Awards
IPMS Columbus - IPMS uses a Gold, Silver, Bronze per category system with only one of each prize given per category (per level, read on). This means that each piece in the category is judged against the other pieces in that category. In addition to the categories, they have levels for 'Master' (denoted below as MC) and 'Adult' so judging is done within the categories at each level. In addition to a Gold, Silver, or Bronze, there are special awards given for 'Best'. Traditionally these are broken up by genre (auto, airplane, armor, etc.) with the highest award being a 'Best in Show' award.
Jerseyfest, Wonderfest, and World Expo - These shows use a system where the pieces are judged against a 'standard' meaning that every piece when approached has a gold and then as the judges examine the piece points are deducted for things that are found to be judged wrong. Cleanup, assembly, paint job, and composition are all taken into account as the piece is judged. This method allows each piece to get an award in the Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Certificate (Jerseyfest does not give certificates) range. There are also 'Best' awards given at category or genre levels in these shows with the highest again being 'Best in Show'.