It was a dry heat tour. Nearly 100 COCA mem -
bers slathered on the sun tan lotion for a weekend
of fun on July 27-29 in Phoenix Arizona. Chair-
man Dave Cook and co chair Teresa Johnson made
sure that we all were treated to a great time. We
began on Friday with registration at the Embassy
Suites Hotel. This hotel was a great choice for our
group as it included cooked to order breakfast every
morning and a complimentary happy hour every
evening. Everyone received large gift bags filled
with sun tan lotions, candy, snacks and bottled wa-
ter. Room to room trading lasted 3 hours with lots
of machines and other coin-op related merchandise
available. I was surprised at the large number of
slot machines and vending machines on display.
A social hour, banquet and auction followed. The
bids were once again called by professional auc-
tioneer and member Jeff Scott. Jeff was able to zip
through about 175 items without a break. I know
that everyone at the auction appreciated his speed
and skill. Jeff was assisted by his wife Shelia and
Dave Small. The auction check-in and bookkeep-
ing was done by Marsha Blau, along with Mark and
Marci Ernster. COCA owes a huge THANK YOU
to this auction team. There were lots of gumball
and peanut machines that changed hands. Trade
stimulators sold included a rare Buddick Par-ket, a
Garden City Pick A Pack and a Groetchen Sparks
with beer strips.
There were many punch boards, mechanical
banks and a good assortment of antique advertis-
ing. Most items were sold as there were very few
buy backs. The auction had no buyers or sellers
fees and it was a win-win situation for all.
Saturday and Sunday collection tours included
the homes of David Cook, Erick Johnson, Bill
Baskin and Alex Warschaw. We saw lots of great
vending machines, trades stimulators, cigar cut-
ters, figural match holders, mechanical banks and
other types of coin-op and related items. Thanks to
Dave, Erick, Bill and Alex for opening their homes
to us and for their great hospitality.
Saturday lunch time was certainly one of the
weekend highlights. All members were treated to
lunch and personalized tours of Phoenix real estate
investor Michael Pollack's collection.
Michael has amassed over 8,000 pieces of three
dimensional antique advertising along with a large
coin-op collection. He also has a huge game room
filled with modern and classic arcade pieces. The
foyer and office spaces are adorned with some very
glamorous artworks. Thanks Michael for the fine
food and first class tour.
Saturday evening we went to the nearby William
Wrigley Mansion for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and
a banquet. After the banquet Ken Rubin and Ed
Mazzola officially announced that the 2008 con-
vention would be held in September in New York
City. The evening was topped off by a murder mys-
tery whodunit that featured many of our members
in key roles.
After dinner we ventured out onto the mansion
balconies for the spectacular nighttime views of
the city of Phoenix. Thanks to Erick Johnson for
securing the use of the mansion.
Most members were able to work in tours of the
Sedona area, the Grand Canyon and many of the
other great places to visit in Arizona.
Many, many thanks to David Cook, Teresa John-
son and all those that helped them put together an-
other wonderful COCA convention.
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