By Martin J Quinn
 
From August 6th through 9th, the IPMS/USA National Convention - AKA, "The Nats" - was held in beautiful Virginia Beach, Virginia, site of a recent Regional convention, with the Doubletree Hotel as the main venue for sleeping and storing recently purchased models.

I made the drive down with fellow NJ/IPMS'er Joe Smith, the ride taking about 8 1/2 hours.   Along the way - at Bill Schwarz' suggestion - we stopped at the fishing pier on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and snapped these pictures:
 

Not surprisingly, there were plenty of models (over 2,500!) on the tables, lots of vendors and lots of other stuff to do.   As expected, many NJ/IPMS members were in attendance.   Congratulations to Devin Poore, Bill Schwarz, Ron Dobrzelecki, Mike O'Conner & Steve Zajac, all of whom took home awards.

So, join us now, as we relive those thrilling days of yesteryear (ok, this past August) and travel back to modeling heaven, IPMS style...
 
    Photos by Martin J Quinn
and Joseph F Smith