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lETTERS Losing sight I am upset. No, I'm much more than upset, I'm downright angry. When I got my exhibitor package from AMOA, I got out my checkbook to send off my deposit for my regular booth. But when I saw how much it had gone up, I almost fell out of the chair. I am just a small company and attend only one show each year-either AMOA or ACME. Now I realize that AMOA may not be one of my choices anymore. Why? Simply because I can't afford it. But I'm mad because it looks like AMOA is being greedy . It seems like AMOA is doing less and less for its members, yet expects to extort money from us for its show. And, as if having to spend so much more for a booth wasn't enough, the rooms at the hotel are outrageous . I'm now wondering if AMOA has completely lost sight of the purpose of the show . Sure , operators can see the latest equipment from the major manufacturers . But they can also visit their distributors after the show and see it. What about the support and supply companies that have products that can't be seen at every distributor? The show is important for them-too important for them to be squeezed out. Ralph Lally had the right idea when he started Amusement Operators Expo (notice the operators in the title). He truly wanted to give operators what they wanted and needed. I'm sad to see AMOA becoming so greedy that they will be losing the very people that should be at the show. There has been controversy before about the high cost just to get into the show; now it's nearly financially impossible to exhibit. PLAY METER 12 JUNE 1992 AMOA has made a huge mistake. I'm not the only small company reeling from this surprise attack on our pocketbooks. I heard that AMOA is using the excuse that when it signed the contract several years ago , AMOA didn't realize that more space would be needed . So? That 's not our problem. Whatever space there is should be sold on a first-come , firstserved basis and for a reasonable price . After all , if AMOA made a bad decision about where to hold the show, I shouldn't have to pay the price of the mistake. I'm furious and won't be at the show. I wouldn't be surprised to see this outrage blow up in AMOA's face when exhibitors pull out and realize that they haven't missed a thing. Too bad for us and too bad for the operators . Anonymous Too, too much I am writing to express my concern over the tremendous rate increase for the booths at AMOA '92, to be held in Nashville, Oct. 1-3. The rates have increased over 36 percent , making the AMOA show by far the most expensive show we will exhibit at this year. Here is a cost comparison of our three biggest shows for an 800-square-foot display: AMOA will cost $12,000; IAAPA , $8,000 ; and ACME , $8,000. In the long run I believe the AMOA members will be the ones to suffer if manufacturers do not come to this show displaying a full line of equipment, or if they cut back on the number of new products they bring to display. The lines are already very long on the best equipment and this can only increase the problem. We have cut back on our booth plans by 20 percent because of the cost increase. I am sure we are not alone. I hope this rate increase is just a one-year situation. If it's not, our company and others I've talked with are considering shifting more of our show emphasis to the IAAPA show in November. Matt Kelly Lazer-Tron Pleasanton, CA We , too, are a small company that is finding it very hard to understand the astronomical rise in booth space. While the big guys can cut back several booths or take fewer people to the show to meet show budgets, it's impossible if you only have one or two booths to begin with and are already taking a skeleton crew. We believe this will be devastating to operators, who won't be able to make contacts with those exhibitors that can 't justify the expense. We invited AMOA to explain its position. It's plain to see that AMOA is not worried by the complaints. After all, according to this response, AMOA is selling the booth space; that seems to be all that 's important. A reply AMOA has commitments for over 67 percent as of May 1 in Opryland's Ryman Hall. That measurement is a full three weeks ahead of what it was in 1991. The AMOA staff is working with each exhibitor to insure that all reasonable requests can be met. AMOA Chicago, IL