2023 IPMS Nationals

[Medicman71]

Hey guys! Is anyone going to Nationals this year? I'm for sure going and this will be my first.

[Real G]

I can't make it this year.  

But you will have a blast!  Whether you bring a model to throw into the fray or "go stag", it will be memorable, I'm sure.  The first time is usually the best time.  Oh, and don't forget the spending money.  You will need spending money.  Lots and lots of spending money...

How much?  It depends on you.  I blew around $500 at the first Nationals I attended, but the spending has gone way down.  The last one I went to in 2021, I ended up buying only 3 kits, but only one was for me!  Below is everything I bought in the vendor's room (the rest was from Trader Joe's).



Have some Texas barbecue for us, and post photos and your story please!

[406 Silverado]

May 30, 2023 11:56:49 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Hey guys! Is anyone going to Nationals this year? I'm for sure going and this will be my first.

DEFINITELY!! I've already got my hotel room reserved.

[squadron]

I will be there!

[deafpanzer]

I wish! But I am already planning to attend next year as it will be in Madison, Wisconsin.

[chromdome35]

I am thinking about going if that counts.

[armornutii]

   Got my room reserved, car reserved, flight booked, only thing left besides travel is to know if I need to skip out for a dialysis session. Oh yea and a HUGE paycheck...which will be set aside next month

[rbaer]

We HAVE to meet up. I'm 45 minutes from the show and may or may not enter anything, but Oh. My. Gawd! The vendors! I'm squirreling away loose change and playing the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes.

[Tojo72]

Enjoy,should be great,I almost went to Chattanooga a few years ago,I'll probably never be thst close again.

[keavdog]

99% sure going to check it out either Friday or Saturday (not competing). I will have a brand new granddaughter by then and I'll be visiting my daughter who happens to live in San Marcos TX!

[Leon]

Have a great time guys! Distance is a little far for me.

[adt70hk]

Jun 3, 2023 18:13:14 GMT -5 Leon said:

Have a great time guys! Distance is a little far for me.

Think I can top that Leon......the Atlantic Ocean makes it kind of tricky!

I do have some pics of the UK's first post-Covid IPMS Nationals from last year to share at some point. Not sure if I will go this year though.

ATB

Andrew

[chromdome35]

Jun 3, 2023 16:20:23 GMT -5 keavdog said:

99% sure going to check it out either Friday or Saturday (not competing). I will have a brand new granddaughter by then and I'll be visiting my daughter who happens to live in San Marcos TX!

Congrats on the new grandkid!!!

[armornutii]

   Just a suggestion, if nothing else those willing should have a meet and greet the plunder some resturant or BBQ for comeraderie and banter. Nothing firmal, or obligatory just an evening or lunch to put  faces to names.  BTW I look EXACTLY lije my avatar LOL

[adt70hk]

Jun 3, 2023 16:20:23 GMT -5 keavdog said:

99% sure going to check it out either Friday or Saturday (not competing). I will have a brand new granddaughter by then and I'll be visiting my daughter who happens to live in San Marcos TX!

Congratulations!

[stikpusher]

Jun 4, 2023 9:04:49 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Just a suggestion, if nothing else those willing should have a meet and greet the plunder some resturant or BBQ for comeraderie and banter. Nothing firmal, or obligatory just an evening or lunch to put  faces to names.  BTW I look EXACTLY lije my avatar LOL

Well, unless the convention is full of Furries, you should be easy to spot based on your avatar… 😉

[halfasskustoms]

Its to far away from me. So that is a nope for me.

[mrt51]

Yep I'll be there.

[rbaer]

We should set a date and place, like the man said, put faces to names.

[Medicman71]

Absolutely!!! I'll be there all four days. My family lives in Schertz, TX which is just northeast of San Antonio so I'm about 30 minutes or so from San Marcos. So we'll just need to pick a day that everyone will be there.

[armornutii]

   I'll be there all week as well.

[Real G]

Jun 4, 2023 3:52:10 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Jun 3, 2023 18:13:14 GMT -5 Leon said:

Have a great time guys! Distance is a little far for me.

Think I can top that Leon......the Atlantic Ocean makes it kind of tricky!

I do have some pics of the UK's first post-Covid IPMS Nationals from last year to share at some point. Not sure if I will go this year though.

ATB

Andrew

Ha ha, I know what you mean - I am in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, so it’s a 2,500 mile drive just to reach dry land on the continental US!

BTW, I did attend Telford back in 2015. It was very different from the US Nationals, but in a good way. That convention center is mid-boggling in span! I tired myself out walking back and forth 3 times in one day. The competition room held some incredible models! RAF Museums Cosford and Hendon were amazing as well. We also stayed at Wool for a night and went to the Tank Museum in Bovington. I was like a little kid on Christmas morning!

So yes, distances are relative!

[armornutii]

   It appears we have an interest in doing a meet and greet, since we have the privlige of rubbing elbows with an amazing vendor right here on our forums what say we make his display at the Nats our rally point?
     I will be there from July 31 to Aug 5th because of travel planning, just info. Next is do we want to do a lunch or dinner? There are a few seminars I would like to attend as I sure others would too. Plus we can't forget invading the vendor spaces looking fir treasures....or dare I say MOB royalties LOL

[Medicman71]

Jun 5, 2023 10:32:27 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   It appears we have an interest in doing a meet and greet, since we have the privlige of rubbing elbows with an amazing vendor right here on our forums what say we make his display at the Nats our rally point?
     I will be there from July 31 to Aug 5th because of travel planning, just info. Next is do we want to do a lunch or dinner? There are a few seminars I would like to attend as I sure others would too. Plus we can't forget invading the vendor spaces looking fir treasures....or dare I say MOB royalties LOL

LMAO!! "Hey! Don't you know who we are?" I think a dinner would be the nest idea. Especially with some of us going to seminars. And meeting up at the Squadron stand makes perfect sense.

[rbaer]

Well, it looks like the whole shebang got moved to Wisconsin. Brilliant. I'm out.

[chromdome35]

Jun 9, 2023 6:29:22 GMT -5 rbaer said:

Well, it looks like the whole shebang got moved to Wisconsin. Brilliant. I'm out.

The email I got was that next years nationals were in Wisconsin, not this years.

We want to announce a change of venue and date for the 2024 National Convention. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have moved the event to a new location.
We are excited to share that the 2024 National Convention will now be held at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center on July 17-20. Located on the shores of Lake Monona in downtown Madison, this large and professional event space is an ideal location for the IPMS/USA National Convention. There is plenty of onsite parking, nearby hotels, and an excellent restaurant scene within walking distance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, but we are confident this new venue will deliver an unforgettable attendee experience.
IPMS/USA would like to recognize the IPMS Mad City Modelers' dedication and commitment throughout the early planning process. The show is in great hands, and we can’t wait for 2024. Additional information on the new venue will be posted soon on the IPMS/USA homepage. If you have any questions, feel free to contact John Bonanni, Second Vice President

[armornutii]

   According to the IPMS USA website, San Marcos is still the place to be in 23.
  Lets do this thang

[406 Silverado]

Jun 9, 2023 17:33:05 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   According to the IPMS USA website, San Marcos is still the place to be in 23.
  Lets do this thang

I had a response earlier stating that but forgot to post it. It's a good thing too because I've already got everything in place to go.

[armornutii]

  Got yer back....fist bump to chest, head bob..

[armornutii]

   As the event approaches perhaps we should get a head count of folks who would like to have a meet and greet dinner during convention.  Not trying to make it a huge formal thing however if there are several if us perhaps we should choose where we would like to go after we rally at the Squadron booth.
   I don't know the area so where a good place to go is abit out of my experience. I personally will eat anything EXCEPT guaquamole not fond of the slimy green stuff but that isn't a deal breaker as I can just not order it.
     I akso will have a rental car and will be happy to carpool if we go offf site for our get together...need someone to interact with " Bitching Betty" LOL.
      Excited to meet you guys, Vegas was great and I enjoy chatting here with all of you. Meeting face to face is WAY better.