2016 Military Vehicle Preservation Association International Convention in California

[Major Asstyrd]

On August 11-13, 2016 the Military Vehicle Preservation Association International Convention will make it's long awaited return to the Golden State after a 13 year absence. It will take place in Pleasanton, CA at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, which is in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This indoor and outdoor show will likely feature over 200 MVs and we are trying for 300. This WILL happen with YOUR participation! All MVs welcome, any nationality or condition, in three categories: Judged, Display Only, and For Sale. No charge for Display Only MVs. Note that the MVPA judges vehicles based on standards, not directly against others at the show. This allows you to compare your vehicle to those across North America. See MVs from bicycles to tanks and even boats and helicopters. We will have 300 vendor tables indoors (air conditioned), more spaces outdoors, seminars, dinners, auction, raffle, three offsite excursions, awards banquet, MVPA meetings including Board, membership, and affiliate newsletter editors. Ladies check out the 1940s hair styling seminar and get your hair done for the Awards Banquet on Saturday night.

The event registration documents are now up on www.MVPA.org. SS members, get your vendor table reservations NOW by calling MVPA at 800-365-5798.

We are planning several special displays and here are some targets:
50 Dodges including 15 Command Cars
12 Halftracks
10 Internationals
Rare Fords
USMC vehicles
Mighty Mites
WWII British Desert Special Forces
FMC/United Defense/BAE Systems vehicles
Two PBRs and a WWII Higgins LCVP
Two helicopters

Can we do all this? YOU CAN HELP AND BE A PART OF IT!

Our Host Hotel is the Doubletree by Hilton Pleasanton at the Club which is about four miles away via city streets or freeway. Our group rate is $119 a night which is good for a hotel like this in the area in the summer. The Awards Banquet will be there Saturday evening. Great pool area for the family! A complimentary shuttle will operate between this hotel and the show. Here is our reservation page:
http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/P/PLEPCDT-MVC-20160809/index.jhtml

Other hotels are nearby. In addition we have both RV and dry camping available onsite at the fairgrounds! This info is now up on www.MVCCNews.net.

Please mark your calendars and consider making it a family vacation. There is tremendous tourism potential in this region and a long list of suggestions both military historical and civilian is up on our website now. There will be almost no chance of rain. Average high temperature is 88*F and it cools off a night to average 57*F. Humidity should be low to moderate compared to many parts of the U.S.

The Military Vehicle Collectors of California is the hosting organization working with the MVPA. We are looking for more people to help on various committees, especially the Vehicle Committee which is busiest on Wednesday which is setup day. More hands = less work. Committee members will receive a special T-shirt, parking, recognition, plus will get in early. There are committee descriptions on the MVCC member-only page on our website, or you may contact us for info. The MVCC Convention Committee Co-Chairmen are John Neuenburg at in_garage@hotmail.com or 415-847-2801 and Dave Ball at vought@msn.com or 408-805-0065.

 

[USMC0861]

I would like to speak with you about a Florida Convention in 2017. I am with an event production company in Florida and a MVPA member. We have a large venue with outdoor and indoor space. We can assist with production on all aspects of the event. Mike 866-611-0442 or mike@patriotshows.com

 

[Major Asstyrd]

We updated the original post The convention registration info is up on www.MVPA.org.

What about it SS Members? Anybody want to organize convoys to the event from the North, South, and East? A group camping discount of 20% is available in the RV or dry campsites and these are a one minute walk from our show! How about a SS Rally?

 

[Major Asstyrd]

We updated the original post to mention that camping details are up on www.MVCCNews.net. Does somebody want to organize a SS campout? How about MV convoys to the show from all points of the compass? The RV and dry campgrounds across the parking lot from our show have numbered sites and reservations can be grouped. Remember the 20% discount for five reserved at the same time.

We also published a downloadable convention flyer that you may print and hand out at parades or meets this year. Consider asking store owners to let you tape it in their window or on a bulletin board. Think hobby and model shops, hardware, auto parts, lumber, ag supply stores, truck and ag equipment dealers, military museums, military bases, VFW, American Legion, and other veteran's posts and halls. Any place with pedestrian traffic is fair game because there are a LOT of MV owners out there who are not in the organized hobby, don't see the SS website, or do not read the MV magazines. Let's tell them about our show BEFORE rather than AFTER.

 

[Major Asstyrd]

The MVPA's Supply Line magazine containing the show registration information is not even in the mailboxes yet but over 140 vendor tables and spaces are sold! It is MVPA policy to send the forms out early to the hosting affiliate club for distribution to their members, then the MVPA business members, then the vendors at some recent conventions get it. This is why the first published table layout map always shows tables and spaces that are taken. If you want to be a vendor, look at the layout map here http://www.mvpa.org/home/mvpa-convention/upcoming-convention/
and phone the MVPA office M-F 0800-1630 CST to learn what is available.

Note on the registration form that vendors do not have to be MVPA members, but with the member discount it makes it a no-brainer to be a member if two or more tables or one outdoor space is reserved. The MVPA now has a $35 electronic membership where you view the two excellent magazines online but don't receive the paper versions. Remember that vendors receive their entry badges with their table order. They don't register on the attendee part of the form.

 

[Major Asstyrd]

The California MVPA convention is building steam. Have YOU registered yourself and your military vehicle? Bought your dinner and tour tickets? 2/3 of the vendor tables have been reserved plus all but two of the 14' x 18' spaces around Building B. The Host Hotel room blocks for Tuesday and Wednesday have been sold out at our group rate. Get your hotel rooms booked ASAP or camp at the show. Stay tuned for news about a WWII "troop train" including reenactors, MVs, and vintage train on Thursday.

Go to www.mvpa.org and go to the Upcoming Convention page for details.

 

[WILDBOY6X6]

MVPA international convention

Hi all this event will also include a mock WW2 troop train, we will have some of our flat cars staged and the group will load some trucks on them. We will have a ARMY locomotive built in 1943 to pull the train.

 

[Jwade]

Its looking highly likely I will be attending this. Looking forward to meeting some of you.

 

[drivebymashing]

I also really want to go to this. I hope there is no hard feelings betwen us JWADE Im really an alright guy. Sf97s just make me cringe.

 

[Major Asstyrd]

Things are shaping up for the convention in California! Grab a cup of coffee and check out the updates below.

Someone asked about the expected weather. The Division Chaplain has written a special prayer for mild weather because we have an indoor and outdoor show. It won't rain and humidity is low compared to many parts of the U.S. Unlike most areas the temps here cycle up and down every 4-5 days due to the marine influence in the summer. We'll have a lot of tree shade and even if hot in the sun it cools down at night and it will be really nice in the morning. The four buildings are air conditioned.

Go here to get the official event info including registration form, tentative activities schedule, vendors signed so far, vendor table map, camping and hotel info, and more: http://www.mvpa.org/home/mvpa-convention/upcoming-convention/

Some updates:
If you like TANKS you'll want to attend this show. Just sayin....!

If you like BOATS you'll want to attend this show. See PBR-210 and a WWII LCVP Higgins boat that will run it's engines!

The host hotel sold out of our $119 rooms except for Saturday and Sunday but they added more last week for Thursday and Friday. Some might still be available. See MVPA website for link to our event reservation page or call Doubletree Pleasanton and use Group Code MVC. You can easily search for many other hotels in Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore.

Guests at the Doubletree hotel may take our bus shuttles that will loop between show and hotel, saving the parking fee.

I believe the three offsite excursions are all booked. Phone the MVPA.

A halftrack discussion group has replaced the Carter carburetor seminar cancelled when the presenter took a new job and can't make the show. The halftrack meeting will be 11-1pm on Friday in Bldg D.

A Vintage Clothing presentation will precede the Hair & Makeup Seminar on Saturday.

There will be both a daytime raffle and the annual MVPA Auction right after the casual dinner on Friday evening at the fairgrounds. Non-dinner guests are welcome to participate in the Auction. There are still dinner tickets available for pre-registered MVPA Members and their pre-registered Guests.

The MVPA Banquet and Awards Presentation will be at the Doubletree on Saturday and if you don't plan to eat dinner, there will be a hospitality area with bar and you are encouraged to attend the presentations after dinner. See how the vehicle judging turned out!

We are looking for some nice raffle and auction items! All donors will be recognized and the items will be on display by the Auction & Raffle Committee in the vendor building A. Please enclose a business card or info about the item and the donor. Businesses, stand up and be recognized! If you want to ship us your item, send me a note at in_garage@hotmail.com.

We are doing a "75th Anniversary of the Jeep" display with only one of each model and significant version. For example not just one GPW - we'd like an early and late script GPW, regular all-Ford GPW, a composite body version, and a 1945. If you have a good representative military jeep from prototype to the MUTT versions, please sound off before the show. We'll feature only one of each in a special line up indoors and we have a team choosing them now. Restoration quality not important, this is about showing what makes it unique.

We are also looking for all the "Military Dodges" we can get. "Rare Fords" too.

Campsites are available right across a parking lot from our gate, both RV and dry camping. Showers are nearby. Prices and other info on the website. Note you can reserve picnic tables. There will be a check-in tent at the Walnut Grove campground. Campers do not pay the ACF parking fee per day during events for their travel trailer and tow vehicle or RV and pulled vehicle.

ACF charges $10/day for parking non-MVs on show days and a multi-day pass will be available for $8/day. Again, campers don't pay that. Car hauler trailers must be stored in a special fenced lot at the fairgrounds and that is a straight $10 fee you'll pay when you drive in on show days. They don't want trailers stashed elsewhere on the grounds. If you show up on Wednesday or before, you pay the trailer fee to the Camp Host at their check-in tent at Walnut Grove dry campground.

So campers should factor the free parking into their camping budget. Will they allow you to store your car hauler trailer in your campsite? Officially no but who knows? If you arrive on show days when the parking pass sellers are at the gates they will probably charge the $10. If you arrive on set up day (Wednesday) or before, or at night on show days, the parking pass sellers will not be out at the main entrances. it would then be up to the Camp Host at Walnut Grove to enforce the trailer rule.

The show is open to the public. The only single day ticket is $10 on Saturday. A 3 day ticket will be sold Thursday for $40 and a 2 day ticket will be sold Friday. Spouses are another $5 and add children under 18 for $5 combined. This is like the MVPA pre-registration.

Please register and bring your MV! It is too late to register for the judged categories. No charge for "Display Only" and it is $50 for "For Sale." All registration info is on the website. You must be a MVPA member ($35 or $50 memberships available - you receive nice magazines!) and keep in mind a Member signing up a Guest can add the Guest's MV on the application.

 

[Another Ahab]

Hi all this event will also include a mock WW2 troop train, we will have some of our flat cars staged and the group will load some trucks on them. We will have a ARMY locomotive built in 1943 to pull the train.

Where did you all come up with THAT??!!!

 

[Major Asstyrd]

Simple. A couple of our guys rented Niles Canyon Railroad for that Thursday.

It's a photo op for anyone but not for their MVs because of the layout. Only the organizers' MVs and their reenactors are involved, plus folks who bought the $20 tickets to ride in the coach on one of two excursions down Niles Canyon.

Your MVs should go into the show on setup day which is Wednesday, or very early on show days.

 

[WILDBOY6X6]

Hi yes I am a crew member on the Niles Canyon railway, I will be there. I also may bring my M818,and the M998 that I had at the sunol Depot on Memorial day to the show.

 

[Jwade]

I also really want to go to this. I hope there is no hard feelings betwen us JWADE Im really an alright guy. Sf97s just make me cringe.

None at all, I don't take it personal brother!

 

[Another Ahab]

Hi all this event will also include a mock WW2 troop train, we will have some of our flat cars staged and the group will load some trucks on them. We will have a ARMY locomotive built in 1943 to pull the train.

Where did you all come up with THAT??!!!

Simple. A couple of our guys rented Niles Canyon Railroad for that Thursday.

Hi yes I am a crew member on the Niles Canyon railway, I will be there. I also may bring my M818,and the M998 that I had at the sunol Depot on Memorial day to the show.

Please, you got to post us a pic of that engine.

 

[Jwade]

GovPlanet had a great time at the convention! It was a pleasure to hear a lot of positive feedback! I also enjoyed some of the negative as we are always looking to improve. I want to thank the MVPA for allowing us to be as involved as we were. Looking forward to Cleveland next year.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Thanks for the key chain light and little can holder!

 

[Jwade]

Thanks for the key chain light and little can holder!

Anytime!

 

[kubotaman]

Anybody got any pictures from the show?

 

[Major Asstyrd]

There are photos on the MVPA convention Facebook page. Some will be posted on the Gallery page on www.MVCCNews.net soon as soon as club members send some to our webmaster. There will be an article in the MVPA's Supply Line magazine that goes to members and this usually features a photo of every vehicle that won an award. I doubt if photos of every vehicle will be in the magazine because we had 241 by actual count on Saturday. Maybe they will all be on www.MVPA.org. Another article will be in Military Vehicles Magazine.

It was a great show and being indoors and outdoors it looked different than most conventions. LOTS of vehicles we never see. There were 9 tanks there including an M19 Duster.