Release of Model Registration Weblink
We are releasing the weblink for the model registration for NATS ’24 on Friday, June 14. This is a significant change from what everyone is used to, but we are aligning with the efforts of IPMS USA to digitize and streamline processes within the Society overall.
Two of the early “rock stars” for this year’s Contest are IPMS members Mark Stevens and Jim Coatney. Some of you may already know them and are aware of their various talents beyond just playing with styrene. An incredible amount of time and effort went into the development of this system by Mark since late last Fall. The MadCity team tested the initial release during our March annual show, which worked as planned and combined with Jim’s awards database. Mark perfected the current system to improve it and make it a functional and easy-to-use system.
Why are we doing this? First off, you are responsible for entering your data, which will be legible after printing the form. No more guesswork for the registration team as to what you wrote. Your form will have a QR code printed on it; that QR code will be scanned when you arrive at the registration table, and it will greatly speed up the registration time by simply being scanned. Finally, the data you enter will automatically populate the database for judging, which eliminates the need for a data entry team on Friday evening.
We have instructions for everyone to reference; the weblinks are pasted below for both the instructions and registration. It is a straightforward system to use, even for the digitally challenged. However, you will need to use your IPMS USA login and password to enter the system. You will follow the instructions and enter your data for each model that you want to register. Then you will print a PDF form for each model after entering the data.
If you do not have access to a computer or forget to print your forms, then we will have Chromebooks and a printer on site that you may use to enter your models and print the forms. However, we need you to register online as soon as possible because this will assist us with the planning for the table layouts and ensure that the overall check in during the convention proceeds smoothly and quickly.
Both systems will be available for your club. They are exportable for use by other clubs for local and regional shows, and they will be used by next year’s NATS team with further upgrades and expanded functionality. The awards presentation database developed by Jim Coatney complements the registration system, which will streamline the judging process and production of the awards presentation.
Again, we understand that change is sometimes difficult, but the overall efficiencies to be gained with this new system and coupled with the awards database system, far outweigh maintaining the old “status quo”. So, do not wait – jump right in and start registering right away.