Tail End Charlie
IPMS USA Nationals 2025 This year's IPMS USA Nationals took place on the first weekend of August in Virginia, specifically at the Convention Center in Hampton. I would like to give readers, especially those from Europe, an idea of how such an American exhibition works, as probably no event organized in Europe lasts as long and offers such a rich program.
This year's IPMS USA Nationals took place
on the first weekend of August in Virginia,
specifically at the Convention Center in
Hampton. I would like to give readers,
especially those from Europe, an idea of
how such an American exhibition works,
as probably no event organized in Europe lasts
as long and offers such a rich program.
The whole event actually begins on Tuesday
with preparations of the premises and setting
up stands in the sales hall. However, we didn't
set up our stand until Wednesday morning,
which was better than last year when our
goods didn't arrive until Wednesday evening.
That was quite a problem, considering that
the gates for visitors open on Wednesday after
lunch. A large part of the visitors, especially
the die-hard modelers, treat this event as
a practically week-long affair. They flock
from all over the United States to pre-booked
hotels located in the immediate vicinity of the
exhibition hall and spend the whole week there
in the pleasant company of like-minded friends.
The whole event ends on Saturday evening
with the announcement of the competition
results. During the week, around 50 seminars
and workshops were held in beautifully
furnished lecture rooms. The organizers also
arrange bus trips to interesting places in
the surrounding area. This year's excursions
included the Mariners Museum, the Hampton
Roads Naval Museum, the Military Aviation
Museum, and the Nauticus Museum, which
also includes the Iowa-class battleship USS
Wisconsin. And I don't think it's even necessary
to mention the dozens of vendors who had
sales stands in the hall, which was the largest
in the post-COVID period.
This year, there were almost 3,000 models on
display, making this event one of the largest in
the world. All in all, there is simply a lot to see
and experience at IPMS Nats, and I would like
to encourage readers from the US, Europe, and
other parts of the world to attend next year's
event, as it is definitely worth it.
Another difference from events in Europe
is where IPMS will be held next year. Nats is
held in a different location every year. Member
clubs have the opportunity to present their
proposal to host Nats after two years. IPMS
USA members then vote during the event and
select the winning proposal. So now we know
that next year's Nats will take place on August
5-8 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in two years
it will be July 14-17 in Huntsville, Alabama.
On behalf of the Eduard team, I can say with
a clear conscience that we really enjoy
attending this event. It is a unique opportunity
for us to meet our customers face to face,
hear their feedback on our products, which
is mostly very positive, and feel that we are
sincerely and warmly welcomed there. Last
year, for example, a group of modelers helped
us build our booth, and this year one of our
customers, who is now also a friend, helped us
deliver our goods to the booth on time. In short,
America is full of nice and friendly people.
This year, we also organized our first raffle at
the Eduard booth. Thanks to the participants
and their enthusiastic reactions, we had a lot
of fun and will definitely repeat it next year.
We are also considering including it in our
sales booth at other exhibitions.
Finally, I would like to mention that this year
we also had a first, namely a long lecture block,
which Mr. Šulc and I split in half. He talked about
the new products in the pipeline for the coming
months, while I talked about 3D printers,
the future of 3D printing at Eduard, and the
new range of models that Eduard is preparing.
One modeler took thorough notes and then
wrote an extensive report on our lectures.
If you haven't come across it on the internet,
don't despair. During the end of summer and
during the autumn, we will continue to publish
our plans for the future that we presented at
Nats. Vladimír Šulc has already started, giving
a lecture at Velbloud competition in Pilsen.
The highlight of these presentations will take
place at E-day, where modelers will hopefully
be able to purchase the first of this new series
of kits. And that's all for today, I won't reveal
any more, but you can listen to our new podcast
with Kateřina Borecká, where you'll learn
a little more. Have a great rest of the summer!
The lucky winner of the E-2C Hawkeye box art banner from the raffle.
IPMS USA NATIONALS 2025
Text: Jakub Nademlejnský