Play Meter

GUEST COMMENTARY MMA Explains Explains Location Location Trade Trade Show Show Program Program AAMA (n1e manufacturers/distributors manufacturers/ distributors association, association, AAMA, AAM4, initiated initiated aa program program last last year year whereby whereby itit would would secure secure booth booth space space at at [The some major location trade shows (truck stops, convenience stores, etc.} during the year. The Illinois Coin Machine Operators some major location trade shows (truck stops, convenience stores, etc.) during the year. The Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association (ICMOA) (ICMOA) has has criticized criticized AAMA AAM4 for for the the move move claiming claiming that that the the manufacturers manufacturers are are trying trying to to make make direct direct location location Association contacts and sales. In response to a letter that ICMOA sent to AAM4, AAM4 president Maury Ferchen replied . .] contacts and sales. In response to a letter that ICMOA sent to AAMA, AAMA president Maury Ferchen replied ... ] Y Y our letter letter of of March March 11 11 dealing dealing with with manufacturer manufacturer we we plan plan to to have have one one pinball pinball machine, machine, one one jukebox, jukebox, perhaps perhaps our participation in local trade shows has been reviewed by two video games, and a novelty piece. The goal is to portray participation in local trade shows has been reviewed by two video games, and a novelty piece. The goal is to portray the board of directors of MMA. In this letter I would the entire industry in a favorable light--for the purpose of the board of directors of AAMA. In this letter I would the entire industry in a favorable light -- for the purpose of like to address some of your concerns. suggesting to those who don't currently have equipment that like to address some of your concerns. suggesting to those who don't currently have equipment that As you you indicate indicate in in your your letter letter "manufacturers "manufacturers may may select select they they should should consider consider getting getting some some and and to to suggest suggest to to those those that that As any market technique they have equipment that it can have equipment that it can any market technique they deem best for their company be an exciting and profitable deem best for their company be an exciting and profitable according to to economic economic realrealpart of of their their businesses businesses and and part according that ities of of the the open, open, competitive competitive that they they should should continue continue to to ities marketplace." AAMA MMA believes believes .I. I .I. I ~' utl look on on itit as as such. such. look marketplace." AAMA's that isis aa very very true true statement, statement, DA Df"/11\.TDDC'fior n.»no~v1r. MMA's display display will will carry carry the the that and our our association association endorses endorses L11\.l .1 Y.JJ.L\J .I\ 'J 1J slogan "We "We Make Make Your Your slogan and the concept concept of of free free and and Business..Look Look Better Better..Feel Feel Business the unrestrained trade within our Beiter ... Sound Better. .. Taste Better ... Sound Better ... Taste unrestrained trade within our free market market system. system. Within Within Better." The The photograph photograph in in Better." free this context of free enterliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil the display wiU show a super the display will show a super this context of free enterlocation that that could could be be interpreted interpreted by by the the viewer viewer to to be be any any one one prise, some some manufacturing manufacturing firms, firms, some some of of which which are are AAMA MMA location prise, of a number of types of locations, i.e. bowling centers, bar, members and some not, have decided to exhibit their products members and some not, have decided to exhibit their products of a number of types of locations, i.e. bowling centers, bar, etc. At At the the bottom bottom of of the the at location location trade trade shows. shows. etc. at display wiU be the words MMA feels that this is a display will be the words AAMA feels that this is a "You and and Your Your Operator Operator..decision that .that isis entirely entirely up up to to "You decision Partners for Profit." Profit." the individual firms involved. for Partners the individual firms involved. Perhaps you you know know that that at at the the MMA does, does, however, however, Perhaps AAMA recent AMOA board meeting recognize the value of the recent AMOA board meeting recognize the value of the in Reno, Reno, Nevada, Nevada, AAMA MMA traditional channel channel of of disdisin traditional extended an invitation to tribution (manufacturer, extended an invitation to tribution (manufacturer, AMOA to provide an operator distributor, operator) that AMOA to provide an operator distributor, operator) that to participate participate in in AAMA's MMA's has served served this this industry industry so so to has exhibit area during future well for many years. For that exhibit area during future well for many years. For that location shows. We have also reason , the association location shows. We have also reason, the association asked AMOA AMOA to to provide provide an an already supports this channel asked already supports this channel operator to participate in by having an association operator to participate in by having an association panel discussions at those presence as an exhibitor at those at panel discussions presence as an exhibitor at location shows shows that that accept accept location trade trade shows shows around around location location MMA's offer to do a seminar the country. MMA particiAAMA's offer to do a seminar the country. AAMA particion coin-op coin-op products. products. pated inin four four such such shows shows on pated While MMA does not not fault fault during 1986 and two already While AAMA does during 1986 and two already individual firms firms for for seeking seeking in 1987. 1987. individual in the methods methods of of distribution distribution the Beginning with with the Beginning the that fit them best, the the that fit them best, bowling proprietors proprietors show show in in bowling association itself believes in June, AAMA MMA will will be be exhibiting exhibiting association itself believes in June, positive publicity and sales only aa sampling sampling of of the the latest latest Maury Ferchen Ferchen Maury positive publicity and sales only sales from from manufacturers manufacturers to to in coin-op equipment. The goal is not to have every new promotion in support of sales in coin-op equipment. The goal is not to have every new promotion in support of available game game or or jukebox jukebox at at all all of of the the location location shows. shows. Rather, Rather, distributors distributors and and operators. operators. available " v.ou and v.our opovn .for "You and Your Operator ... .. ,, r r PARTNERS for PROFIT ... " I I 'I PLAY PLAY METER/July METER/July 1987 1987 114