2026 IPMS USA National Convention

[Ransomeli]

It is with great pleasure that the IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention team announces the opening of the hotel blocks for the IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention at noon EDT on Friday September 19, 2025.

 

The blocks for all four hotels will open at the same time. The reservation links as well as phone numbers and codes, while posted before the opening of the blocks, but will not be activated until Friday September 19, 2025 at noon EDT.

 

All reservations for the convention hotels must include the four core convention days of Wednesday August 5, 2026 to Saturday August 8, 2026.

 

The four Convention hotels are listed below, we have provided phone numbers however just like the links that will be provided for online do not call these numbers and try to book until September 19th at noon EDT:

 

Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center

Located in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne, our hotel is directly connected to the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Enjoy onsite dining, onsite Starbucks®, complimentary WiFi, courtesy airport shuttle, and fitness center. The Embassy Theatre, Parkview Field, and Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory are within a mile.

The Hilton will have 150 rooms for $169 a night plus taxes for August 4-9. Parking is $15 per night in the attached garage.

 

Individuals can use online links through facebook/website or can call: 1-800-445-8667 (HILTONS) using the group code IPM. The IPMS rate will be for Monday August 3, through Monday August 10, 2026, but must include the four core dates of Wednesday August 5 through Saturday August 8, 2026.

 

Courtyard by Marriott - Fort Wayne Downtown

The Courtyard Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention Center is connected to the city's largest event space via sky bridge. Grab breakfast, dinner or even a cocktail at our on-site restaurant Conner's Kitchen +Bar, which serves elevated comfort food and crafted cocktails. Our hotel is conveniently located near Embassy Theater, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory and Parkview Field as well as many other attractions in downtown Fort Wayne. If you are hosting a gathering in one of our seven meeting rooms, expect impressive service and modern technologies. When it's time to retire for the night, our accommodations boast plush bedding, ergonomic workstations and complimentary high-speed WiFi so you can be as relaxed or productive as you desire. Reach the summit of your stay when reserving accommodations at Courtyard Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention Center.

The Courtyard will have 165 rooms available for $165 a night plus taxes for August 4-8. The room rate includes parking.

 

Individuals can use online links through facebook/website or can call 260-490-3629 ext. 0, use the group code IPM along with the event name (2026 IPMS Convention) when booking. The IPMS rate will be for Tuesday August 4, through Saturday August 8, 2026.

 

Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Wayne

Find us in downtown Fort Wayne, next to Parkview Field and the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Our rooftop bar, Conner’s Rooftop, offers a one-of-a kind view of TinCaps baseball – and the walk-up Burger Bar serves burgers and shakes just off the outfield concourse. Each day starts with our free hot breakfast, and WiFi is free throughout the hotel. The Hampton Inn will have 65 rooms available for $165 a night plus taxes for August 4-8. The room rate includes parking.

 

Individuals can use online links through facebook/website or call 260-247-6915 ext. 0 to make reservations. Then they will also provide group code 90K, the event name(2026 IPMS Convention) when booking The IPMS rate will be for Tuesday August 4, through Saturday August 8, 2026.

 

The Bradley Hotel

Born of Midwestern charm and modern design sensibilities, The Bradley is a cornerstone of entertainment and hospitality in the bustling urban center of Fort Wayne, Indiana. A true reflection of the city it calls home, The Bradley is immersed in the genuine spirit of community, industry and creativity that abounds beyond its walls. The hotel was designed collaboratively by visionary Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of the iconic lifestyle brand – Vera Bradley, and Provenance hotels, known for their collection of award-winning boutique hotels marked by trendsetting designs and museum-quality art. Evoking a sense of comfort and warmth, walking through the doors at The Bradley provides guests with the experience of entering Ms. Baekgaard’s own personal guesthouse. While starting Vera Bradley from her home in Fort Wayne and growing it into the empire it is today, Ms. Baekgaard developed a deep love for design and felt inspired to combine it with her love of travel. What better way to do so than create her own beautiful hotel? From Birdie’s rooftop bar to its thoughtfully designed rooms and locally sourced art, The Bradley effortlessly combines comfort and creativity to tell its story and that of Fort Wayne. The Bradley will have 30 rooms for $189 per night plus taxes for August 5-8. Parking is $15 per night.

 

Individuals can use the online links through facebook/website or speak with a live person by calling the reservations line at 260-205-5093. Tell them to provide the group name (IPMS #9585282) and dates. IPMS rates will be available for Wednesday August 5 through Saturday August 8, 2026.

 

We look forward to seeing you in Fort Wayne next Summer.

 

John Figueroa

IPMS/USA 2026 National Convention Chairperson

 

 

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fipmsnationals.org%2Fhotels%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUEl5QzBJa1VwaEJ3M1JIZwEeb3cQ-ujAbc7g79LFoTT3pGsQOOGTRJkxVQpTQNUsfNLPAW3VevS3CcWnNBM_aem_tL9v4c557vW8cZxhJd9nzA&h=AT0hiReYINPY3ySzDmltqN0Ce0VApswx8TDlsYoCthxPYXb0YzfzTOj6IPP1qNRNmYkd0GwMXF0EhVlaVDRy8D-OYp-kmN8HTSoYd-MUfT1uoEA4M8272uuSS58f3OIhZ6_Oj2YxEvgn0NkC&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT33UFaC5fsg_fgvFBAL5gVnsQrTM3RSqrM4nwqKlB4E7tQp5LnQaeH5eWLHPW-2yNpAnCDP6LhEUC6mL8yxaGS08CHc8XY-ElR-Lfws96ooMaxyNYVcKuNPixmHc26Fid2ciez6CWFDv4JwYvsJ0yfcAgq529bb1XsjkMQS

[josephporche]

John,

I received no email or hot link from IPMS to book my room this AM.  Yes, it's still Am here in Vegas. The Hilton 800 number was a 1/2 hour wait to then be hung up on.  I followed all the web links on the IPMS website only to not be able to book.  Thank gosh as a Hiltons Honors Platinum member I was able to book a room at the Hampton.  Please under promise and then exceed expectations. 

see ya next year

Joe Porche'

[ghodges]

From the chatter on line, mainly on the 2026 Convention FB page; this year's attempt at opening hotel reservations was a repeat of the debacles of 2023 and before, after a very successful opening last year for Hampton Roads. 

It seems the links posted on the 2026 Convention FB page worked for some, but not for many others. The phone numbers listed helped some, but seemed to frustrate as many or more. I know for MY OWN experience I actually got a Courtyard reservationist AT the hotel and when she tried to book my room found out she could NOT access our IPMS booking because it was under "group" reservations and blocked to her! When I tried calling them again to change my menu selection to groups, I couldn't get through. Luckily I was able to call the Hilton and get a room there through an operator. But it seems I was one of the lucky few who tried calling the hotels!

However, my BIGGEST COMPLAINT is simply that there was NO attempt to put we IPMS members first! There was no Wild Apricot email to ALL IPMS members to alert them the rooms were going live on Friday nor to give US the codes ahead of the general public this morning. Instead, the info was posted on the 2026 Convention FACE BOOK PAGE meaning that non-members could use the links and that made it harder for our own members to book rooms. The codes should have been given to all IPMS members first, just before noon, and then posted on FB 30 minutes later. 

I do not know what needs to be done to get all of the codes and hotel reservation systems to work better than they have. Perhaps it's just one of the problems when you involve multiple hotels and companies with differing reservation systems. It certainly sounds like a problem that the SECOND VP/CONVENTION COORDINATOR should work on since he's the one who's supposed to help insure continuity AND convention improvements from year to year. It's probably beyond the individual Nats host chapters abilities.... as even if they do get it right (as Hampton did last year) it's not their responsibility to pass that along to the next host. THAT'S the 2nd VPs job.

However.... I cannot fathom why the IPMS Eboard does not REQUIRE that every Nats host give our OWN MEMBERS the first shot at booking hotel rooms over the general public. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE STARTING IN 2026 for the 2027 Nats!

 

Gil 

[JCoatney]

An IPMS email went out Tuesday morning. I wasn't involved, but I would think it was generated via Wild Apricot. I got mine at 8:54 AM (MST). It was in my SPAM folder, so maybe check yours. The Facebook post by John F on Wednesday was IN ADDITION to the Tuesday email, and indicated as such. 

 

[ghodges]

No.... the email was NOT in my Spam, or otherwise, as I checked thoroughly. Also, I'm the Chapter Contact for First Coast and thus have always gotten Wild Apricot mailings (usually twice), but DID NOT get the one sent out by John Figueroa. Perhaps he used a different mailing list. 

After being made aware of the emailing by a friend I contacted Eric Aitala (IPMS webmaster) and several others to try to track down how I was skipped. Although they did their best to help me, we never fully figured it out. I ALSO contacted John about being not being included, but never heard back from him at all (including up til today).

The thing is that EVERY year it seems we have to go through this same mess. It may or may not be completely avoidable, but there needs to be a better understanding of why this happens and what we might be able to be do to improve things from year to year, and THAT needs to be tackled by those involved with the Nats EVERY year (mainly the 2nd VP and whoever he works with).

MOST importantly, IPMSUSA needs to start putting MEMBERS FIRST! This idea of "going public" with the hotel room reservations instead of giving our own members the first shot at getting them is just wrong!

 

Gil 

[PaulBradley]

****

[jlent]

Gil –

I normally don’t post on the forum unless I show one of my aircraft builds. Due to the importance of this subject, I wanted to make an exception.  I was a volunteer on the Hampton Roads Convention Committee, and I served as hotel lead for the 2025 event.  

Like a number of people, I experienced similar challenges yesterday trying to reserve a room for the convention.  I was fortunate to get a room at the Hilton, but I attribute it more to luck than process.  I never received a national e-mail (Wild Sau), nor did I see the hotel links posted on the convention website.  It may have been there, but I didn’t see it.  At the appointed time, I just made a phone call, went through the decision tree, talked to someone, and made my reservation. 

Last year, we wanted to improve the reservation process for our attendees.  We looked at the problem and discovered two key issues affecting the effort:

a)  There is friction between the hotel, who wants to generate revenue, and the host who wants a “fair” registration process.

b)  There is no accountability with the current process.  This causes problems with membership's perception of fairness, and the potential impact on our contractual obligations, due to cancelations received just prior to the event  

It doesn’t matter who the host is, each is faced with the same challenge.  We decided to put some “guardrails” in place to ensure a fair process without interfering with the hotel’s revenue stream.  We called it “upfront accountability.” The convention hotel was accountable for not taking reservations within our block until we authorized release.  When they “sold” 20 of our rooms last September, we forced them to give our rooms back.  We wanted to maintain the integrity of our room block for our membership. We also placed restrictions on membership; non-refundable room deposit, 3-night minimum, and no IPMS rate for people who made early reservations outside our room block. We believed these efforts would maintain block integrity and make more rooms available to membership who followed the “rules of engagement.”  To ensure future success, these specific requirements must be incorporated in each contract with the convention hotel.  In my opinion, this can be done easily by the E-Board since they sign the hotel contracts.  From our perspective, it would ensure continuity each year, regardless of who hosts the show.    

The effort also calls for building relationships.  I had a great relationship with our convention chair, and he backed me completely with this new way of doing business.  We had a very good relationship with the national team as well.  Although there was some “angst” with trying a new process, the E-Board approved our request.  We actually looked at it as a “proof of concept.”  If it worked, national could adopt this as a standard practice.  If it didn’t, they could go back to what they were doing.   National also supported us by sending out Wild Sau messages at key points during the reservation process and regularly posted our hotel updates on the convention website.  We also built relationships with our hotels. This was critical. Most of our hotels developed websites tailored specifically to our convention--4 clicks, and you’re done.  In many cases, they went “above and beyond” using their own initiative to support the show that went beyond their contract.  The feedback we received, including yours, was very positive.  It takes time to build these relationships, and honestly, I was a little surprised by this year’s September room release.

We covered the hotel effort as part of our convention “after-action report.”  We provided detail on how we accomplished the effort, highlighted the positive response, and made the recommendation that National adopt this process as a standard practice.  Again, this can be done through the contract process.  The host chapter can then focus on building those relationships needed to ensure a smooth process.  We also planned to share the final report with the current host to help with continuity.   

As for your recommendation to give members “first-shot” at the convention hotel as a “membership perk,” I absolutely agree with you.  I think it could and should be done.  I included that as part of the draft report.  I don’t know if it will make the final report or whether the E-Board will act on it, but for what it’s worth, I think the idea has merit and I included it in my write up.

Regards –

John

  

[Eric Aitala]

One thing everyone needs to check is their 'Email subscriptions' setting under their profile in Wild Apricot.

If you do not have all the boxes checked, you may not get all the emails.

Eric

[ghodges]

Eric's right..... he and Nancy put me onto that and I didn't have ALL those boxes checked, but I do now! 

The only odd thing is that I ALWAYS got any "mass emails" (Wild Apricot or otherwise) up until this week, even if only because I was the Chapter Contact. Why the email John Figueroa sent was different (and that I missed) is unexplained thus far.

But I have to second Eric's point about FIRST making sure you have all the boxes checked so you're eligible for any and all messages from IPMSUSA!

 

Gil 

[Eric Aitala]

Looking at the WA manual - they are two different classes of email.  The 'Automatic event announcements.' would come from the actual Nats event created in WA.  I'm not sure that's even been set up for 2026 yet.  Then there are the "Mass emails from administrators" which are generally manually sent by the staff and can target the various groups in the system.  Given the image above, its possible to unsubscribe to them separately, which could happen using the links in the emails themselves. ( see https://gethelp.wildapricot.com/en/articles/64-unsubscribing-from-emails ) 

E

[Ron Bell]

Gil, did your computer "update" itself recently? I find that every time mine does something changes that I had no intention of changing but the "update" did it automatically. 

[ghodges]

Dunno..... not that I'm aware of, but then again I'm a Luddite when it comes to tech stuff! 🙂

 

Gil  

[PaulBradley]

** whatever. 

 

[Schmitz]

I'm old enough to remember when there were rooms available weeks after the show rate was announced/unlocked. I think the tipping point was the first Nats at an Embassy suites (Omaha?) where the massive courtyard lounge made for an awesome - and unplanned - social experience. I think its that atmosphere - more than the few-dollar savings - that has people fighting for a room in the "main" hotel. On top of that are a few capitalists who recognize that anything in high demand is an opportunity for profit making, who book rooms that they plan to resell.

I have no idea what the hotels can support, but one thought is to give members a chance to book a guaranteed room in the "main" hotel in advance of unlocking the blocks.  Members would be limited to reserving a single room by making a purchase via Wild Apricot, paying for the reservation (or at least a big chunk of the cost) in advance (think of it as a "room license"). The host chapter could then negotiate for a block of rooms knowing exactly how many they needed to meet the number of licenses they had sold. I'm thinking the "license" would be transferable (maybe at a small charge) but not-refundable.

I'm also wondering if there are other organizations that face similar challenges and have come up with better solutions.

[CaptainAhab]

I never received an e-mail either, but after reading Eric’s recommendation I checked, sure enough the settings were not set correctly to get e-mails. Maybe a notice needs to go out to ALL members to do the same, obviously not by e-mail, maybe in the Journal?

As far as the hotels and conventions go, I believe there are numerous reasons that combine to cause the current issues, the only thing that seems to have made a difference was when a deposit was required, requiring people to actually open their wallet a little instead of being able to make a no commitment reservation that very well may get canceled anyway, or sold to someone else. 
 

Remember, it always comes down to money.