The key to going to the contests sounds simple but always doesn't take place: go and have fun!
I recall helping at one show many years ago. One guy had brought in the old 1/48 B-17G and B-24J bombers from Monogram. They were clearly his pride and joy but it was also clear he was very novice builder/painter. At this show, during the awards presentation, all 1-2-3 awards were announced (rather than being placed by the models like some shows do). When the 1/48 multi engine category came and went and this guy got no awards, he began fuming. He angrily grabbed his boxes, made a big deal of packing his planes up and stormed off while the rest of the awards were going on.
Frankly, he suffered the same self-delusion that is highlighted in American Idol auditions -- "I'm wonderful and can do no wrong and everyone will know it!" I just had to shake my head -- if he'd really just opened up his eyes and looked at the other models and/or asked how others built to a higher skill level, I think he'd really enjoyed himself. As is, his lack of awards ruined his day -- but he was destined to fail.
Congrats on the wins and the haul!