NEWS
BULLETIN
PROGRESS ON AAMA FEC COMMITTEE
The American Amusement Machine Association
(AAMA) held a press conference during the Amusement
Expo International about the progress within the FEC
Committee, which was formed a year ago.
The committee was established to provide an open
community that will offer FEC members a space for com-
munication around relevant challenges and opportunities.
This will permit FEC operators to have a voice and a
direct line of communication to game manufacturers and
distributors.
The networking will create a forum for FEC members
to exchange ideas that will have a positive impact on the
industry. The goal is to become the FEC resource for the
industry.
Co-Chairs are George Smith of Family Entertainment
Group and Joe Camarota Jr. of Alpha-Omega Amusements
and Sales. Five sub-committees focus on food and bev-
erage; payment systems and technologies; merchandise;
marketing; and games, rides, and attractions.
Monthly FEC newsletters will focus on education and
promoting the benefits to FECs provided by the association,
as well as educational items on the Web site. A discount
program through Client Services will be a highlight. Repre-
sentatives from Client Services will attend the AAMA Annu-
al Meeting in September, and the seminar program at that
event will include more FEC-focused products.
Smith said, “We want to be more focused on FECs
in a bigger, broader way. If we have benefits for FEC
members, it will bring talent to the industry. We want to
include members who know the FEC segment.”
Chris Felix, President of AAMA, said, “I can’t say
enough about what the FEC Committee has done. As we
bring in the FEC component, we want to add their talking
points when we travel to Capitol Hill on behalf of the
industry.” Camarota said, “We want to be pro-active and
address issues instead of being reactive.”
David Cohen of AAMCF and Diane Oltmann announce the
J. Richard Oltmann Scholarship Fund.
J. RICHARD OLTMANN SCHOLARSHIP
During the recent Amusement Expo International in
Las Vegas, the American Amusement Machine Associ-
ation Charitable Foundation (AAMCF) announced the
establishment of the J. Richard Oltmann Memorial Schol-
arship Fund named for Oltmann, an industry icon who
passed away last May.
Oltmann was the Owner of Family Fun Companies and
the Enchanted Castle entertainment center and the Found-
er of the Haunted Trails entertainment center. He loved to
teach, mentor, design, and inspire. He wanted the industry
to constantly improve with new ideas, and always took sat-
isfaction in seeing others succeed.
He particularly liked to focus on the do’s and don’ts of
running a family entertainment center (FEC). Oltmann’s
goal was to have FECs be a safe, clean, friendly, and
happy environment. He also enjoyed helping game manu-
facturers improve their products or design new ones.
Oltmann’s widow, Diane, presented the AAMCF with a
check for $50,000 to establish the fund, which will award
$5,000 to a select recipient who best reflects Oltmann’s
vision, leadership, and dedication. The first award will be
presented in 2017 in time for the fall school schedule. A
criteria for the scholarship applications will be developed.
AAMCF President David Cohen said, “It is a privilege to
market and administer this scholarship fund and include
it as part of our charitable works. This is a wonderful way
for all of us to acknowledge Richard’s contributions to the
industry.” Oltmann made a distinction in his will to make
this gift.
PLAY METER
From left: Chris Felix, President of AAMA; George Smith
of Family Entertainment Group; and Joe Camarota Jr. of
Alpha-Omega Amusements & Sales.
1
MAY 2016