2023 IPMS Nationals

[rbaer]

What year is this? rotfl! I thought that was kind of short notice.
Okay then. I'm less than an hour away and will drop in after work when I can, have a car or two and look forward to meeting up.

[halfasskustoms]

Jun 14, 2023 14:08:30 GMT -5 rbaer said:

What year is this? rotfl! I thought that was kind of short notice.
Okay then. I'm less than an hour away and will drop in after work when I can, have a car or two and look forward to meeting up.

www.nats2023.com/

[Medicman71]

Just registered!! I'll be there Wed-Sat. Since it's just me, I'm 100% flexible when it comes to meeting up.

[stikpusher]

Meet up during the awards ceremony at the hotel lobby bar 😏🥃🍻

[keavdog]

What is the best day to see the most stuff on the table? I'm thinking Friday afternoon. Thoughts?
I'd like to go longer, but I'm stacking this on top of seeing my new granddaughter ... priorities and all.

[Real G]

Keavdog,

First thing Saturday morning is the best time to see all the models.  Sometimes you'll miss a late entry on Friday afternoon, before the doors close for judging.

At one Nationals (I think it was Orange County), I tootled around too much on Saturday and didn't get back until late afternoon, after the contest room closed.  Okay, actually we did get back in time, but were too distracted by the vendor's area and thus ran out of time to see the late Friday entries.

I missed a LOT of the models.  I only realized it when the photos started being posted online.

[406 Silverado]

Jun 15, 2023 15:07:26 GMT -5 Real G said:

Keavdog,

First thing Saturday morning is the best time to see all the models.  Sometimes you'll miss a late entry on Friday afternoon, before the doors close for judging.

At one Nationals (I think it was Orange County), I tootled around too much on Saturday and didn't get back until late afternoon, after the contest room closed.  Okay, actually we did get back in time, but were too distracted by the vendor's area and thus ran out of time to see the late Friday entries.

I missed a LOT of the models.  I only realized it when the photos started being posted online.

I haven't looked at the itinerary just yet but I'll have my family up there and am pretty sure that they'll want to go to a venue of some sort other than the show while we're there. I'll be there as of that Thursday and will probably enter and put what I'm bringing on the tables and be touch and go from there. I am relishing the opportunity to meet everyone there and hang out somewhere during the judging day.

[rbaer]

I haven't decided if I'm going to enter anything or not, but because I'm close can swing by any day after work. I get off at 1PM, and after hosing off could be at the venue 3-ish. I HAVE to hit the vendors. Also, I live in Dripping Springs, lots of breweries, wineries and distilleries nearby, several minutes from the house.

[Real G]

Jun 17, 2023 9:44:43 GMT -5 rbaer said:

I haven't decided if I'm going to enter anything or not, but because I'm close can swing by any day after work. I get off at 1PM, and after hosing off could be at the venue 3-ish. I HAVE to hit the vendors. Also, I live in Dripping Springs, lots of breweries, wineries and distilleries nearby, several minutes from the house.

Be sure to hit the vendor’s room ASAP on Wednesday. It usually opens at 2:00 pm or something like that. A lot of the really cool stuff gets picked up early on. You’ll see guys walking around with stuff that makes you think “Holy cow, where’d he get THAT?!

I always tell myself if I see it, I want it, then I buy it. But I never seem to follow my own advice. When I go back, it’s gone! But not always. I recall there was an Airfix Vulcan (the old one) and an Entex Tu-144 that sat all the way till Saturday.

[Medicman71]

So I was in the area this weekend (daughter got married in Kyle just north of San Marcos). Saw the hotel/convention center right off the freeway. It's on the south side of San Marcos and you can't miss it.

Does anyone know when you put your models on the table? There's no FAQ anywhere.

[dukemaddog]

Jun 3, 2023 12:23:00 GMT -5 Tojo72 said:

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

Tony you missed a great one! Chattanooga was my favorite overall....so far.

Armornutii, you went to Vegas? I was there too. I got there a day early to set my my collection. I wish I'd known, we could have met up.

Mike, you can set your models on the tables as soon as you finish checking in at the entrance. Bring them with you; or of you have too many to carry, check in then go get them. One thing that makes it faster: fill out all your entry/display forms ahead of time and bring them with you. That way you an breeze right in and start setting them up.

I won't be at San Marcos; I cannot afford it. If things work out; I might be at Milwaukee; I'm sure hoping to be there. I know Jeff Herne well and would be thrilled to see him again. We'll see.

[Medicman71]

Jun 22, 2023 16:11:34 GMT -5 dukemaddog said:

Jun 3, 2023 12:23:00 GMT -5 Tojo72 said:

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

Tony you missed a great one! Chattanooga was my favorite overall....so far.

Armornutii, you went to Vegas? I was there too. I got there a day early to set my my collection. I wish I'd known, we could have met up.

Mike, you can set your models on the tables as soon as you finish checking in at the entrance. Bring them with you; or of you have too many to carry, check in then go get them. One thing that makes it faster: fill out all your entry/display forms ahead of time and bring them with you. That way you an breeze right in and start setting them up.

I won't be at San Marcos; I cannot afford it. If things work out; I might be at Milwaukee; I'm sure hoping to be there. I know Jeff Herne well and would be thrilled to see him again. We'll see.

Yeah I saw the entry forms. Just gotta figure out what categories they need to go in. The Stryker is always the hardest.

[armornutii]

   I was hoping to have a couple armor thingies that I can pack as a carry on, since last Wednesday I'm not so sure. Today dialysis felt I ran a triatholon...holy smokes. Feel better but just blah.
     There is almost nothing keeping me from coming and supporting my friends....and spending money  so.   Don't care where we meet so long as we meet.
      Dorry I missed ya Duke, I am already planning on Wisconson in 24 so don't count me out yet my friend.
    For reference and an afterthought... I do not run marathons or triatholons.  I do run from bears and to buffets but anything beyond that...

[Medicman71]

So I think we can agree to meet at the Squadron booth. We just need to pick a time and day. If we want to go out to dinner, we should probably meet towards the end of the day at Nats.

[dukemaddog]

Mike, looking at the contest categories for San Marco; I'd say the Stryker would fit best in either 201-C or 209. Definitely check with the head armor judge for certainty. Or, post on the IPMS USA Forums under "About the IPMS/USA National Convention". You should get a straight answer there.

Armornutii, no worries, I do hope I can go and meet you in Madison. In Vegas, when I wasn't photographing models in the contest room or shopping in the vendor room, I spent my time in the display room answering questions about my collection.

[Medicman71]

Thanks Mark. I looked at the award that I got for it from the local show and I think it fits in the 209 Armored Cars. At least that's the category it won in before.

[406 Silverado]

I'm really looking forward to going to one of these......FINALLY. My family (to include my 19 year old son and his girlfriend) are going to be with us so I'm gonna have to find some sort of venue up there for the evenings to keep those two from getting bored out of their minds. If it were just him that'd be alright but his girlfriend is a "goer". Gotta go do something.

[armornutii]

   I'm down with dinner, I truely hate to be the stick in the mud but I'm gonna have to duck out for a few hours to do dialysis. My shedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday but not sure what time I'll get a travel chair. As soon as I know I will update. Worst case scenerio I meet hand chat then you felkas raise a glass for me.

[Medicman71]

Jun 23, 2023 17:04:36 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I'm really looking forward to going to one of these......FINALLY. My family (to include my 19 year old son and his girlfriend) are going to be with us so I'm gonna have to find some sort of venue up there for the evenings to keep those two from getting bored out of their minds. If it were just him that'd be alright but his girlfriend is a "goer". Gotta go do something.

Well there’s a lot of outlet malls not far from the convention center and more in New Braunfels just to the south. 

[406 Silverado]

Jun 24, 2023 19:59:24 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Jun 23, 2023 17:04:36 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I'm really looking forward to going to one of these......FINALLY. My family (to include my 19 year old son and his girlfriend) are going to be with us so I'm gonna have to find some sort of venue up there for the evenings to keep those two from getting bored out of their minds. If it were just him that'd be alright but his girlfriend is a "goer". Gotta go do something.

Well there’s a lot of outlet malls not far from the convention center and more in New Braunfels just to the south. 

That's right!! I drive right by 'em every time we head north on I-35. Thanks Mike!!

[Medicman71]

Jun 23, 2023 17:37:18 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   I'm down with dinner, I truely hate to be the stick in the mud but I'm gonna have to duck out for a few hours to do dialysis. My shedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday but not sure what time I'll get a travel chair. As soon as I know I will update. Worst case scenerio I meet hand chat then you felkas raise a glass for me.

Naw man. We‘ll wait for you. If nothing else you and I can get something to eat on your schedule. 

[Medicman71]

Ok I have a question for those that have been to Nats before. The seminars that I assume is free, is it a first come first serve kind thing?

[406 Silverado]

Jun 24, 2023 20:07:18 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Ok I have a question for those that have been to Nats before. The seminars that I assume is free, is it a first come first serve kind thing?

That is indeed a good question. I'm curious as well.

[Real G]

The seminars are indeed normally free, first come, first serve. Some might include a workshop, like airbrushing, so a fee to cover materials might be charged.

[armornutii]

   Thanks for chiming in Neal. I asked around my club to regular Nats attendees and they said that if you are registered the seminars are free to attend.
   I for one have a couple I realky want to check out, the basic diorama, figure painting, stash management. I know   my stash is similar to a " see food" diet...see a model gotta buy it.

[Medicman71]

Is it wrong that some of the seminars I want to go to just for the person that's doing them? John Bonanni, Martin Drayton,Scott Gentry/Grant Mayberry, The Model Geeks

[armornutii]

   Yes very wierd, HAAHAA no I think it is great that someone knows and admires individual seminar hosts, thise guyrs are realky rock stars to most of us. You're on yer own if ya faint however LOL.

[rbaer]

So do we need to do a roll call for those going? I'm in any afternoon, real flexible. I like the idea of meeting at the Squadron booth, easy to find. Too bad we don't have MSC tee shirts....

[armornutii]

" all fighters check in" 
   Red 5 checking in. Perry

[Real G]

Jun 29, 2023 7:32:10 GMT -5 armornutii said:

" all fighters check in" 
   Red 5 checking in. Perry

Perry, I think you are Red Leader!