New International Point of Contact for Latin America Announced
Mariana Corrales of Buenos Aires, Argentina is the new Latin America International Point of Contact (IPOC) and is the first female to hold this role. Her home club is IDPA – TDU (C0797), and the club’s shooting range is located outside of Buenos Aires at the Asociación de Tiro y Gimnasia de Quilmes. 
The new IPOC’s Area of Responsibility is all of Latin America, including Brazil, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, Peru, Paraguay, Panama, Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Chile, and Argentina.
Mariana says of her IDPA experience, “My primary division is Carry Optics, where I am currently classified as Sharpshooter (CO SS). I also compete in Stock Service Pistol (SSP SS). I have been shooting IDPA since 2010. What attracted me initially was the combination of defensive shooting and competition, but what has kept me involved for so many years is the community. IDPA is much more than a shooting sport. It brings people together, creates friendships, and gives us a sense of belonging to one big family. No matter where you are from, there is an immediate connection with other IDPA members. That sense of community and camaraderie is what I value most about IDPA.”
She is already setting her priorities. “My main goal is to see IDPA grow throughout Latin America, with multiple active clubs in each country and a strong network of shooters, Safety Officers, and Match Directors. I would particularly like to help develop a Latin American competition circuit, with sanctioned matches in different countries. This would give our members more opportunities to compete closer to home while earning points toward major IDPA championships in the United States. I believe that by helping countries work together, supporting new clubs, developing more officials, and creating more opportunities to compete, we can build a stronger, more active, and more connected IDPA community throughout Latin America.”
She also recognizes the contribution and mentoring form her predecessor. “I would like to thank Rodrigo Carvajal for his previous service to IDPA in the region and wish him all the best.”
Corrales is looking forward to some matches in her area of responsibility. “Argentina is preparing to host its first sanctioned IDPA match in Bahía Blanca, approximately 635 kilometers from Buenos Aires. We are also working toward organizing additional sanctioned matches in Argentina, giving our shooters more opportunities to compete and earn points toward the IDPA World Championship. We are very excited about these opportunities and hope this will be the beginning of a growing sanctioned match calendar in Argentina and throughout the region.”
This Argentinean is employed as a Graphic Designer and Web Designer and her main hobby is shooting and spending time at the range, sharing the sport with friends.
Asked if she has a message for her constituents, she says, “I want IDPA members throughout Latin America to know that I am accessible and that they can contact me without hesitation. I am committed to growing IDPA in the region and, especially, to helping new clubs and new members overcome the challenges involved in developing the sport. I understand the challenges of building IDPA in Latin America, including the distances between countries, the availability of trained Safety Officers and Match Directors, and the difficulties that new clubs can face when getting started. I want to be someone who helps find solutions rather than simply pointing out problems. I don’t want to simply be a point of contact for the region. I want to be a resource for our clubs and members. My goal is for the countries in our region to work together, share experiences, support one another, and build a strong Latin American IDPA community. I am very excited about taking on this responsibility and about everything we can accomplish together.”