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fROM THEEDITOR Take a walk into the future T here's a story in this issue about the International Association of Amu sement Parks and Attractions (lAAPAl show that was recently held in Dallas. Features editor Chris Caire originally was scheduled to cover this show as he has done the past several years. However, he had been playing vacation date roulette, trying to coordinate the schedules of four guys for a trip to France. The game finally ended with the vacation planned for the same dates as the IAAPA I decided to go to the show myself; I hadn't been to one in quite a few years. What a surprise it was! I remember my last IAAPA There were very few companies I recognized and even fewer familiar faces walking the floor. I think what struck me right away at this show was how much cross-over there is now between the coin-operated amusement business and the amusement park and attractions industry. The most profound statement came from Ron Gold of Cleveland Coin when he said, "This show proves to the coin-op industry that we are only a small part of a much larger industry." At the AMOA show held in Nashville, many were discussing a change in direction of the coin-op industry- a change toward "pocket parks." These giant complexes house amusements of a ll kinds, from go-karts and batting cages to video games and redemption centers. And what wonders these complexes hold for an entertainmenthungry audience. All of them feature the latest in video games, pinball, and redemption, but go even further with simulators, interactive games, exciting rides, and food. W h ile the coin-op industry struggles with its own unique problems, there's a whole world of fun out there passing many by. Street operators who have focused on their pool tables, darts, and jukeboxes are reporting favorable revenues. They know that success only comes with lots of hard work. Other operators are diversifying into other ventures. For example, take a look at the story on Pride Enterprises. Larrianne Simon knew that she could not sit back and twiddle her thumbs while Atlanta burned around her. She took a hard look at the hand dealt her and bet on her future with home entertainment. Many operators are seeking alternatives to isolated video game routes. I said in an editorial a long time ago th at we must view PLAY METER 10 JANUARY1993 video games as simply one spoke in the industry wheel , which takes a lot of spokes for strength. There's no doubt that operators are studying that wheel right now, wondering how to keep it rolling. I really believe that everyone in the coin-op industry should take a day or two to attend the IAAPA show next year. I know it's kind of close to AMOA dates, but it will be a worthwhile experience . I took my son along and I'd like to thank him for letting me view things through 13-year-old eyes. He stopped at games and attractions that I'm sure wouldn't have caught my eye otherwise. He knew what he liked and what he didn't like. If someone said a game was the " latest and greatest" it only took a look in his eyes to know it would soon be history. Hey, maybe I could rent out kids at the trade shows to help adults view things the way they are in the real world of games and fun! D Valerie Cognevich Editor