SPA Modeler

JimD wrote:Wait...wat? You have to be an IPMS member to get into nationals?

Not in the Netherlands....

No, Jim, you don't have to be a member to go to the Nats. (they sell general admission tickets for people that walk in off the street, after all)

But, you do have to be a member to enter any models in the Nats. (so, your thought was right)

The insurance for events is the biggest benefit of clubs belonging to IPMS . It is a thing that people don't think about in their planning until they get close to the stage of finding a venue. But, I only know about here in the US, I don't know the requirements in any other country.

"if I go"

Does that mean that there is a chance we might me each other in South Carolina?

That would be cool.

JimD wrote:Wait...wat? You have to be an IPMS member to get into nationals?

As Rex said, you can get in to see everything, but membership in the National organization is required to enter the contest.

I also would love to meet you at a Nationals too someday, but I won't be going to one again until five to seven years from now. By then, they may deign to put it on the West Coast again.

dmminiatures wrote:Guys,.. thank you for the insight. extremely valuable. it also show how one area is different in their nature with another, and that its not a cookie cutter experience for everyone or every club.

A very good thread and discussion. I really like the crowd sourcing here! I will share the thoughts with my club.

No they do not. As pointed out, clubs and chapters of larger organizations are reflections of their members. The IPMS chapter where Mark and I are members really epitomizes the best end of the spectrum. Very much the opposite of what Jim dealt with. We have some folks who are also members of a nearby chapter that was not so great. That chapter imploded at the end of the summer. But those members who still want to have a chapter there are rebuilding from the old chapter. A perfect example of in the end, good members will make for a good club, no matter what organization and format you choose.

RexCag wrote: But, you do have to be a member to enter any models in the Nats. (so, your thought was right .)

This differs from the Netherlands ( and I think Belgium. Do not know of others). Overhere even the Nationals are in a "open" format. So anyone can enter.