There's just a little over three months until the 2015 AMPS International Convention crew is hard at work coordinating vendors, seminar speakers and a few surprises cooked up by the Show Chairs and Planning Committee. AMPS will be back at the WWII Victory Museum in Auburn, Indiana.
This year's show theme is "First in Line." Any subject that represents the first version of that vehicle, a Mk. I or Ausf. A. would qualify. Questions about the theme can be directed to Mike Petty, AMPS Chief Judge at the AMPS homepage: amps-aromr.org.
The show format is similar to past shows (2008, 2010, and 2012) with a couple of exceptions. First, the model display area will be co-located with the Military Museum’s displays of vehicles uniforms and other militaria. Second, the Rotunda will be devoted to reception/registration of entrants, the raffle tables and vendors. We are hoping that the new layout will enhance the attendees AMPS experience and bring them back for the following year’s shows. Below are the show details as we have them to date.
AMPS on-line registration will officially begin January 20th.
NOTE: As a reminder, in order to register model entries, whether on-line or at the door, participants must be paid AMPS members. You can become a new member or renew AMPS membership on-line at the AMPS homepage at: amps-armor.org. Walk-in attenders will be charged an entrance fee which will allow them into the vendor area, model display section and visit the various seminar.
Vendors:
·AMMO by MIG
·Ampersand Publishing Co., Inc.
·Challenger-N-Scale
·CRM Hobbies
·David Doyle
·Dean's Hobby Stop
·Easy1 Productions
·Hobbytrax
·Horners Hobbies
·Last Calvary Historical Books & Toys
·Legends Productions-USA
·M&Models
·Masterpiece Models (J & S Technologies)
·Michigan Toy Soldier
·Micro World Games LLC
·Mig Productions USA
·Miniatures PMC-Chris Mrosko
·Panther Hobby Supply
·S&J Hobbies
·Tankvideo.com (Rich Isner)
·Thachweave Products
·Thomas Ferske-Personal model seller
·Tiger Models
·The Toolman – Billy Carr
·Unique Master Models UMM-USA
·Wanamaker Hobbies
·Wespe Models
Note: If you do not see your favorite armor vendor, let them know that we are still looking for vendors and they can contract the 2015 Vendor Coordinator via the AMPS webpage http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/conventions/showInfo.aspx?Page=Vendors&ShowID=59)
Show Events:
-AMPS Modeling Seminars. This year’s overall focus is on making better modelers and sharing/demonstrating modeling, weathering finishing and figure painting techniques. A complete list of seminar speakers will follow Speakers who have committed to seminars currently include: Adam Wilder (Wilder Products), David Youngquist (Last Cavalry Hobbies),Rob Ferriera (Vallejo Paints), Iain Hamilton (Ammo USA), and Dan Tisoncik (AMPS Master Dio Builder), with more invitations being sent out.
-AMPS AGM. AMPS General Business Meeting is an annual update of the organization by the elected officials (President, 1stand 2nd Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer) in a presentation type format. Additionally, changes to the AMPS Constitution can be addressed in this forum. The final task of the AGM is to select the theme for the next year’s convention. This is done through the nomination of possible themes from the floor and a series of votes to select the convention theme.
-Awards Ceremony. Final “official” event at an AMPS Convention. Medals, any Special awards, and the AMPS“Best of” Awards are presented to the entrants by the AMPS President and Show Chair. The next year’s theme and location is announced at the conclusion of the Award Ceremony.
The 2015 International Convention Schedule of events, locations (on-site activities) and times might change as we get closer to the show.
Thursday, 30 April
8:00 AM Venue set up Museum/Rotunda/Theaters
9:00 AM AMPS U South Theater
12:00 PM Vendor set up Rotunda
3:00 PM AMPS U concludes South Theater
4:00 PM Pre-Show Meeting/Walkthrough North Theater
5:00 PM ACJ Meeting North Theater
5:30 PM Vendor room opens Rotunda
6:00 PM Show Opens Museum
6:30 PM Table Captain Certification Training North Theater/Bingo Parlor
6:30 PM Judges Certification Training North Theater
7:30 PM Venue Closes (Vendor room & Ramrod Station) Museum
7:30 PM AMPS Swap Meet & Ice Breaker Museum/Bingo Parlor
9:30 PM Museum Closes Museum
Friday, 1 May
8:00 AM Field Judges Meeting North Theater
09:00 AM Venue Opens Museum
5:30 PM Show Closes Museum
6:30 PM AMPS Annual General Meeting North Theater
8:00 PM AMPS Chicagoland Bash Auburn QI Hotel Lobby
Saturday 2 May
8:30 AM Venue opens Museum
12:00 PM Model Entry Closes Museum
2:30 PM Best of Judging South Theater
3:30 PM Vendor Area Closes Rotunda
5:30 PM Awards Ceremony Rotunda
7:00 PM Venue Clean-up Museum/Theater/Rotunda
The Judging and Seminar Schedules for 30 April-2 May will be published later.
The AMPS 2015 Show committee and supporting staff sincerely hope to see many of you at the Convention in April/May.
Although, periodic show updates will go out to the various model sites from time to time, visit the AMPS website at amps-armor.org for pre-registration, new and renewal membership inforemation along with hotel and museum information.
Cheers!
Chuck Willis
