Way to go Kim, you have really given your career a boost, I think, by taking this route. You are going to go far.
I've never entered a competition, but this post aroused my curiosity, so I did a little research on upcoming competitions that looked interesting. I may enter this one this year with the National Portrait Gallery:
http://www.portraitcompetition.si.edu/about/about.html
You can apply online (submit JPEG's) for only $25 and if selected as a semi-finalist, they will completely cover shipping and insurance. I wrote to them to inquire about shipping details if selected and the prompt reply was that professional art handlers would pack and ship the piece from your residence/studio (at their expense) and insure it from the time the piece is picked up until it is dropped off. I don't know if that is standard procedure, but it certainly is appreciated. The piece I am thinking of entering weighs over 110 pounds and is breakable.
I'm sure competition would be stiff, but I would be honored just to be among the 60 or so finalists and have a piece displayed in a prominent Washington DC gallery for 6 months. Can't buy that kind of publicity for $25! I wouldn't expect to win any $$, but that would sure be a nice surprise. Have any of you ever entered this competition? If so, what was your experience?