believe they have an opportunity to
make a difference; where what they
have to say is important.”
He added, “I have a passion for
the industry and the association. The
industry has been very good to me
over the years. Not many people get
a chance to give back the way I am
going to be able to.”
The first AAMA event on his agen-
da is the Annual Meeting & Gala tak-
ing place Sept. 12-16 at Pheas-
ant Run Resort in St. Charles, Ill.
“This has grown to be a real-
ly exciting event,” said Pete,
“and I see it continuing to grow.
We’ve gotten extremely inten-
tional about what we want to
achieve during the week we’re
together. The end result is a
very professional program filled
with relevant content and con-
versation.
“The work that’s accom-
plished is a credit to the com-
mitment our members bring to
this meeting. I’m present to a
healthy sense of urgency pro-
moting the entire space that
creates an atmosphere in which good
things naturally occur.”
The event has moved to a larger
host facility due to increased participa-
tion, as well as to accommodate man-
ufacturers who would like more time
to get new product ready and fami-
ly entertainment center (FEC) mem-
bers who have busy summer seasons
through Labor Day. Pete views the
new time and location as “a win-win
for all parties involved.”
Pete is ready to begin this new
chapter in his career. “I am blessed to
be given this opportunity,” he com-
mented. “I will approach it seriously
but I’m not about to forget we’re in the
game business. Ours is an industry that
creates and promotes fun. For me, that
means the work we do should also be
fun.”
Asked about the motivation to apply
for the position, he replied, “I really
enjoy working with the association. I
PLAY METER
Top:
Pete Gustafson (c) with Drew Maniscalco
(l) of Andamiro and Paul Jacobs of Gold
Standard Games/Shelti at the AAMA
Annual Meeting & Gala 2014.
Left:
At the AMOA Mid-Year Meeting 2013:
Pete Gustafson and his wife, Erin.
“Products come and go
but the relationships
are here to stay.”
enjoy the people who take ownership
of what they are doing. There is a real
selflessness in the membership, espe-
cially those who are active. That atti-
tude permeates the membership.”
When speaking about the industry,
Pete said, “This is first and foremost a
people business. Products come and
go but relationships are here to stay.
The key to success in this industry is
to surround yourself with good people.
That’s what carries forward.”
HISTORY
Pete began his career at Bally Pin-
ball as a Field Service Representative
in 1980. Subsequent moves includ-
ed positions at Bally Midway, Alad-
27
din’s Castle (the Bally arcade chain that
today is Namco Entertainment), Data
East Pinball, and Sega Pinball, where
he became Director of Sales and Mar-
keting.
He joined Face Place Photo as Vice
President of Business Development in
2005. In 2007, Pete took the post
of General Manager and International
Sales Manager at LAI Games, and in
2010 he was back on the Sega team as
General Manager of Sega Amusements.
Pete and his wife, Erin, have four
children and three grandchildren.
Besides his family and the industry,
his passions include playing a pretty
respectable rock ‘n’ roll guitar (those of
you that remember the Coin Drops can
attest to this) singing with Chicagoland
Voices (a 30-person choir that Pete
says “is made up of 29 music profes-
sionals and me”), and his garden where
vegetables are the main crop.
This gentleman farmer/musician is
ready to make further contributions to
the association. Pete can be reached at
(847)290-9088; e-mail (pgustafson@
coin-op.org). s
JUNE 2016