The final day of the 2025 IPMS/USA National Convention was a Saturday (9) August. After a late night helping with the contest judging, I was up early. After breakfast at the Embassy Suites, I walked over to the Hampton Roads Convention Center for the National Business Meeting. I had attended this meeting a few times before as a spectator, but this time I was a participant in my role as Director of Local Chapters (DLC). When my turn came, I stood up from the front table and briefly gave my report, which supplemented the items projected on the screen.
After the rest of the IPMS/USA e-board made their reports and the 2026 IPMS/USA National Convention chairman made his report, the floor was opened for questions. A few were made, but none came my way. This was followed the sole bid for the 2027 National Convention, which came from Huntsville, Alabama. The e-board then met in private to discuss this bid. We unanimously approved the bid, which would be announced at the banquet that night.
I spent time browsing among the models in the contest room and the vendors in the vendor room. I also spent a bit of time talking with someone wanting to bring his independent modeling group in Texas and some time with Julie. I returned to my room at the Embassy Suites to prepare for the night's events.
Early that night, I was back at the Convention Center for a happy hour prior to the banquet. After a beer and some conversation, I and the other guests entered the banquet hall. I had a seat at a table towards the front of the hall, along with other e-board members. During the dinner, the results of the model contest were projected onto screens in the hall. This was a first for an IPMS/USA National Convention and is meant to reduce the time for the awards ceremony. I noted that my IPMS/Gateway mate Rick Keasey won six awards: Two First Places, a Second, and three Thirds. I was so happy for him.
After the dinner, we had several speakers. First was Convention Chairman Tom Jett, who thanked everyone who helped out with this year's event.
Then, 2026 National Convention Chairman John Figueroa spoke. He invited everyone to Fort Wayne, Indiana for that gathering.
IPMS/USA President Phil Peterson then announced publicly that Huntsville will be the 2027 National Convention hosts.
The National Achievement Awards were announced next...by me. I announced the winners for the Regional Coordinator, Chapter, Member, Newsletter, and Website of the Year for 2024. Peterson presented the awards to those recipients who were present and accepted the awards on behalf of those who were not there. (They would receive those awards later.) The Junior class winners were then announced, followed by the Theme and Best of Awards.
Around 8:30 p.m., nearly two hours after the banquet began, the show was over. I made my way to the contest room to get my models and to say thanks and congratulations to some people I know. I personally congratulated Keasey on his wins. They included his First-Place honors for his F-4G Wild Weasel and KV-1.
I then retired to my room at the Embassy Suites, where Julie and I called it a night. We would leave Hampton the next morning and start the trip home. More on that trip in my next post.
Later.
Links to Websites Mentioned in this Post:
IPMS/USA: IPMS/USA | IPMS/USA Home Page
Hampton Roads Convention Center: Home - Hampton Roads Convention Center : Hampton Roads Convention Center
Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center: Hotel Amenities - Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center
