A very special welcome goes out to the operators , distributors, and
manufacturers who came from all parts of the United States to attend the
first ever Amusement Operators Expo.
After two long years of planning and preparation, I believe that we
have succeeded in producing a trade show for the industry that is geared to
the needs of today's operator. So our warmest thanks and deepest
appreciation is extended to you who have supported us with your
confidence . By your participation in this first ever industry event, you have
demonstrated your faith in our concept and your determination to better
yourself and the industry. We are confident you will not only see a lot, but
learn a lot also.
The seminar portion of the show has received an overwhelming
response and has contributed greatly to its success. The exhibit hall has
been sold out completely, and the exhibitors represented here have gone
out of their ways to display a wealth of new games, products, and services
useful during the upcoming arcade season.
To get the most out of the show , we urge our visitors to attend as
many seminars as possible and spend as much time as possible evaluating
all the new equipment. The seminar program is designed to expose you to
fresh new ways of running your operation. The exhibits are there to enable
you to preview and evaluate a ll the new games that are about to be
released.
""'
We are delighted with your participation and support and wish you
the best trade show ever.
This show has been something new for us, of course. And comments
we've gotten about putting it on haven't all been exactly complimentary
either. But we are certainly heartened and encouraged by those of
you - from all ranks within the industry-who have said that what we have
tried here is something good for the industry.
As someone told me recently, "It takes guts to do this because you're
leaving yourself open to criticism from unthinking parties. "
It's a comment we appreciated because it has not been an easy task
for any of us. But I feel we have prevailed and, hopefully, the industry will
be the better because of it. The criticism is to be expected whenever you try
something that is new and right.
Again, thank you for vour support of the Amusement Operators Expo
and our magazine. Our goal has always been-and will remain-to
provide for the betterment of this industry.
Ralph C. Lally II
Editor and Publisher
4
PLAY METER, April, 1980