This year's IPMS/USA National Convention ended on a Saturday (21 August). After a good night's sleep at Hostel Cat, I packed up my belongings and checked out before heading for the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. On my way, I stopped at a Denny's in downtown Las Vegas for a good breakfast.
Arriving at the Rio, I checked the drawn raffle numbers in the Model Room, but none of my tickets had been drawn. I also looked around the Model and Vendor rooms.
That morning, I attended the annual IPMS/USA Business Meeting in one of the seminar rooms. President John Noack presided over this meeting, which began with presentations for the next two National Conventions. Scott Hackey spoke for Omaha 2022, giving a status update. The 2022 National Convention will be held 20-23 July. Its theme is "Building the Arsenal of Democracy," highlighting US weapons and equipment built from World War II to the present. Then, Len Pilhofer gave an update on San Marcos 2023. Their group was to have hosted the 2020 National Convention, but the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled that plan. IPMS/USA decided to give San Marcos the next slot, which was in 2023. Its theme, recalling the aborted 2020 show, is "Come and Make It, Take 2: This Time for Sure." It will be held 2-5 August 2023.
Noack then updated the attendees about the state of the Society. He talked about the enhancements of the executive board (e-board) and staff and updated everyone about the operating system improvement project. This includes implementing Wild Apricot member management software into IPMS/USA operations. Noack also proposed a project for members to build models for veterans and museums. He also asked members to vote for the e-board in the election running through the middle of September.
Most of the national executive board (e-board) are present at this meeting, and they gave updates on their areas of responsibility. Overall, IPMS/USA is in good shape recovering from the pandemic.
After browsing among the contest models and vendors, I caught the first part of the National Contest Committee meeting. This included mention about possible special categories for the 2020 National Convention in Omaha, and concern about possible inflation of special sponsored awards.
I made a last visit to the Vendor Room, picking up some late bargains. Marion Morris offered to take some of my things with him, so I would not have to ship them home. I accepted his offer and got the bag with these items to his room at the Rio. I also made a last check of the raffle, but no winning tickets for me.
With the convention closing until that night's awards ceremony, I drove to a nearby Del Taco restaurant and get a late lunch/early dinner: a burrito and taco combo. It was satisfying. Then, I drove around west Las Vegas for a bit, and called my brothers to let them know how the trip was going.
Returning to the Rio early that night, I relaxed in the hallway before going to the Awards Ceremony. There was no banquet as usual at National Conventions, as the organizers figured the choices of restaurants at the hotel would give attendees a choice.
After finding my seat in the auditorium, Convention Chairman Bob Lomassaro thanked all who attended and who worked on this Convention. He said there were 2680 entries in the model contest. Lomassaro recognized Vendor Chairman Jee Porche. After John Noack spoke to the crowd, Director of Local Chapters (DLC) David Lockhart presented the National Awards for chapters. He recognized the Regional Coordinators present, along with Mark Young, the compiler of chapter newsletters for the DLC. After recognizing the 2020 winners who did not receive their awards in person because the National Convention in San Marcos was cancelled, Lockhart announced this year's honorees.
The first one--Regional Coordinator of the Year--was a major surprise for me, because Lockhart announced me as the honoree. He cited my frequent and effective communication between myself, the DLC, and the chapters in Region 14 (Mid Central), which was formed only two years ago with me as RC. When I came to the stage, Noack told me "No speech," which was good as I had no speech prepared. I posed for photos with Lockhart and the award, which I humbly and proudly accepted on behalf of the Region 14 chapters.
The rest of the National Awards were then presented, the 2023 and 2022 National Conventions were presented by their respective chairmen. Members of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds came on stage to help present the Convention Theme Awards. After those awards were handed out, Aris Papas and Bill Devins made the contest awards presentation. Categories and their sponsored were projected onto screens in the auditorium, soon followed by the top three finishers in each category. (The awards were placed by their respective models in the Model Room.)
Pappas began by recognizing the judges--which included IPMS/Gateway clubmate Jim Victor in Ships and myself in Aircraft--along with the recording team, which included another clubmate, Mike Brickman.
Two IPMS/Gateway members won awards in the contest. Rick Keasey earned six awards: Two in Figures (a First and a Second) and four in Dioramas (two Firsts and two Seconds). Jim Triola's diorama "Last Briefing: USS Hornet at Midway" won in its Diorama category, and two Special Awards: The Theme Award "Aces and Eights" (Hornet was CV-8, and the squadron on the ship was Torpedo Squadron 8), and the Popular Best of Show Award, as determined by votes from convention registrants. (My vote sent to this model.)
After the ceremony, we all went to the Model Room to pack up our models and to congratulate the winners. I also arranged for someone to take a photo of me with the Regional Coordinator of the Year.
I also helped Triola and Marion Morris move Triola's large diorama out of the Model Room and into Morris' minivan that would take them back to St. Louis. I gathered my items and got into my rental car for the trip to the airport.
My final hours in Las Vegas in my next post.
Later.
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