GUEST EDITORIAL
AOE '85:
The Aftermath
By Louis Boasberg
Inasmuch as New Orleans is a way of life and to be a citizen of New
Orleans, like being a citizen of Rome, is greater than being a king, anything
I write about the recent AOE Show is prejudiced, slanted, biased, and one-
sided, to say the least.
But even the show's most ardent detractors have to admit it was a
wonderful setting-right on world-famed Canal Street, in the heart of the
City, with the entrance to the French Quarter right across the street. Held
in a beautiful new hotel with practically every room having a view and
surrounded by more beautiful new hotels across the street and half a
block away, it was a good location.
Since most famous restaurants and Bourbon Street are within
walking distance and everything is ce rally located, the savings on taxi
fares alone were worth the trip.
The weather-absolutely perfect. The show itself, much better
attended, especially by operators, than anyone thought.
Many manufacturers and large distributors were conspicuous by
their absence-under orders either to cut down on expenses or to show
loyalty to their own organizations. But, two coin machine shows within a
month of each other is just a little bit too much for even the most ardent
and enthusiastic show attendees. That's all the more reason for the
powers that be in ASI and AOE to get together, iron out their difficulties
and have one well advertised, well attended wonderful spring show with
manufacturers, distributors, and operators all getting together and kissing
each other in a show of friendship and love.
The new editor of Play Meter magazine, Carol Lally, deserves a
great deal of praise for her determination and efforts in putting on the AOE
Show, despite great obstacles and discouraging advice. Whether the AOE
Show was successful or not is strictly a personal point of view, but one
thing is for sure: everyone from points east, west, north, and south
enjoyed themselves and gained a few pounds.
So in the future, forget Chicago, Las Vegas, Anaheim, Dallas, San
Francisco, and Orlando. Let's have all future industry shows way down
yonder in "The City that Care Forgot."
6
PLAY METER. April 15, 1965