January 16, 2023
2023 MVPA-HA International Convention - Des Moines, Iowa, 15-17 JUNE 2023
UPDATE, 26 December 2022: MVPA-HA ANNOUNCES TWO NEW MILITARY DISPLAY CLASSES AT 2023 DES MOINES, IOWA, INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
The Military Vehicle Preservation Association HistoricalArchives (MVPA-HA) recently announced it has added two new display categories for military-themed vehicles to be highlighted at its International Convention to be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, on 14-17 June 2023.
“We encourage anyone who has a military vehicle to consider showing them at our annual convention. Therefore, we have created two new display class for the MVPA-HA National Convention, 14-17 June 2023 in DesMoines, Iowa. These new categories are meant to showcase vehicles that are not judged for their conformity, but rather, for their owner’s creativity,” said Convention Chairperson, Bill Scott.
Judging Chairperson, Michael Wright explained, “The MVPA wants to welcome all owners of military or tribute vehicles that fall outside the traditional vehicle displays seen in past conventions. These categories are intended to encourage owners to display what they own, even if they are not current MVPA members.”
The two new classes added to the Display Category are “Modified Military Vehicles” and “Military Tribute.” Modified Military Class is for military vehicles that have been modified with singular or numerous additions or deletions but still have a military body and frame, or portions of both. Vehicles will not be judged on military specifications, but rather:
*Paint quality – any color,
*Proper markings, and
*Public appeal.
The Military Tribute Class is for non-military vehicles that pay tribute to our military heritage. It may b eany vehicle that was not originally military, but by its paint, markings, body style, or other alterations, pays tribute to our military heritage. The vehicle will not be judged on military specifications, but, rather on:
* Efforts to portray military heritage,
*Paint Quality,
*Realistic markings, and
*Crowd appeal.
All convention attendees on Thursday of the convention will receive a ballot to select a winner in the MilitaryTribute class. The military Tribute vehicles will be judged by the Hagerty judging group Winners will receive a plaque of recognition.
Entrants in these two classes need not be current MVPA members. A $15 fee will be charged to display a vehicle either of these two classes.
For more information on the MVPA’s 2023 International Convention and its activities to preserve, restore, drive, and collect historic military vehicles, contact:
Headquarters, MVPA
P.O. Box 520378
Independence, Missouri 64052
816.833.6872
hq@MVPA.org
UPDATE, 20 DECEMBER 2022: We’re in the planning stages for the 2023 MVPA-HA Convention to be held on June 15-17 at the Iowa StateFairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. I want to bring you up to date on some highlights.We plan for this convention to be more interactive than some in the past. And because the fairground allows it, we will be taking vehicles out of the convention center for a daily parade.
YOU can find all the vendor and participant registration material HERE.
Or, click the links below for details on tours, Convention schedule, vendor and Iowa State Fairground maps, and most importantly, the REGISTRATION FORM.
For your personal safety, we are asking you download the form, complete it and either mail or call Headquarters with your payment information. Thank you--we realize this an inconvenience, but we believe it is the safest way to protect YOU.
SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO: HQ@MVPA.org
Welcome & Tour Info
2023 Convention Schedule
Fairground & Vendor Maps
2023 REGISTRATION FORM
DOWNLOAD AND SEND REGISTRATION FORM TO: HQ@MVPA.org
Vendor tables are priced at $75.00 per table. For those of you who pay in full at the time of reservation, you will be able to get a full refund if you inform us of your cancellation at least 90 days before the convention. You can also pay half down with your reservation(non-refundable) and pay the remainder 90 days before the event.
Don't wait, though! Vendor spots and hotel rooms are filling up fast!
— Bill Scott, Event Director
eventdirector@MVPA.org or 502-649-6675
UPDATE, 20 September 2022: We’re in the planning stages for the 2023 MVPA Convention to be held on June 15-17 at the Iowa StateFairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. I want to bring you up to date on some highlights.We plan for this convention to be more interactive than some in the past. And because the fairground allows it, we will be taking vehicles out of the convention center for a daily parade.
We will also be having seminars and demonstrations throughout the days.We will be having tours to the Gold Star Military Museum, John WayneBirthplace and Museum, Boone Valley Scenic Railroad, and a continuous running shuttle to downtown Des Monies stopping at historic places and shopping places.
We’re adding a new class for judged vehicles this year. This will be the Modified Military Vehicle Class. Entrants must have a military vehicle chassis and body, but any customizations are welcome. We hope this will encourage more people to come to the convention and share their passion. We want to expand our outreach to potential new members and welcome all who enjoy military vehicles — in whatever way they do it. You might know of people who may have modified vehicles and felt that they wouldn’t fit in. Reach out and invite them!
We will also be having seminars on half-tracks, front end alignments on Jeeps and vehicle maintenance by Les Fisher, a military radio demonstration by Charlie Ricketts, and there are plans for some nice armor displays.The food services will be greatly improved with multiple vendors and a dining area.The convention hall is huge. Half of it will be vehicles, and the other half vendors.
Though the floor plan is not yet finished, the aisles will be large enough for vendors to drive pickups and cars to their tables for setup and teardown. Carts and a forklift will be available at no charge.Parking is free, and we will have electric scooters available to rent. Vendor tables are priced at $75.00 per table.
For those of you who pay in full at the time of reservation, you will be able to get a full refund if you inform us of your cancellation at least 90days before the convention. You can also pay half down with your reservation(non-refundable) and pay the remainder 90 days before the event.
— Bill Scott, Event Director
eventdirector@MVPA.org or 502-649-6675
