News

For those ready to dive into the 2026 IPMS/USA National Convention, pre-registration will open March 1.

Early registration will include your $65 convention fee as well as options for ordering t-shirts and pins. Paid seminars and tours should also be finalized and available at that time to be included with your registration payment. More information about registering models for the contest will also be posted for those looking to start that process early.

Pre-registration will end June 30, but that doesn't mean you can't still attend. Walk-in registration will be available the…

For those wanting to know where their model will fit in the contest, you will have your answer in early February.

The National Contest Committee will have the list of categories and the criteria for each by February 15. As soon as those are ready, we will have them posted in the Contest area of this site.

We look forward to seeing what you have to put on the table and giving you a chance to mingle with fellow modelers from around the country and around the world.

Today, I want to introduce you to one of Nora’s and my favorite hangouts. Well, it’s actually three separate venues under a single roof: The Clyde Theater, The Club Room at the Clyde, and the Crescendo Coffee shop. The Clyde, located at 1806 Bluffton Road, is a short seven-minute (2.6 mile) drive from the convention center.

The Clyde Theater stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural and entertainment…

I hope you are all well and in good spirits.

Wow, it looks like you guys like hearing about places to eat! I will highlight many other places to grab a bite in future posts, including some of Nora's and my favorites. However, now I want to tell you about what’s available at Promenade Park.

Promenade Park is a short five-block, ten-minute walk from the convention center and is nestled along the beautiful banks…

Good morning. I hope you and your families are well and in good spirits.

Today I’d like to present an argument as to why you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Fort Wayne Zoo (formerly the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo), a premier family destination in northeast Indiana.

Consistently ranked among the nation's top zoos for families, this beloved attraction offers far more than just a glimpse of exotic…

Good afternoon, today I’m going to talk to you about our Fort Wayne community and one of the key benefactors that is having a lasting influence on our community: Sweetwater Sound.

Sweetwater Sound is more than a business in Fort Wayne, its presence and leadership have transformed our town and the way we see the musical arts. If you are a musician, Sweetwater needs no introduction. However, for people like me (I love music, but I can barely clap my hands), here is the low down.

Live music plays a vital role in shaping the cultural identity and vibrancy of Fort Wayne. As a city…

Today I’d like to tell you about another Fort Wayne institution: Hyde Brothers Books.

When I was in the Navy (gosh, that seems like a whole other lifetime ago), I was stationed at the Fleet Training Group in San Diego. We were responsible for training all U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet ships and all Pacific Area U.S. Coast Guard cutters and boats. We traveled up and down the west coast. One of my favorite trips was when they would send us to Seattle to train the USCG cutters. Not only was there a coffee cart on every street corner, but when you were downtown, you couldn’t walk more than a…

Today I'd like to introduce you to the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Museum, one of my favorite places in or around Fort Wayne.

In my humble opinion, the distinctive magic of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Museum cannot be overstated.

Nora and I are “museum people”; that’s what we love. On our first trip to the ACD Museum (during our first expedition to our future hometown of Fort Wayne in 2021), we were not expecting much. We went up to Auburn, about 30 minutes north of the Grand Wayne Convention Center, to see what we thought would be a hand-full of nice cars.

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The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne is a pillar of family history research in America. Only one block from the Grand Wayne Convention Center, the Genealogy Center stands as one of the premier destinations for family history research in the United States.

Known for its comprehensive resources, expert staff, and commitment to accessibility, the Genealogy Center attracts thousands of visitors each year, from amateur genealogists just beginning their family trees, to seasoned researchers tracing centuries-old lineages.

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The first step to your 2026 IPMS/USA Convention adventure is having a place to stay.

There are still rooms available at Courtyard by Marriott (about 15, more on some days) and The Bradley (14). The Hilton and Hampton Inn rooms are sold out.

Information regarding the hotels can be found on our Hotels page.

Questions regarding the Hotels and the reservation process may be addressed to: 2026_chair@ipmsusa.org.

We look forward to seeing you in Fort Wayne.