Each year, the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum invites a group of special individuals to take a well-deserved seat among the greats of motorcycling history, and this Dec. 5, the annual induction ceremony will go down at its coolest location ever: the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

"The AMA is firmly dedicated to elevating the stature of our Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "While the $1 million endowment that the AMA Board of Directors announced in February was a significant renewal of that dedication, it was only one part of those efforts. By moving our induction ceremony to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, we intend to give the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum -- and, by extension, our shared history and heritage -- the world-class stage it deserves."

Added Rich Diaz, special events manager for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas: "Motorcycle culture represents freedom, rebellion and an independent spirit. Our property was founded on those principles, so naturally we are beyond pleased to welcome the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony."

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino -- which was recently renovated with new rooms, a new convention space and a new concert venue -- is impressive even by Las Vegas standards, with an 84-foot guitar marking the entrance and, of course, all the glitz and memorabilia that fans have come to expect at Hard Rock Café locations around the world.

Information about buying tickets to attend the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum 2009 Induction Ceremony will be announced shortly on the Museum website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

In the meantime, stay tuned: the 2009 class of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum will be announced in random order over the course of the next several weeks.

Located on the sprawling park-like campus of the AMA in Pickerington, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling. Its members include those who have excelled in motorcycle business, history, design and engineering, as well as those who have made lasting contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of motorcycle racing.