Registration is now open for the 2026 AMIS conference at the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, to be held May 27 – 30, 2026.
- National Music Museum
- Dec 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 23
The American Musical Instrument Society is the preeminent society promoting all aspects of the history, design, construction, restoration, and usage of musical instruments in all cultures and from all periods. The AMIS annual conference rotates throughout the United States, landing in Vermillion every decade or so because of the importance of the collections at the National Music Museum. The Conference is generally attended by AMIS members and students, however any musical instrument enthusiast, maker, or collector is welcome to attend either by paying the non-member registration fee or joining AMIS and paying the member fee.
The 2026 AMIS meeting will feature informative sessions, special performances, tours of the newly-renovated (and still in progress) National Music Museum, a look at some of the most recent and important acquisitions, and the opportunity to visit the NMM’s newest off-site facility, the Center for Preservation & Research.
Registration Fee
Registration fee includes Wednesday evening opening reception, all paper sessions, concerts, tours, and meals (except breakfasts) including the Saturday evening banquet. Local taxes have been added to all fees as required by the State of South Dakota.
| Early Bird (Before April 15) | After April 15 |
Students | $217.40 ($200 + $17.40 tax) | $271.75 ($250 + $21.75 tax) |
AMIS Members | $353.28 ($325 + $28.28 tax) | $407.63 ($375 + $32.63 tax) |
Non-Members | $407.63 ($375 + $32.63 tax) | $461.98 ($425 + $36.98 tax) |
Additional Saturday banquet tickets, USD residence hall lodging during the conference, and roundtrip transportation between Vermillion and two nearby airports can be purchased separately as “Registration Add-Ons.”
Registration Add-Ons
On-Campus Accommodations
A limited number of on-campus, apartment-style accommodations located a 10-minute walk from the NMM are also available for reservation until May 1, 2026.
Notes:
· Each air-conditioned unit includes private bedrooms, with a shared kitchen,
bathroom, and living room.
· Bed/bath linens are provided.
· Rooms are available from May 26-31, with some arrival/departure flexibility
available with advance notice.
Airport Transportation
Roundtrip airport transportation from Sioux Falls, SD and Omaha, NE is available on Wednesday (5/27) and Sunday (5/31), following the schedule below
| Departing airport, Wednesday, 5/27 | Departing Vermillion, Sunday, 5/31 |
Omaha (OMA) | 3:30 PM | 5:00 AM |
Sioux Falls (FSD) | 4:30 PM | 5:00 AM |
Online Registration link can be found at NMMusd.org here.
Notes:
· Please submit one registration for each participant
· The name entered under “Billing address” will be the name used on your
conference name tag
· Use the “Company” section of the form to note institutional affiliation
· An email confirmation will be sent after completing checkout
· Additional Banquet Tickets, USD Residence Hall Lodging, and Roundtrip Airport
Transportation can be reserved at the time of registration. Please follow the “2026 AMIS Add-Ons:” link here. (This section does not need to be completed if additional services are not desired)
Mail Registration form can be found at NMMusd.org here.
Notes:
· Please fill out each section of the downloadable Registration Form.
· Tax will be auto calculated on the fillable form. If you are completing your form
by hand, please calculate and include the 8.7% sales tax with your payment.
· Mail completed form and check payable to National Music Museum to:
AMIS 2026
c/o National Music Museum
University of South Dakota
414 E. Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
· A confirmation receipt will be mailed after payment is received.
Registration is also available or the AMIS website at https://www.amis.org/meetings. If you are unable to find the forms at either web location, contact the National Music Museum at 605-658-3450.
Hotel Information
Blocks of nearby hotel rooms offering a discounted rate will be held until April 27:
· Vermillion Holiday Inn Express & Suites (605-624-7600), 20-minute walk to the
NMM
· Prairie Inn (605-624-2824), 15-minute walk to the NMM
You must make your own reservation by calling the above numbers; be sure to mention AMIS or the NMM to receive the discount.
Nearby Attractions
· Spirit Mound: https://www.spiritmound.org/
· Campgrounds and Golf Courses (weather permitting; see the Vermillion visitors guide below) USD Wellness Center (available to guests at additional cost: https://wellness.usd.edu/ )
· More about Vermillion: https://livevermillion.com/visitors-guide/
For more information or questions, contact Director Dwight Vaught at 605-658-3454 or dwight.vaught@usd.edu
