Editorial
it's two, two, two shows for all
Although the Music Operators of America staff
assures us that the annual MOA Exposition wiU not
be moved from Chicago, we think MOA members
should give some thought to the idea.
If they won't consider moving the convention
periodically to other major cities, perhaps they
should con ider holding two shows--one in the fall to
coincide with the introduction of new model
phonographs and one in the spring to coincide with
the start of the arcade season.
We suggest this because several manufacturers
have told us the present timing of the MOA show
throws their timing off, forcing them to release
some new games that they would prefer holding
until the spring season.
We also suggest this alternative because we feel
attendance at the MOA show could be improved by
having it in different locations each year and
because MOA membership would probably be
tremendously increased.
While Chicago geographically centrally located, it
stiU cannot draw the smaller operators from distant
states. Chicago and lllinois area operators and
di tributors do attend the show, however, and in
disproportionate numbers.
The Chicago area (including states within a
reasonable travel distance) represents 21.2 per cent
of the U.S. population. Yet, this area represented
47.9 per cent of the people who registered at the
recent how.
If we include all nearby states representing 29.8
per cent of the U.S. population, we find that 56.9
per cent of the MOA attendance was from this area.
Thi means that more than half of the MOA
attendance was from "local" operators and distribu-
tors. By contrast, the New York area, for example,
represents 24.9 per cent of the U.S. population, but
PUt' ltiETf:R
only represented 15.5 per cent of the MOA
attendance. The population-to-MOA attendance
ratio is even worse for other sections of the
country.
But if the MOA were held in New York, for
example, we could reasonable expect an increase in
attendance of 18 per cent, based on area population.
The same disproportionate percentage ratios can
be observed in the exhibitors listings: Of the 97
exhibitors at the 1975 show, 19, or less than 20 per
cent, were from Illinois. California and New York
also had 19 exhibitors each. The rest were from 25
other states and a few foreign countries.
On the basis of exhibitors' locations, MOA should
give California and New York an equal chance at
drawing their area operators and distributors into
active MOA participation.
It would be greatly advantageous, not only for
MOA, but for the entire industry, to have a larger
cross-section of the country attend the show on a
emi-regular basis, rather than having the same
regulars show up all the time, by having two
bows--one in Chicago and another in a different
city each year.
Of course, the major operators and distributors
will attend wherever the show is held, but it is
equally important to involve the smaller operator
and distributor by giving them something more
than state association shows. And, of course, what
about operators and distributors in states without
an active association or without one at all?
Manufacturer get a fantastic opportunity to hear
complaints and improvements on their products and
to have a wider sampling of reaction could only
improve the quality of product.
MOA should not overlook the possibilities we
have suggested. It could mean a brighter future for
all.
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