Greetings fellow armor modelers;
The AMPS 2024 show team is busy again preparing for a spectacular convention weekend, filled with great models, great vendors (see below), great friends and comrades. As most may know, the AMPS 2024 convention will be held in South Bend, Indiana, April 11-13, 2024 at the Century Center, 120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana. There are less than 170 days before the Midwest is deluged with armor and all kind of armor modeling geeks. AMPS has completed its 2024 show logo, so, if you didn’t start building, what are you waiting for?
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Vendor Surprise:
Vendor tables for next April’s show are being snapped up at an unprecedented rate, 88 of 100 tables are already sold! Below is the current list of vendors committed to attending the show:
Black Widow Model Disposal
Boomer Books & Empire Hobbies
Custom Dioramics
David Doyle Books
Frank Rincon
Graeter Woodworking
Horner Hobbies
HQ 72
Last Cavalry
MicroWorld Games LLC
Scale Colors
S&J Hobbies
Spray Gunner
UMM-USA
Vargas Scale Models
Wanamaker Hobbies
For those vendors on the fence as to whether they will attend, tables are going fast, so if you want in on the biggest armor show of 2024, contact AMPS vendor coordinator Chris Graeter via the AMPS homepage (amps-armor.org) IMMEDIATELY! For those attending the show, bring plenty of money, since you won’t be bringing any home with this vendor lineup.
Convention Site Reminder:
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The large space where the AMPS AGM will be held on Friday along with some seminars provides great lighting and very comfortable seating.
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The main hall where the model entries will be on display along with vendors provides plenty of room and great lighting, so no bumping elbows at this convention.
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The spacious hallways surrounding the main hall provides plenty of room to hang out with friends and fondle newly acquired kits and aftermarket items.
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Just outside the Convention Hall the show will have food and drinks concessions available. This will provide plenty of seating to eat and drink (including adult beverages), socialize with fellow tread heads, and fondle the haul bought in the vendor room.
Note on Parking:
Show parking at the venue is at the lot just south of the venue at $5 per day. There is a free parking deck one block south of the venue, across the street. Parking for the Doubletree hotel has been negotiated down to $5 per day as well. Courtyard by Marriott parking is at the free parking deck one block south of the hotel (same deck mentioned for the venue).
Convention Items to Note:
Hotel Reservations: With the holiday season arriving rapidly, now would be a great time to make those hotel reservations for the show before you get too busy. The links to both hotels are on the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) and is user friendly to make reservations quick and easy. Both hotels are at the heart of the convention action, so secure your room now before they’re all gone.
Volunteers for Judging: It’s no secret that AMPS always needs judges to review and judge and score every entry while keeping the show moving. As you know, AMPS is an all-volunteer society with plenty of jobs to do to host a great show. When the AMPS Chief Judge posts sign-up sheets for judging slots on the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org), seriously consider taking a pair of shifts or more.
On-line Judges Training: If you’ve never judged at an AMPS convention, fear not! The AMPS homepage contains AMPS Judging modules that you can review in the comfort of your own bunker. The power point slides will walk you through all you need to know and do during a judging shift. Judging is an excellent opportunity to see entries up close, understand how the AMPS judging system works first hand, and directly support the show through volunteering your time.
Keep your eye on the AMPS homepage and Facebook page for current convention news and information.
Till the next AMPS 2024 show announcement,
model on!
chuck