IPMS chapter events .... a general question

Many chapters/clubs have a newsletter which shows schedules of club events.  Some hobby shops in my areas get copies of club newsletters and post them on bulletin boards. If no such boards, ask hobby shop proprietor if he knows meeting schedule of club.

All the local-ish "events" that I have been to, have only been one day affairs. I have not attended any of the "how-to siminars"...which are usually just a handfull of people, in a small room or corner somewhere.

Typically, go through the sign up...display my models in their respective areas, then hit the vendor room for a cursary look. Sometimes, if there's something I REALLY need, I buy it immediately...if it's not high on the list, I'll see if someone else has the same kit for less. After I've bought what I need...I go back through the display area, to see new arrivals...back to the vendors for thing I didn't know I needed....basically a bunch of back and forth. Then I nab me a couple "yum rockets" (hot dogs) from the consession stand....then a lot more "mall walkin" through the vendors...killin time (and my wallet) until the judging is done.

Over the years, our club has checked the calendar of events and gone to any that are within 2 (more or less) hours drive from our area. While at these events, if we hear of any other events in those areas, we give them a try. As of now, we go to 3 IPMS events, 1 other local event sponsored by Hobytowne and a Professional Figure Show in Valley Forge every year. We keep our eyes and ears open for other shows to attend. Fine Scale also lists upcoming events in the back of the magazine with the classified ads.

Another way to find them is to join IPMS. The magazine you get always has all the shows around the country.

Jim  

Don Stauffer

Many chapters/clubs have a newsletter which shows schedules of club events.  Some hobby shops in my areas get copies of club newsletters and post them on bulletin boards. If no such boards, ask hobby shop proprietor if he knows meeting schedule of club.

 

That's a good idea, Don. I do have one hobby shop within driving distance that still carries plastic kits, be a nice afternoon drive down to ask them what they might know.

Thank you.

fermis

All the local-ish "events" that I have been to, have only been one day affairs. I have not attended any of the "how-to siminars"...which are usually just a handfull of people, in a small room or corner somewhere.

Typically, go through the sign up...display my models in their respective areas, then hit the vendor room for a cursary look. Sometimes, if there's something I REALLY need, I buy it immediately...if it's not high on the list, I'll see if someone else has the same kit for less. After I've bought what I need...I go back through the display area, to see new arrivals...back to the vendors for thing I didn't know I needed....basically a bunch of back and forth. Then I nab me a couple "yum rockets" (hot dogs) from the consession stand....then a lot more "mall walkin" through the vendors...killin time (and my wallet) until the judging is done.

 

Thanks for the rundown of what the more local shows are like. Having only been to the one show, and it being a nat, I have been curious about same so you read my mind in a way.

fox

Over the years, our club has checked the calendar of events and gone to any that are within 2 (more or less) hours drive from our area. While at these events, if we hear of any other events in those areas, we give them a try. As of now, we go to 3 IPMS events, 1 other local event sponsored by Hobytowne and a Professional Figure Show in Valley Forge every year. We keep our eyes and ears open for other shows to attend. Fine Scale also lists upcoming events in the back of the magazine with the classified ads.

Another way to find them is to join IPMS. The magazine you get always has all the shows around the country.

Jim  

 

Something like that is pretty much what I have in my mind, Jim.

I forgot to mention in my OP that I've already made an attempt to contact my local chapter which isn't very close to begin with and was in vain, so I'd be talking about driving further away to bigger/more active places.

I don't mind most drives less than 6 hrs.

I like the idea of a calendar of events in the IPMS magazine. More than one time it's been suggested by folk here to join, maybe it's time to do it.

Thanks for the feedback, Jim.

Greg, another way to find local events and the guys that go to them is to check the Readers Gallery every month in FSM magazine or on the Forums. That's how I found all the members of our "club". I checked the Gallery and tracked down the guys that live near me. We now have 7 members who live within 15 minutes of each other. One of them lived on the same road as I do about 1 mile west of me. A couple of them went to the events that I didn't know about. Now we all go together. We also get together once every month or so for show and tell and who's bringing what to the next show. Our next show is PennCon in Carlisle Pa. at the Army museum. Great show and you can go to the museum for free. Beats walking around the show all day waiting for the results or spending tooooo much at the vendor tables.

Jim  

Well that's a novel approach.

Thanks for that idea as well, Jim.

Just noticed that you are in Indiana.

Indianapolis has a show/contest every year. I have a buddy in Plymouth...I drive down to his place for the night to hit the show (I believe that one is in early Spring???). Gone three times now. Also, depending on whereabouts you are...there's a great show in Kalamazoo MI, at the AirZoo museum. Entry fees include access to the whole museum....contest tables and vendors are among the indoor aircraft! Contest is typically in early Oct.

I'm fortunate that I'm within two hours of several IPMS shows each year: Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta, GA; Knoxville, TN; Nashvile, TN and a couple in Alabama...there's also an AMPS/Figure show each year in Atlanta...

fermis

Just noticed that you are in Indiana.

Indianapolis has a show/contest every year. I have a buddy in Plymouth...I drive down to his place for the night to hit the show (I believe that one is in early Spring???). Gone three times now. Also, depending on whereabouts you are...there's a great show in Kalamazoo MI, at the AirZoo museum. Entry fees include access to the whole museum....contest tables and vendors are among the indoor aircraft! Contest is typically in early Oct.

 

 

 

 

As they say on TV, "Now that's what I'm talkin' about".

I just spent 40 minutes searching for info on that show at the AZO Air Zoo kuz I'd be up there in a heartbeat, .......to no avail. (I'll bet it's right in front of my nose)

But I found a show in Chicago and maybe Cincinnati so there is some progress. And on the show in Indy, that's definitely one I'd like to check out. I'm just up the road from Plymouth in the South Bend area.

So thanks, I'll keep looking for that Air Zoo show, and if you find anything more specific, maybe you could let me know?

Again, ta for the feedback.

Revenant

I'm fortunate that I'm within two hours of several IPMS shows each year: Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta, GA; Knoxville, TN; Nashvile, TN and a couple in Alabama...there's also an AMPS/Figure show each year in Atlanta...

 

Those too are the sorts of things I'm talking about/looking for. Sounds like you are centrally located for some great events!!!

Knoxville and Nashville shows might be a nice roadtrip shows for me, so I'll be keeping an eye open for those, thanks!

Hi Greg;

Your post inspired me to Google IPMS events, which took me to the calendar. On the lower right of the page is a link to all events, connecting to a great list of upcoming get togethers. Thanks to your post, I now have a couple marked on my calendar for fall.

Happy modeling!

Mike

Mike,

Well I'll be. I missed that link and it's pretty much just what I've been looking for. Much easier to read then the calendar above, and includes the location at a glance.

Thank you!

And to all of you who already replied and are sitting there shaking your heads having asssumed I was aware of the link because it was right in front of my eyes, what can I say??

.

Hey Rob, thanks for the heads-up!

Louisville is a pleasant (except for 465 around Indy) afternoon's drive away (about 5 hrs), and instead of busting through on my way up or down 65, I've always wanted to stop and explore.

Now I have an excuse. Thanks again, Rob.

PS, I didn't realize Ft Knox is just south of Louisville until just now. Learn something every day. Driven right by it so many times totally clueless.

.

Greg

 

 

fermis

Just noticed that you are in Indiana.

Indianapolis has a show/contest every year. I have a buddy in Plymouth...I drive down to his place for the night to hit the show (I believe that one is in early Spring???). Gone three times now. Also, depending on whereabouts you are...there's a great show in Kalamazoo MI, at the AirZoo museum. Entry fees include access to the whole museum....contest tables and vendors are among the indoor aircraft! Contest is typically in early Oct.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As they say on TV, "Now that's what I'm talkin' about".

I just spent 40 minutes searching for info on that show at the AZO Air Zoo kuz I'd be up there in a heartbeat, .......to no avail. (I'll bet it's right in front of my nose)

But I found a show in Chicago and maybe Cincinnati so there is some progress. And on the show in Indy, that's definitely one I'd like to check out. I'm just up the road from Plymouth in the South Bend area.

So thanks, I'll keep looking for that Air Zoo show, and if you find anything more specific, maybe you could let me know?

Again, ta for the feedback.

 

 

I can't seem to find a date for the Kalamazoo contest. Maybe they don't do it anymore??? I haven't been since 2010......time flies!!!

I did find this, though...http://ipmslivonia.org/ipms/Can-Am-16.htm

Contest is Oct 1st...it's a bit of a hike from S. Bend (3+ hours, roughly). It is highly likely that I will not be going....they outta know that Oct 1st is like a holiday around here!!! Opening day of deer season(archery)!

Rob, thanks for the additional info about Ft Knox. I'm going to stop my next time through even if not at a regional show. And sorry for my delayed response.

Fermis, too bad about the Air Zoo show, that surely did sound like something I'd like.

I'll keep Livonia in mind, and thanks for the info. I've been itching to go to Dearfield to see Greenfield Village and the Ford museum since Don mentioned it in a post last spring, maybe combine the two.

I'll be on the lookout for stray arrows if so.

Greg,

I believe Dayton, OH is relatively close to you. They have a show Sept 17th: DAPM Fall Invitational Contest

This is the one I plan to go to this year in October: Cincinnati Scale Modelers Annual Fall Contest/Swapmeet

Hopefully, I get to see you there!

Hey Bruce,

Thanks, those are both drivable.

Dayton is a no go as I have a committment that week, but maybe Cincinnati.

Again, I appreciate your input very much.

Greg,

My pleasure! Hope to maybe see you there.

I'm planning to go to the club meeting this Sunday. They have one every month on the first Sunday of the month. I'm looking forward to see how things are run.

hogfanfs

Greg,

My pleasure! Hope to maybe see you there.

I'm planning to go to the club meeting this Sunday. They have one every month on the first Sunday of the month. I'm looking forward to see how things are run.

 

That would be fun indeed. Hope you enjoy the first meeting, Bruce.