Can I attend a contest if I'm not an IPMS member?

Yes, most clubs are happy to take your money to view the event as well as enter the contest. If our hosts limited themselves to allowing only IPMS members there would be few in attendance.

The only time I was asked for my proof of membership was at a Regional and at the Nats.

In fact many of the IPMS Chapters in Wisconsin as well as elsewhere membership are not IPMS members. I know we have several, but not all are.

You do not have to be an IPMS member to attend Local or Regional events.  Local. or Invitational events usually do not require IPMS membership to compete.  Regionals may vary on that policy.  Certainly none of the Vendors are going to ask to see a membership card.  They just want those crisp Greenbacks from your wallet .

Regards,  Rick

You might have to pay a higher entry fee for the exhibition, if you're not an IPMS member.  Not a big deal, though.

echolmberg

Hi guys!

I see that there are going to be a couple of IPMS contests in WI this year.  I think one is in Madison and the other is...um....not in Madison.  Anyway, I'm not a current member of IPMS (but I was back in the late '80s and early '90s) and I'd like to attend these contests as a spectator, not a participant.  Maybe that part will come later.

Anyway, are only IPMS members allowed to walk through the doors?  I saw that one of the contests is also labeled as a "contest and swap meet".  If there are venders there selling their wares, do I have to be an IPMS member to make purchases?

Thanks to all,

Eric

Can you post the dates of these events. I am in WI and would like to attend some of these shows. Thanks!!

Found the one in Madison, should check Google first, lol

Any others?

Jseese,

The one in Madison is on April 10th at the Radisson Hotel.  Then there's one in Wausau on Oct. 16th at the Howard Johnson Inn & Convention Center.

Madison is 2.5 hours from me here in Green Bay and Wausau is an hour and a half.  I'd like to go to one or (preferably) both but we shall see. 

I know that IPMS is a huge organization.  I guess I kind of figured that there'd be enough members around or willing to travel to make it a "members only" sort of affair.  But you're right Gerald!  When one brings their friends along (Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin, et al) then I guess they'll open the velvet ropes for me.  LOL!

Just in ballpark figures (I assume the cost varries?) about how much is it to attend one of these contests as an observer?  How about when entering a model in a contest?  Do they charge you per model?

I've only ever seen my own models.  No one else I know is as avid as I am.  I'm not saying I'm the world's most avid builder.  What I mean is that, well, frankly I'm the ONLY model builder in my circle of family and friends.  I'd like to see how other people's models look.  I look forward to attending a show or two as a wonderful learning experience!

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Eric

Thanks Eric for the info and I am only about an hour south of Madison so I will check that one out. I know exactly what you mean with not having freinds being into the hobby or even understanding it. My dad is into trains so he gets it and my wife does only because she is my wife but that is about it. So I too am excitied to see some others who are into the hobby.

Jon

Cost will vary by event so it's hard to say.  There are 3 shows annually in the general area I live in.  For observers, one Show is free, one charges $2 & one charges $10, but that includes entry to the Air Museum in which it's held.  For competitors, there is usually a $10-$15 entry fee, which covers up to X entries & then an additional $1-$2 fee for entries exceeding the X.  As noted, IPMS members often get a discount, but it's usually only $1-$2.

Go to the IPMS USA web site & click on "Upcoming Events".  Most Host Chapters post lots of info on their upcoming events, including fees.

Regards,  Rick 

Here's the flier for the Madison event.

http://www.madcitymodelers.org/shows/mcm10/eventfLyer.pdf    

Just might have to head over to Madtown for this. (spectator only)

Anyone else gonna go?

, Dave

Jseese, my wife totally and without hesitation supports my hobby.  I brought the contests up to her last night night and, while she likes my hobby and the planes I make, I don't think going to a contest 2.5 hours away would be her cup of tea.  And I completely understand and I certainly wouldn't subject her to something that she wouldn't be interested in.  It's all fair because she doesn't take me to her cake decorating classes.  LOL!

Rick, thank you so much for the cost info!  It's always nice to know whether I should expect a $2 admission fee or a $20 admission fee.  I was very happy to see how those in the youth category just pay a flat fee no matter how many kits they submit.  I think it's a wonderful thing to encourage them to be in the contest without fear of cost.

Dave, thank you for the flyer!  I can see that they really need some help to clean up that logo of theirs.  LOL!  Who knows.  Maybe I'll see you there!

I think my models are pretty good (translation:  I'm happy with them and they make me happy) but I think I would feel VERY intimidated by the level of quality I might find at one of these contests.  So I'll just be an observer for now.  I've always made them to be judge by me.  I think I'm too scared to have them judged by others.  

Eric

If I do get there, I will be wearing my new Hartmann T. "See, Decide, Attack, Disengage".

, Dave.

Excellent.  I'll wear my "The Many Emotions of Chuck Norris" T-shirt.  LOL!

WooHooo!!....this coming Saturday.

Who's all going?

, Dave

I'll be there with my son. I'm pretty sure Frank (Daywalker) will there too.

Regards,

Jeff

You do not need to be a IPMS member to enter the Madison contest.

If you wish to enter a model in the contest the fee will be $10 for your first 5 entries, $1.00 per entry  after that.

Just want to look, $2.00 to get in the door.   Always good stuff to see at this show, I alway come away motivated from this show.  It is nice to see quality builds "live" and not just in a magazine.

We normally have a good vendor turnout so bring your $

Doors open at 8:00 am

Hope to see you all there.

I was there....some nice stuff. I liked the Flak 88 dio, and the 1/32 Starfighter & Super Saber. those finishes were awesome.

I wore the shirt I said I was going to wear. No one said "Boo" to me.

Oh well, I will be going to the 4-H one at the Milwaukee VA center.

, Dave

Sorry I missed you Dave!

Believe me, I had every intention of going to the Madison contest but the previous week I had just returned from driving all around Chicago.  I'm from Green Bay so the family and I drove about 500 miles that weekend.  That being said, I was kind of tired of driving.  But the kicker was that a few days before the Madison show, I came down with a horrible cold and Saturday was the worst day of it.  I really wanted to go but The Big Guy upstairs told me to get some rest.

I hope it was a good show!

Eric

I thought it was pretty good. (Only the second one I've attended.) Seemed like a good turnout. I have several pics on my camera....it just takes so long for me to upload them to photobucket, and at only one at a time. I was hoping Hawkeye would have been there with his paints. But I did get an EA-6B, 1/48 for $29, and I picked up a razor saw kit. Almost grabed an Eduard Bf-109E in 1/32, but there was no price. Besides, I already had the EA-6B to sneak in.

Oh well, theres always next time.....there is another one at the VA Center in Milwaukee on 08MAY10. Appears to be 4-H, but the flier indicated something about "judging by Chicago rules". Not sure what that means.

, Dave

I think it means whoever bribes the most, wins.

Eric

...yes...