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N EWS BULLETIN ... STRAHAN RESIGNS FROM NSM . .. In what must be considered one of the most shocking departures in recent memory, longtime NSM-America president Rus Strahan announced his resignation on July 23. A FAX issued that day made no mention of why Strahan was resigning, though it's been speculated that problems arose with the parent company, NSM AG in Bingen, Germany. Strahan was with NSM-America, formerly known as Loewen-America, almost since its inception. He started as a service technician nearly 15 years ago and worked his way up to the presidency in 1982. Under Strahan's direction , NSM jukebox products enjoyed growing popularity in North America, to the point where today it holds the second-largest market share. His involvement in the jukebox industry has gone well beyond trying to sell NSM jukeboxes. Strahan has helped draft manufacturing standards and has actively participated in political lobbying efforts to further the industry. He was recently elected AAMA vice president and is also serving his second three-year term as a board member. Ullrich Schulze, managing director of NSM AG , said, "We are very sorry that Rus has chosen to leave NSM-America. Our relationship was one that was far more than just business. We enjoyed a fellowship that grew over the years, one that I highly prized and respected a great deal." Peter Kuhn, marketing director for NSM AG , added, "Our respect for Rus and his efforts extends well beyond business dealings. We all wish him continuing great success in his future endeavors." Kuhn, who also sits on NSM AG 's board of directors, will assume Strahan's position "at least for a period of time" and will report directly to Schulze. John Margold and Jurgen Jost remain NSM-America's vice president of sales and marketing and controller/financial manager, respectively. What does the future hold for Strahan? He said, " I'm going to take a little time off to begin with, but I haven't made any decisions yet. I'd like to thank all the great friends who have called to offer their support. I'd also like to thank those who work behind the scenes at NSM; they are the ones who made me look good: Mike Jablonski, Tony Lance, George Haydocy, John Tracy, Keith White, Sue Davis, Lisa, Carol, and Orlando. They have been at NSM all along and have done a wonderful job. I can assure all of NSM's customers that they will continue to do a fine job." ... GENERAL COIN SOLD? ... We've been trying to get the official word on the status of General Coin's distribution offices in Seattle and Portland; here's what we know. A recording in the Portland office says General Coin has been sold to new ownership and that "they" planned to open for business on July 26. But a spokesman at the Seattle office said on July 23 that he was still unsure about what was going to happen. Sources in the Pacific Northwest tell Play Meter that the hold-up regards financing . When that gets settled and the new owners reveal themselves, we'll pass it on . ... PAPA PLANS FALL TOURNAMENTS ... The Professional and Amateur Pinball Association (PAPA} will sponsor three regional pinball tournaments this fall in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago, announced PAPA president Steve Epstein. The six-week tournaments, which kick off on the weekend of Oct. 29-31 , will utilize the PAPA competitive pinball scoring system . Winners from each region will then compete in the PAPA 4 International Pinball Championships, set for Feb. 5-7, 1994, in New York City. "The idea of regional tournaments is a dream come true," Epstein said. "Everything I've tried to do with PAPA has been built around bringing highquality pinball action to the people. The 'Fall Flipoffs' are a strong first step in that direction." With the help of regional operators and distributors such as American Vending Sales (Chicago}, Greater Southern Distributors (Atlanta}, C.A. Robinson & Co. (San Francisco}, and Betson Pacific (San Francisco}, PAPA competition will reach approximately 100 pinball locations in each region , including local taverns, convenience stores, and mall arcades. Promotional tieins are being developed. Operators and distributors interested in participating in future Flipoff events should contact Epstein at (212) 247-3725. "At this point, since Jim Vanderhoof, Jolly Backer, and now Jeff Wal ker are no longer with us, we need to find some additional sales people," said Joe Morici, senior vice president for Capcom USA's coin-op and consu mer divisions. "We parted on good terms with Jeff and wish him all the best." In other news concerning Capcom, it has teamed up with TSR Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of role-playing games for personal computers and home systems, to produce Dungeons and Dragons: Temple of Doom. This coin-op role-playing game will make its debut at the GEN CON Game Fair, which takes place Aug. 19-22 in Milwaukee. Over 18,000 people attended last year's show. ... AAMA LATIN SHOW DRAWS RECORD CROWD . . . AAMA's fourth Latin American Expo, held July 21-22 in Mexico City, boasted some 160 booths and an estimated 3,000 attendees, both records for the event. We attended the event but, because of deadlines, were unable to get coverage and photos in this issue. Look for a story in the next issue. ... FLIPPER-MANIA AT PINBALL EXPO .. . The ninth annual Pinball Expo, an event eagerly anticipated by scores of pinball players, operators, manufacturers, and collectors, takes place Sept. 9-12 at the Ramada Inn O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill. (outside of Chicago}. Show promoter Rob Berk says Pinball Expo '93 will offer a completely new and unusual program of pinball activities to complement its customary programming. Seminars and presentations include pinball development, the evolution of pinball design, restoration tips for reconditioning vintage pinball games, and a special presentation by Williams/Bally designer Pat Lawlor on the making of Twilight Zone. This year's factory tour will stop at the new Alvin G. & Co. manufacturing facility. For more information on Pinball Expo events, contact Berk at (800) 323-3547. ... VLT TO SELL MACHINES TO CANADIAN MARKET . .. Video Lottery Technologies announced on July 14 that the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority is finalizing negotiations with VLT's subsidiary, Video Lottery Consultants, to purchase 1,000 video lottery terminals, with an option to buy 500 more. The company announced in March that it had been selected by the Authority to supply the terminals. Eldon Lautermilch, the Saskatchewan minister responsible for the Authority, said, " Security staff have conducted an exhaustive investigation, including numerous interviews with individuals from VLC. My officials have assured me that there is no evidence at this time to suggest that VLC is the target of any grand jury investigation. There is also no evidence that identifies any wrongdoing on the part of any VLC official or employee who was involved in the West Virginia request for proposal process." ... STATE ASSOCIATION UPDATE ... The West Virginia Music and Vending Association convention and trade show is scheduled for Sept. 9-11 at the Charleston House Holiday Inn in South Charleston, W.Va. The agenda includes adinner cru ise on the West Virginia Belle, a golf tournament, music and games exhibits, and the fi rst-ever Mountaineer Dart Classic. For more details call (304) 949-3289. And, to update an item in the "News," PAMMA will stage a golf outing and awards banquet on Aug. 27. Following the tournament the association will honor Wayne Del uca as "Man of the Year." Call (800) 521 -7778 for more information. ... LATE ADDRESS CHANGES .. . We received the following address changes just before we went to press: VR8 Inc. has moved into a 17,000-square-foot facility at 2685 Park Center Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065. That space is expected to be doubled in the next few months. The phone and FAX numbers are (805) 520-6988 and (805) 520-6989. The new address for German distributor KG Nova Apparate GmbH's business premises is Lademannbogen 134, 22339 Hamburg. The new P.O. Box is Postfach 63 06 61, 2231 6 Hamburg. The phone and FAX numbers remain the same. Great Western Inc. has relocated to 480 Shelly St. , Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477. The phone and FAX numbers are (503) 726-1813 and (503) 726-7413. ... WALKER LEAVES CAPCOM ... Jeff Walker, Capcom USA's vice president ... CORRECTION .. . In our story on the CCMA convention last month , of coin-op, has left the company. It wasn't known at press time whether he was going to work for another coin-op company. we inadvertently transposed the photos of Walt Hawkins and Fred Gillmann. Our apologies to both . PLAY METER MAGAZINE, August 1993, Volume 19, No. 9. Copyright 1993 by Skybird Publishing Company. PLAY METER MAGAZINE (UPS 358-350) is published monthly, except for the two issues in January. Publishing office: 6600 Fleur de Lis, New Orleans, LA 70124. MAILING ADDRESSES: P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184, USA. Phone: 504/488-7003; FAX 504/488-7083. Subscription rates: U.S. and Canada-$60. Advertising rates are available upon request. NO PART OF THE MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION. The editors are not responsi ble for unsolicited manuscripts. PLAY METER MAGAZINE buys ALL RIGHTS, unless otherwise specified, to accepted manuscripts, cartoons, art work, and photographs. Second-class postage paid at New Orleans, LA 70113 and ad.ditional mailing offices. POSTMASTER Send Form 3579 to Play Meter, P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184. PLAY METER 3 AUGUST 1993 I