IPMS/USA
https://www.ipmsusa.org/
IPMS/USA is the United States Branch of the International Plastic Modelers' Society, whose roots can be traced to the startup of the first IPMS National Branch during the 1960's in Great Britain. In 1964 a US-based modeler applied for a charter to start the US Branch. In the ensuing 4 decades, IPMS/USA has become a 5,000 member, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the modeling hobby while providing a venue for modelers to share their skills in a social setting, along with friendly but spirited competition in the form of local, regional, and national contests and conventions. As this is written, there are over 220 active US chapters (including groups in Canada and the Philippines as well as one "cyber-chapter" existing entirely on the internet). These chapters are organized into 13 geographically-determined Regions, overseen by Regional Coordinators. The IPMS/USA Executive Board, made up of elected and appointed members, serves as the overall governing body for IPMS/USA.
AMPS
www.amps-armor.org/SiteMain/Main.aspx
The Armor Modeling and Preservation Society, Inc., or AMPS, was founded in July 1993. Since that time, AMPS has grown to nearly 600 members worldwide. Although AMPS's main function is as a modeling club, it is definitely a different type of modeling organization compared to IPMS or other mainstream groups. AMPS has a Constitution and Bylaws to govern how it is run, and the AMPS judging system rewards individual effort using a point system to minimize subjectivity.
The purpose of AMPS is to foster a knowledge and appreciation of the history of armored vehicles, through examination of preserved examples located in both museums and private collections, in miniature through modeling. To this end, AMPS publishes a 28-page journal called Boresight six times a year. This journal covers reviews, tips, articles on preserved vehicles, and comparisons of models and related items.
The purpose of AMPS is to foster a knowledge and appreciation of the history of armored vehicles, through examination of preserved examples located in both museums and private collections, in miniature through modeling. To this end, AMPS publishes a 28-page journal called Boresight six times a year. This journal covers reviews, tips, articles on preserved vehicles, and comparisons of models and related items.
WonderFest USA
www.wonderfest.com/
WonderFest is a weekend of hobby escape that’s held every Summer in Louisville, Kentucky USA! It features movie special effects guests, the largest model contest in the U.S. for sci-fi, horror & comics-related subjects, model and toy dealers galore, and seminars to entertain and improve hobbyists of all ages! Each of our staff has fond childhood memories of reading Famous Monsters magazine, building Aurora model kits and seeing great movies full of wonder and imagination. We'd be thrilled to share that happy experience with new generations...and older ones, too.
As the great photo below (taken at a past show by Kathy Burns) proves, kids are getting a chance...thanks to our Make-It & Take-It Workshop...that gives models and help to first-time builders!
As the great photo below (taken at a past show by Kathy Burns) proves, kids are getting a chance...thanks to our Make-It & Take-It Workshop...that gives models and help to first-time builders!
