not want to speak on behalf of any 2020 Nats coordinators or officials, but I will share this: It is my understanding, having communicated with one of the contest workers, is that the national organization currently has legal counsel going over the contract with a fine tooth comb. They are also in regular discussion with Embassy Suites leadership. All parties are closely monitoring the communications from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services as well as from the office of Governor Abbott, and this in large part is affecting both the decision making process and the timing thereof. Granted, the ground truth changes almost daily, but it is my understanding that a decision is expected by 30 days out from the convention start date, which by my calendar should be this coming Monday, the 29th. As such, I think it prudent to wait until Monday night. Thirty days out is sufficient time, in my opinion, for anyone to make travel plan changes without financial penalties. Happy modeling. ✌🏼❤️🍺

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The Nats has been cancelled, below is the official email I just got...

 

The following is a joint announcement from the San Marcos 2020 Convention Leadership team and the IPMS USA Executive Board.

 

We jointly appreciate all the feedback we received regarding this year‘s convention. We’ve taken your comments and concerns into careful consideration, while maintaining an ongoing dialogue and negotiation with the Embassy Suites convention center in San Marcos. These negotiations have been proceeding carefully due to the significant financial exposure that IPMS would be subject to if we simply decided to cancel the convention unilaterally.

 

We are now prepared to announce that the 2020 National Convention is officially canceled. While this may disappoint many, including your authors, we believe it is the prudent, safe and sensible thing to do.

 

On a more positive note, we have been successful in negotiating the use of the Embassy Suites San Marcos location for the 2023 convention. Therefore, the rotation for the next three years, circumstances permitting, will be Las Vegas in 2021, Omaha in 2022, and San Marcos in 2023. Tentative dates for the 2023 convention will be August 2nd through the 5th. We are currently finalizing details of the contract with Embassy Suites and expect a finalized version within a week.

 

For those who have registered already for the convention, we will be processing your refunds. For those who have booked hotel reservations at one of the convention center hotels, it will be up to you to cancel those on your own. Vendors will be refunded their money for tables as well through our vendor coordinator, Craig Gregory. Chapters and individuals who have sponsored contest categories may also receive refunds for their sponsorships.

 

Again, we want to thank you all for your patience and support during these trying times, and hope that you recognize we have made the best possible decision for all under the circumstances.

 

Gil

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Just a bunch of weenies! Just because of a pandemic and people dying all around is no reason to cancel! A zombie apocalypse would never stop us! Civil War would stop us ! Well all put on hazmat suits and make it work!!!! Take to the streets and burn a few cars! Who’s with me?

Oh wait. My wife says no. Oh darn.

Good luck and stay safe. 

Dak

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5 hours ago, EFGrune said:

I'll speak to the judging issue.    The NCC is working on a plan to have the teams of three doing independent evaluation and each member produce a ranked list of their top 5 or 6 entries in a category.  The lists will then be merged in a form of rank choice voting to determine final placement.   Detais are still being worked out.   There were other options; popular vote and single person judging were discussed and discarded.

As of last week,  all of the NCC judges have indicated that they are planning on attending.   However  Eileen Persichetti has said she will not be going .  The efforts to crunch the numbers to produce the results in time for the awards may be difficult.

I suggested that Mark Persichetti say what our plan B was going to be.  We'll catch flak one way or another.   Perhaps better before than during & after.

Ed Grune -- NCC Ship Judge

Uh-oh ... that's a dangerous step towards GSB!!!! (it's been mooted now, but still)

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Congratulations doesn't quite seem like the right word.  But good choice, and it sounds like the team was able to work out a solution with the venue.  I'll be looking forward to San Marcos in 2023!  Best of luck sorting it all out and if help is needed don't hesitate to reach out to the community.  

Dave

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