2024 IPMS/USA Nationals. July 17-21 in Madison, Wisconsin.

[seadude]

Yeah, I know it's two years away. But for us Yanks, we need to start planning NOW! 

2024 IPMS/USA Nationals
Madison, Wisconsin
July 17-20, 2024
Theme: All American Red, White, & Blue
2024 IPMS Nats website: https://nats2024.com/
Another useful link: https://forum.ipmsusa3.org/forum/87-2024-ipmsusa-national-convention/
Link that describes the new venue change. https://www.mononaterrace.com/

[seadude]

Edited original post above. Major changes!

[buzzbomb]

 

Edited original post above. Major changes!

So a date change as well ? Not ideal for my planning. The USA IPMS Nationals are on my "to do" list for a trip next year and the August dates fitted very nicely from down here in Australia. Need to relook at the new dates. Still want to make the trip though so will work it through

[seadude]

Just noticed the following this morning on the IPMS/USA Facebook group.

Depending on when you're reading this, you're either working hard to finish your entries for the San Marcos National Convention or recovering from the 105 degree weather. With the 2023 Nats about to enter the history books, it's time to start thinking about the 2024 Nats in Madison Wisconsin. Madison has a great venue with lots of space, and they're pulling out all the stops to make this a must-attend show.
Modelers that have ventured across the pond to the Scale ModelWorld show in Telford, England (essentially the IPMS UK Nationals) have long raved about the "SIG Area" - a huge collection of model displays put on by clubs and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) from across Europe that is equal parts model show and tailgate party. The models here are for display only, and group members staff the tables to talk about their interests and the models they've brought. It's a chance to see new stuff, talk directly to the people doing the work, and make a few new friends.
Over the years there has been a lot of talk about trying this at the US Nats, and the folks at Mad City IPMS are taking the plunge with a distinctly American take on this idea that we're calling a Tiger Meet. The name is inspired by the NATO Tiger Meets, where fighter squadrons from NATO countries gather to share information, show off their gaudy tiger-striped aircraft, and do a bit of socializing - it seems like a good blueprint for what we want this to be.
Display tables with chairs will be set up in a prominent space, with lots of ready access to food and drinks and space to sit and socialize. Since there aren't many active SIGs here in the states, Madison is opening the doors to all modeling related groups. While IPMS Chapters are encouraged to participate, your "group" doesn't have to be IPMS affiliated or even formally organized; it can be a social media group, a podcast and its followers, or even a single modeler with lots of models to show, and you can display just about anything modeling related (but selling things from your table is not allowed). A few ideas - feel free to think of others:

1. Traditional SIG displays - models from a particular subject area - e.g USAF aircraft, US Civil War, Gundams, etc.
2. Club Displays - IPMS Chapters and non-IPMS organizations.
3. Group and challenge builds - including builds organized by IPMS Chapters and groups on social media. Feel free to promote these on the 2024 Nationals facebook group.
4. Demonstrations of modeling techniques, e.g. 3D printing, weathering, scratchbuilding, electronics, natural metal finishes

Display tables will be available to all registered convention attendees, at no-additional charge, one-table-to-a-customer, on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you have a really big group that is interested in having multiple tables let us know and we'll see what we can do. While the space and tables will be available for the whole 4 days of the show, we only ask that groups be at their tables on Wednesday and Thursday. You're free to have your display going and the tables staffed on Friday and Saturday, we just expect some of you will want time to look at models in the contest room and shop the vendors.
Not all of the group members at the display tables have to be registered for the convention, or even IPMS/USA members, but they must pay for a day pass to enter the venue. Registered Convention attendees are free to move models to the National Contest room Friday morning to be judged that evening.
How many display tables are available will depend on the response to this announcement. The venue can provide additional space, but we're only going to do that if there are groups to fill the space. If your group is interested (or just has questions about the whole thing) please send email to Don Schmitz and Chris Cortez at clubs.nats2024@gmail.com, and let us know who you and your group are, what you're going to display (and how many models you expect to bring), and how certain you are that you can make it to the Nats. At this point this isn't binding, we're just looking for a rough idea of how many groups are interested. We'll send more details out by the end of the summer.

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Don Schmitz and Chris Cortez - 2024 Nationals Tiger Meet Guys

[NARSES2]

Interesting read.  Seems IPMS (USA) has listened to its membership.    Hope it goes well.

[seadude]

Interesting read.  Seems IPMS (USA) has listened to its membership.    Hope it goes well.

Yeah, I hope it goes well too. As much as I'd love to set up my own table and display a bunch of my what if ships, two things would at least prevent me from doing that:
1. My friend's truck doesn't have enough space in the back bed for all my model ship transport containers. So I'd be limited on what ships to take.
2. I'd hate to have to constantly stay at/near the table all the time to watch my models and answer people's questions, and then miss out on other convention/contest activities.

[NARSES2]

2. I'd hate to have to constantly stay at/near the table all the time to watch my models and answer people's questions, and then miss out on other convention/contest activities.

That's a very good point. Over here we have enough members attending to see to it that there are always two or three people behind the tables.

[seadude]

UPDATE! 
New news mission briefing with updated hotel and other information.
https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ac24d88a-08a8-47fe-961a-a53559fd3d36/IPMS-2024-Madison_Mission-Briefv2.pdf

[sandiego89]

2. I'd hate to have to constantly stay at/near the table all the time to watch my models and answer people's questions, and then miss out on other convention/contest activities.

Sometimes you just have to walk away.  I know a few car show guys that just hang out our at their own car so they can tell folks about- but never walk around.  That seems to take the enjoyment out of it.  Walk around and enjoy.   

[philp]

I am hoping Brad and others will have a What-If SIG display up.  I am hoping to put some cars on the Tom Daniels table if Joe leaves any room.  Also should be a few new SIGs with stuff.

We have had display space at other shows but it comes down to space available.  I participated in the Orange County show and one of the Phoenix shows.  Vegas had a whole room available but either it wasn't overly advertised or utilized.  Omaha and San Marcos didn't have the room.

While I don't make decisions like this for the shows I did vote to allocate the extra money for the space in Madison.  I think it is going to be a really good show and the tour to the Oshkosh Museum should be a good one.

If you make it, say hi. 

[NARSES2]

2. I'd hate to have to constantly stay at/near the table all the time to watch my models and answer people's questions, and then miss out on other convention/contest activities.

Sometimes you just have to walk away.  I know a few car show guys that just hang out our at their own car so they can tell folks about- but never walk around.  That seems to take the enjoyment out of it.  Walk around and enjoy.   

We are lucky here in the UK in that there are a lot of us and therefore you can get to wander around the show whilst others are watching the display. I totally agree you need to walk around and enjoy the show.

[seadude]

So I was just curious to ask, is anybody going to the 2024 Nationals and planning to set up a What If SIG display?
Displays and SIG information can be found here: https://nats2024.com/sig-%2F-tiger-meet

[The Rat]

So I was just curious to ask, is anybody going to the 2024 Nationals and planning to set up a What If SIG display?
Displays and SIG information can be found here: https://nats2024.com/sig-%2F-tiger-meet

About a 12 hour drive from me, I'll wait until they have it in Detroit or Buffalo.

[seadude]

So I was just curious to ask, is anybody going to the 2024 Nationals and planning to set up a What If SIG display?
Displays and SIG information can be found here: https://nats2024.com/sig-%2F-tiger-meet

About a 12 hour drive from me, I'll wait until they have it in Detroit or Buffalo.

Well, the 2025 Nationals will be in Hampton, Virginia. Closer for you or not?

[kerick]

I could be tempted to bring a few things that I've shown it smaller shows. I don't have enough for a whole table. I live 50 miles south of Chicago.