AMPS is all about armor modeling and the preservation of armor and mechanized heritage.

AMPS 2024 International Convention
Thu Apr 11, 2024 to Sat Apr 13, 2024
Century Center, 120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

  

Time Left to Finish Your Models:

   Sponsors    Show Theme    Latest News    Schedule    Seminars    Directions    Fees   

Previous International Show Results

AMPS 2023 International Convention
May 4, 2023 to May 6, 2023, Penn Harris Hotel, Camp Hill, PA AMPS 2022 International Convention
Apr 7, 2022 to Apr 9, 2022, Marriott at City Center, Newport News, VA AMPS 2021 International Convention
Apr 29, 2021 to May 1, 2021, Marriott at City Center, Newport News, VA AMPS 2020 International Convention
Sep 24, 2020 to Sep 26, 2020, Crowne Plaza Danbury, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury CT. AMPS 2019 International Convention
May 9, 2019 to May 11, 2019, Buffalo Grand Hotel (formerly the Adam's Mark Hotel), Buffalo, NY AMPS 2018 International Convention
May 3, 2018 to May 5, 2018, Hope Hotel and Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center, Dayton, OH AMPS 2017 International Convention
Apr 20, 2017 to Apr 22, 2017, Crowne Plaza Danbury Hotel, Danbury, CT AMPS 2016 International Convention
Apr 7, 2016 to Apr 9, 2016, Sumter, South Carolina AMPS 2015 International Convention
Apr 30, 2015 to May 2, 2015, WW2 Victory Museum, Auburn IN AMPS 2014 International Convention
Apr 3, 2014 to Apr 5, 2014, Fredericksburg, Virginia AMPS 2013 International Convention
Apr 18, 2013 to Apr 20, 2013, Atlanta Marriott Century Center, Atlanta, Georgia AMPS 2012 International Convention
Apr 26, 2012 to Apr 28, 2012, WW2 Victory Museum, Auburn IN AMPS 2011 International Convention
Apr 6, 2011 to Apr 9, 2011, Fredericksburg, Virginia AMPS 2010 International Convention
Apr 22, 2010 to Apr 24, 2010, WW2 Victory Museum, Auburn, IN AMPS 2009 International Convention
Apr 17, 2009 to Apr 18, 2009, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 2008 International Convention
Apr 10, 2008 to Apr 12, 2008, WW2 Victory Museum, Auburn, IN AMPS 2007 International Convention
Apr 19, 2007 to Apr 21, 2007, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 2006 International Convention
Apr 28, 2006 to Apr 29, 2006, World War II Military Vehicle Museum, Hubbard, Ohio AMPS 2005 International Convention
Apr 15, 2005 to Apr 16, 2005, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 2004 International Convention
Apr 16, 2004 to Apr 17, 2004, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 2003 International Convention
Apr 11, 2003 to Apr 12, 2003, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 2002 International Convention
Apr 19, 2002 to Apr 20, 2002, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 2001 International Convention
Apr 20, 2001 to Apr 21, 2001, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 2000 International Convention
Apr 14, 2000 to Apr 15, 2000, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 99 International Convention
Apr 16, 1999 to Apr 17, 1999, Havre de Grace, Maryland AMPS 98 International Convention
Apr 17, 1998 to Apr 18, 1998, Havre de Grace, Maryland

AMPS 2024 International Convention 

Show News

See Older News »

Show Sponsors

The AMPS International Show could not take place without the generous support of these and other sponsors.

Microworld Games LLC

MiniArt

David Doyle Books

Custom Dioramics

Plastic Model Store Ukraine

Wanamaker Hobbies / Hobby Link

ICM

Hudson & Allen Studio
View All Sponsors »
 

 Show Schedule

 Seminars

 This Year's Show Theme

The theme for the 2024 AMPS convention is “1944”, as voted on by AMPS members at the 2023 convention. In 1944 the world was at war and armor units played a huge part in the titanic struggles that were occurring all over Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. From the steppes of Russia, the hills in Italy, to the far off shores of tropic Islands, mechanized battles raged that would change the course of World War II and tighten the noose around the axis powers. Some examples of battles from 1944 are (but are not limited to) the Normandy landings, Operation Overlord, Operation Dragoon, the Battle of Anzio, Operation Bagration, battle of Monte Casino, battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian, Battle of Guam, and the battle of Peleliu. 

To be eligible for the theme award at the South Bend AMPS convention it must fall this defined criteria. The criteria are any armor vehicle or soft skin vehicle entry in any category, other than figures, that can be documented as representing a specific vehicle that fought during the year of 1944.  The entry MUST be accompanied by a photo(s) and at least one reference that documents the vehicle’s participation in a specific battle during 1944. It must have both the photo(s) and the reference or it will not meet the criteria for the theme award. The reference must meet the standards contained in the AMPS contest rules for judging. The theme award is only open to intermediate and advanced skill levels. 

 AMPS Judging Principles

AMPS created a unique system to both judge the model and honor the modeler for artistic achievement and historical accuracy. It is a peer evaluation and mentoring and not a performance critique by experts. The system groups modelers that have similar skill levels and talents and rates the model in relation to the ability of the modeler rather than against the work of another modeler. The skill levels are Junior, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Master.

Each model is reviewed and evaluated on its own merits and never compared to another one. Established criteria determine the scoring of the model and qualify the modeler for Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Each model is judged by a team of judges that score the model independently and the lowest score among the team is dropped. Constructive feedback is provided that sets a path to becoming a better, more skilled modeler.

Read more about the AMPS judging principles here.

 Entry Fees

Contest Registration Fees

Current Adult AMPS Members:
$45.00  USD for 1 to 1,000 model entries.
Renewing Adult AMPS Members:
(you must have an AMPS member ID to qualify)
$65.00  USD for one year AMPS Membership Renewal and Show Registration with 1 to  1,000 models entries.
New Adult AMPS Members:
$65.00  USD for a new one year AMPS Membership and Show Registration with 1 to  1,000 models entries.
Junior Modelers:
(AMPS Membership is not required)
$35.00 USD for all model entries.
$45.00 USD for a new or renewed one year AMPS Membership and all model entries.

Walk-in Fees:

(non-contestant)
Adult:
$15.00 USD.
Family:
$25.00 USD.
Youth:
$10.00 USD.
Child:
Must be accompanied by an adult
No charge USD.

 Directions

The show will be held at the Century Center, 120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601. 

We have secured special room rates at two nearby hotels:

  1. Doubletree by Hilton - this hotel is located across the street from the conference center and is connected to it via an enclosed bridge. The room rate is $149 per night, plus tax. There is also a special parking rate of $5 per day.  To book using these special rates, click on this link.

  2. Courtyard by Marriott - this hotel is just steps across the street from the Century Center. The special AMPS room rate is $159 per night, plus tax. To book using this special rate, click on this link. Note that parking is extra ($39 per day at the hotel, $10 per day offsite).

 

 

 Raffle Donors

 Other Hotels

 

 Local Attractions

We received a brochure from Visit South Bend.com listing lots of places to eat around the convention center.  Click here to download it.