It is with great sadness that we inform you AMPS 2020 International Convention is CANCELLED. Out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety and welfare of our convention participants (members, vendors, volunteers and attendees alike), the AMPS E_Board has unanimously decided that we must cancel our annual event.
With this said, we need to explain a bit of what has gone into this decision. AMPS Central Pennsylvania and the Show Committee has been busy planning and adjusting these plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, our initial plan was to hold our convention in early May 2020 at Camp Hill, PA. The Governor of Pennsylvania's response to COVID-19 forced us to postpone our event to late September, 2020 and move it to Danbury, CT. We were very fortunate that Northeast Military Modelers Association offered the Society their time slot and hotel where they normally hold ArmorCon.
However, the recent decision by the Governor of Connecticut to continue in Phase Two reopening for an indefinite time severely limits the number of people who can attend indoor meetings and gatherings. The Governor of Connecticut also placed quarantine restrictions on people arriving from states on the travel advisory list. This quarantine impacts the ability of potential convention attendees and vendors to participate in the event. Additionally, there are travel restrictions in place which preclude many of our international visitors from attending the convention without undergoing quarantine.
Currently, the Danbury Crown Plaza is uncertain when it will be able to reopen for business. The hotel has agreed to cancel our convention with no penalty to AMPS. Additionally, the hotel will cancel all individual reservations with no cancellation penalty if you booked a reservation using code AMP. You are responsible for canceling your reservations if you booked outside the AMPS group.
We've published a convention refund policy on the AMPS website home page. Chris Graeter, our Vendor Coordinator, will be reaching out to each vendor, and Glen Martin, our Sponsorship Coordinator, will be reaching out to each sponsor concerning refunds or carryovers to AMPS 2021. Chuck Rothman, our Webmaster, will be reaching out to those who pre-registered for the show concerning refund or carry over to AMPS 2021.
Also, we've decided to have TWO show themes ("Last Battles" and "Movin' It!") for AMPS 2021.
The show team from AMPS Central Pennsylvania worked for over two years to put on a high quality convention for 2020. They are to be congratulated for their hard work and navigating through this vey tough time. Likewise, we owe the Northeast Military Modelers Association a debt of gratitude for offering to cover down when it looked like we could not hold our show in Camp Hill, PA due to COVID-19.
We thank you for your patience and support during these trying times. We hope you recognize we have made the best possible decision for AMPS under the circumstances.
John Charvat
AMPS President
Peter Espada
Show Chari, AMPS Central Pennsylvania