Start Your Engines…

HISTORY IS ABOUT TO GO IN MOTION

Some people see the relationship between Military Vehicles Magazine (MVM) and the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) as that of competitors. Nothing in the 18 years that Krause Publications / F+W Media have published MVM could be further from the truth. So, with that fair warning, I am about to embark on an unabashed endorsement of the upcoming MVPA Convention in York, Pennsylvania, this coming August 8-10.

NOBODY LIKES CHANGE

When the Chet Krause bought Military Vehicles Magazine back around 2000, many people were very vocal about how it would be the demise of the magazine — and perhaps, the hobby. The same was said (and decried by many of the same people) when F+W Media purchased Chet’s entire publishing empire (including MVM) a few years later.

Despite a few people spreading rumors packed with all the “negative vibes,” the magazine soldiered on. Sure, it has had to adapt to a new world of information-sharing which has seen page counts drop, classifieds disappear, social media — including this weekly newsletter— as well as changes in collector tastes, but it has remained a constant source of hobby news, technical advice, historical interpretation, and human interest stories through all those years.

Regardless, the “nay-sayers” aren’t silenced. Some people, I guess, can only feel validated as individuals if someone listens to their persistent complaints.

I recognized this ugly behavior while reviewing a recent show where I was able to talk and listen to a lot of folks involved in our hobby. Besides the usual round of concerns that include the “health of the magazine,” “we need to get young people involved,” and “buying surplus vehicles isn’t like the old days of the DRMO (Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office – later changed to Disposition Services. Military Property Turn-In: DLA Disposition Services), I heard several talking about the upcoming MVPA Convention to be held in York, Penn., on August 8-10, 2019.

How could anyone find something to complain about the culminating event of the military vehicle hobby in North America? Well, you would be surprised! Through the years that I have been involved, the most common complaints have been: location, time of year, cost, and lack of activities. I have witnessed several MVPA Boards of Directors struggle to address all of these concerns. The location of the Annual MVPA Convention moves around the country to give people across the nation the easiest opportunity to attend as possible. The same has been done with the time of the year (albeit, the conventions are all held in the least snow-filled or stormy times of the years).

Decrying the cost of a convention has been a funny reaction that I don’t think I will ever understand. In our hobby, someone who might spend tens of thousands of dollars to acquire and restore a vehicle, will balk and run around like Chicken Little if they are asked to pay a $25 fee to display their vehicle at a sanctioned event.

While that does appear to be absurd, let me assure you, there is a very loud, vocal small group who are complaining about this very thing in relation to the York Convention. So, please permit me to give you a bit of context.

The past few conventions have charged members $30 each to attend. That fee helped to offset the cost of rent of the facilities, support staff, promotions, special events, and insurance among many other things. As part of their payment, that individual was invited to display their vehicle(s), free of charge. Not a bad deal for $30 bucks!

Well, just like any other business these days, the Board of Directors of the MVPA has examined the costs and revenue of past convention. And like so many other businesses, they decided the old model was due for a bit of change.

Oh, how some don’t like change! So much so, these days, some people’s outrage about any change often blocks their ability to evaluate whether the change is “good,” “bad, or “indifferent.”

What about the changes that will be enacted at York that have caused some to go around bad-mouthing the MVPA?

First, EVERY MVPA member is invited to attend the Convention at York FOR FREE. Of course, they will have to pay for some extras like the tours or award ceremonies, but if they just want to go to York, look at vehicles, see the parades and living history displays, and buy from vendors, it will cost NOTHING. Heck, this should provide an incentive for non-members to join or current members to renew.

But here is what is sticking in some peoples’ craw: If a member wants to display a vehicle, it is going to cost them $15. Did I mention, each member who displays a vehicle will receive a FREE MVPA Convention t-shirt (non-displayers can buy them for $20)?

LET’S DO THE MATH

I know I write too dang much. So let’s just check the math:

Cost to attend past MVPA Conventions w/one vehicle:
* MVPA member to enter Convention: 30.00
* MVPA member to display 1 vehicle: 0.00
* Convention T-Shirt for vehicle displayer (optional): 20.00
TOTAL for MVPA Member w/one vehicle 30.00 (50.00 w/t-shirt)

Attending the 2019 MVPA Convention in York, Penn. w/one vehicle:
* MVPA member to enter Convention: 0.00
* MVPA member to display 1 vehicle: 15.00
* Convention T-Shirt for vehicle displayer: 0.00
TOTAL for MVPA Member w/one vehicle 15.00 (includes t-shirt)

That appears pretty straight-forward. But, the MVPA knows its audience and we are collectors! Many of us don’t just stop at one of anything. Therefore, the MVPA Convention crew has made arrangements for displayers of multiple vehicles:

Cost to attend the 2019 MVPA Convention in York, Penn. w/multiple vehicles:
* MVPA member to enter Convention: 0.00
* MVPA member display 1-3 vehicles, indoor: 15.00 ea; 45.00 max.
* MVPA member display 4 or more, indoor: 50.00 flat fee
* MVPA member display 1-3 vehicles, outdoor: 10.00 ea; 30.00 max.
* MVPA member display 4 or more, outdoor: 35.00 flat fee
* Convention T-Shirt for vehicle displayer (up to 4): 0.00
MAX TOTAL for MVPA Member w/multiple vehicles 50.00

That’s right: No matter how many vehicles you bring, the most it will cost you is $50 — and you will get up to 4 free t-shirts ($80 value). Can it be any simpler?

The cost to attend this year— at most — is the same as any Convention in the last five years. For most of us, though, it will be CHEAPER to attend the York Convention than in the past.

COMPLAINERS: WHAT’S A PERSON TO DO?

During the last few years, I have read a lot about how to constructively discuss different points of views with people who don’t hold the same. It is tough. I admit it, I tend to be pragmatic — when it comes to mathematical evidence, I feel the argument just ends. Numbers don’t lie or have agendas. Numbers are just numbers.

But, you and I both know, logic, “alternative facts,” and common sense are all at odds these days. So what can we do?

So, I have just one suggestion: Make your plans to attend to the MVPA Convention in York, Penn., this August 8-10. The itinerary is beyond anything we have ever seen at a convention. Following the rebranding of their magazine, The MVPA is really promising some “History in Motion.”

After years of rather static conventions, York will see many vehicles in action at the WWII battle reenactments, truck pull, slow race, and the kick-off and pass in review of the Lincoln Highway Convoy (TMC19) participants. And for all of you “keep ‘em rolling” types, for the first time ever, the MVPA and members of the internet forum, Steel Soldiers, are combining forces to host an off-road trail ride rally at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.

Added to this is a wide array of hands-on Vehicle Special Interest Group gatherings, historic site tours, and special banquets. This is all on top of the vendor booths, static vehicle displays, and opportunities to meet with fellow enthusiasts.

So, yes, the MVPA Convention has changed. And change is scary. But, I hope you see how this change is for the health and enjoyment of our great hobby.

So, let’s put our history in motion in York to keep ‘em rolling,

John Adams-Graf

Editor, Military Vehicles Magazine and Military Trader

To register or learn more about the 2019 MVPA Convention in York, Penn., log onto www.MVPA.org/convention or call MVPA Headquarters at (816) 833-6872.

(You can join or renew your membership via either path, as well!)