2021 IPMS-USA Nats hotel reservations are open

I wonder how this pandemic is going to pan out next year?  I was planning on attending, but the way things are right now, anything could happen.  But thanks for the heads up!

Vegas should be ok by then. I made my room reservations the other day.

I'd love to attend this in Vegas.

My main purpose in going to nats or big shows is buying stuff. The airline won't let me throw my stash "in the trunk"....or the backseat, so my M.O. so far has been if I can't drive, I don't go. Hence, I have attended exacty one nat in 7 years which pretty much sucks.

I don't suppose I'm the only one. Am I overlooking a simple solution to this dilemna I've made up in my head? (Enjoying the show and not buying stuff is not an option )

My focus going to shows nowadays is to enjoy the models.  I just love seeing how creative or crazy modelers can get.  I like it best when the dial goes to 11!

The highlight of going to shows used to be the shopping, but I have been buying less and less as time goes on.  The last time I attended the Nats, I brought home two kits, but one was for a friend. 

That being said, I do shop for supplies, accessories and tools for the kits I already have.  And I DO still love hitting the vendor’s room - it’s always the first stop!

Fingers crossed that the COVID thing is under control by next year.

Real G

Fingers crossed that the COVID thing is under control by next year.

+1 for sure.

   I was hoping having a cool beverage with the mighty Armornut was a good reason to go to the Nat's. Just kidding RG! Just got news that my trip to Vegas may be easier than it was a few weeks ago.

Here’s hoping things work out. I would definitely like to have the honor of having a drink in the presence of the Mighty Armornut!  

But beware being seen with me - I carry the mark of a Napkinwaffe/anime leper!  Serious scale modelers shun me.  

   I'm a legend in my own mind sooo...we'll be in good company LOL. Lets hope we can make it happen.

Ooh, the block of hotel rooms ran out yesterday!  They added some more, but if you are thinking of going, better make your reservations ASAP.

    Gonna have to hold short for a couple weeks, just got re hired at my job, was laid off for a couple weeks. Worse case I end up out in the boondocks and have to drive in for the convention.

My company's travel agent sent out this article in an email yesterday.  They are not allowing us to pre-pay and book any hotels outside of six weeks.

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/hotels-survive-COVID-19-15411455.php?

Real G

Ooh, the block of hotel rooms ran out yesterday!  They added some more, but if you are thinking of going, better make your reservations ASAP. 

The organizing committee announced over the weekend that they had gone from 1600 room nights (that's 400 people for the four days of the show), through 2000, 2200, and are ending the block at 2400 room nights.   That's 600 people at the convention hotel.  Today's task for them is negotiating room block rates with adjacent hotels. 

For a first-timer, do you have to be an IPMS member to go there and look around/shop the vendors? Would you need to do anything other than pay general admission?

(I assume to compete you’d need a IPMS membership, though? What preparations would you need to compete a model, too?)

John 3:16 KJV

For a first-timer, do you have to be an IPMS member to go there and look around/shop the vendors? Would you need to do anything other than pay general admission?

(I assume to compete you’d need a IPMS membership, though? What preparations would you need to compete a model, too?)

 

My friends and I have reserved hotel rooms, but none of us have any confidence it will happen with the way things are going now.

But we all agreed that we should start our contest models now, just in case.  If we finish them but the Nats gets cancelled, at least we have something for next time.

Fingers crossed, and hope the pandemic gets reined in soon.

Real G

 

 

No, anyone can go.  Just pay the admission, go inside, and go nuts!  Admission gets you into both the contest room and vendor room.  You do need to be an IPMS member to compete.

 

Ed,

You are correct in that you must register (and thus be an IPMS national member) to get the swag bag.

RealG- Thanks for the info; that’s good to know about the admission! 

Ed- Thanks for your input, too! Those extras would be nice.

If I got an IPMS membership, how would I become a registered attendee? Is there a form for that I’d have to fill out and send somewhere/bring with me?

Once you are an IPMS national member, you fill out a registration form that is usually made available around February.  The host chapter will have a webpage up to download forms as well as specific convention details.

After filling out the forms, where do you send them? 

You either fill out the registration form electronically and email it back with payment information, or print out the form, manually fill in, then mail it back with a check.  The instructions will provide the address. 

Go to the Las Vegas convention website ...

https://www.natslv2021.com/

... and click the registration tab.    Online registration opens in February.   It is a simple process to checkout through the shopping cart.   It all gets billed through the IPMS National Office.   They take plastic or PayPal.   When you get to the convention you walk up to the registration desk, give them your name, and they hand you your packet & swag bag.

It doesn't look like the paper registration forms have been uploaded yet.   You can always rely on the USPS (yeah, right).

You can always register on site.   Costs you a bit more and you will have to wait in a separate line with the other slackers.

The convention opens a year from today.   You have a bit of time to worry about it.

!!!  A year?  The clock starts ticking!  

Thank you, guys!