The annual gathering of members of the American Amusement Machine Assn. concluded today (10/6), finishing out what has been a year of growth, progressive change and focus on fair play. The event brought out some of the industry's most influential players to help steer the association and industry toward the future.
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| AAMA's Tina Schwartz (left) was surprised with the group's Joe Robbins award. |
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After a year of wins for this group of game manufacturers, distributors, FEC owners, et al, that included successful lobbying against Operation Choke Point, implementation of the Fair Play Pledge and the election of AAMA's first woman president (Holly Hampton), organizers left with a bright outlook and the drive to push further.
AAMA's focus on FECs has paid off, with the group's overall membership now at its highest pre-Recession levels with 165 members. That's not the only record being broken: The group donated more than ever this year, supporting the Red Cross, Kids Enjoy Exercise Now, the Lurie Children's Hospital and other organizations with donations that will total nearly $100,000 by the end of the year.
The Gala's welcome dinner, seminars and committee meetings all saw increased attendance this year, though its Dinner and Awards Ceremony was a bit thinner than in the past. Manufacturers seemed to respond well to the decision to push back the meeting dates to October, and the single showroom was packed with bright lights and sounds of newly minted games, prototypes and more product previews.
At the Awards Dinner, several important AAMA mainstays were duly recognized. The AAMA's Shining Star award went to Todd Louthain, who has been integral to revamping the Gala's and the annual Amusement Expo's educational offerings. According to AAMA toppers, Louthain has displayed unparalleled dedication to the association, and hardly missed a beat even when his home was lost in this summer's hurricanes. "Would you be able to maintain the same sense of obligation to volunteer work when you lost your home?" asked Pete Gustafson, AAMA Executive Director. "That alone should show you what kind of man he is."
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AMOA's Lori Schneider (left) had a showdown with Mike Abecassis (right) on Barron Games' new Tap That
game as the firm's Greg Bacorn (behind) watches.
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Tina Schwartz, the integral 18-year veteran of AAMA, was honored with the group's Joe Robbins Award during the dinner. The group managed to surprise her with the honor, despite the fact that she's got her hands on nearly everything the AAMA does. The final honor of the night went to longtime industry mainstay, Firestone's David Cohen, recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of dedication and above-and-beyond philanthropic work.
"You don't get to do this and be successful as an individual," Cohen said. "I wouldn't be here without a bunch of people who've stood behind me and helped along the way."
Look for
RePlay's full coverage of the event in our November issue.
