need modelers input

Well, I have only entered a grand total of one contest, and I think to a certain extent what you offer depends on the ages of the modelers. For older modelers, a small trophy for category winners and plaques for best of show should suffice. What type of award is given out would have no influence on whether or not I entered a contest, but that's just me.

The type of award makes no difference to me. We did plaques for many years, as did the rest of the clubs in the area. To people who enter a lot and are regular winners, the plaques look temptingly like diorama bases after a while. We went with a stand up casting of our logo in a nice presentation box a couple years ago. We've moved on to medallions on a ribbon, partly to deal with rising costs...over a thousand dollars a year for plaques. Whichever you, try to make it as individual as possible.

More imporant than the style of trophy, what brings people back are fair, honest and transparent judging (make sure you use non club members as part of your judging team), a good vendor room, adequate space in the display area, and a getting the awards presented as soon as possible after judging is done. Another goood thing many clubs around here do is to use 18 inch PVC tube risers for the tables. This reduces the chance of little hands grabbing the pretty toys and makes it easier for all the rest of us to see the models.  

To echo what ajlafleche said, get the tables up high. I don't know how many times I've seen people lean across a table to get a better look or take a picture of a model only to have their opened garment drag across a model, camera strap snag one, or purse crush one. Get them up and set up staff to police the tables and aisles. Hold parents responsible for their children. If the kid is touchy feely...hold the parent responsible.

I had to make the comment at a recent exhibit to awaken the parent as to how much it was going to cost them if junior broke the model. 

Trophies, well it is nice to win, the older I get the simpler the recognition the better. If I had my druthers, a token such as a coin is far better than a plaque. Smaller tokens are easier to display in the case with the winning model. Plaques for many just get recycled as bases for new builds. I was at an event where they gave gold silver and bronze commemorative coins as awards.

Kids though need recognition is a tangible way. Certificates and trophies are a must. Just remember they don't have to be big and expensive...and remember parents are the ones who end up lugging it around afterwards! Keep It Small but Shiney!

 

Best thing i can add is find another IPMS club near you of in state and contact them and ask if they would be willing to sponser a trophy package.