IPMS USA Nationals 2013 pt.1

Activity Log day one

The days were 90 degrees plus the nights were 65 degrees average. The facility was well chosen for its capacity and the convention proceeded as many have, with high anticipation.

Most don't show up the first day. And over the next 3 days a steady stream of people with entries arrived. The Convention Co-Chairman & Facilities Coordinator Mark Persichetti was working the volunteers (red shirts) bringing in additional tables right up until the deadline on Friday at 6pm. I was pre-registered and it took 30 seconds for me to go from front door to picking up my preprinted Identity badge and choosing whether to go to the model display room or one of the two very large vendor areas.

I decided to get my models out of the heat and into the air conditioned display room. On arriving at the admin tables outside of the display room I handed over my master entry master list. They gave me some stickers with my IPMS and individual entry identification number. I added them to the appropriate individual entry forms and I stepped into the display room. After placing my kits down at the corresponding category placard for the class I had chosen I began shooting some photo images.

Due to my association with Aeroscale I had many people coming up to me, introducing themselves. The first order of duty after leaving the display room, I went to the vendor's rooms and I purposely kept my hands in my pockets. For me it was important to meet and greet and collect and give out business cards. {Note to Jim Starkweather. . . Need more business cards especially when it comes to Nats.)

Very seldom do I collect review samples at Nats. Its more important to identify myself and then see if I can get a time for Mr. Starkweather or myself to meet with manufacturers or company representatives. My boon was that several reps were staying at the hotel I was at. We had breakfast and at the end of the day jumped in the heated pool with our families over the next couple of days and had time to share information.

The trick is never be a pest. Company reps get pawed at heavily during Nats and the lighter hand gets the respect. I had a nice conversation with Vladmir Suc of Eduard. He advises that for Eduard's upcoming 100th kit release we may yet see a new WWI release. The subject of this kit has been talked about in the past. Even Eduard has mentioned it in their news letters. The gents of the MLF award were all a buzz about which two types were up for selection. We also have a "Mig" kit from them that will be reviewed soon.

Activity Log day two

Woke up about 9am and had breakfast down stairs in the hotel. Residence Inn throws a good feed. Also not being a pest included bugging reps when they are at a breakfast table with their family. Got to the Convention Center about 10:30am. "How-to workshops" were in high gear. Down to the display area to take photos and hob-nob with modelers. I noted that many of the judges were already doing their pre-selections. In twos or threes they go from category to category and quietly select the "one to beat". Judging models is all about eliminations. The ones with the fewest faults or issues tends to be the ones in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place at the end. It literally goes on all day.

After noon I head for the vendors rooms and began to make personal contacts. A few of these were Eduard, Squadron, Zoukei-Mura, M&M Models, Great War Models, Fexfile, Alpha Abrasives, Lone Star and of course Roll Models! Still no purchases but lots of parlay. I tell you the Zoukei-Mura go way beyond basic models. Its large scale aircraft kits without skin. Company president Hideyuki Shigeta seemed genuinely interested in my suggestion of doing WWI subjects. Flexfile is now in the hands of the Mr. & Mrs Weber in Ontario Canada. They promise to carry on the Flexfile line with their Alpha Abrasives. The "M" of M&Models is Mary, she says that you can expect more from Pheon decals in the near future. Lone Star says that they will continue with their resin inprogress projects. They usually send us newsletters I post in "News" and keep us abreast. Great War Models is Jim Coatney ( an award winner). He is trying to bring fast shipping to the US from European manufacturers. John Roll of Roll Models was very kind. He selflessly and on his own offered review kits to me when he recognized who I was. I had several of his products eyed for purchase but saved that for day three. Then back to the display room for more photos. I met up with Kitmaker owner Mr. James Starkweather and gave him Eduard meeting time.