Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

NEXT CONVENTION. The spotlight falls
on the NAMA convention at the Palmer
House, Chicago, Dec. 14-17. The exhibit s
scheduled for the fourth and seventh
floors of the hotel assure the trade
there will be plenty to see. Probably
the most crucial interest will center in
the exhibits of merchandise supplies.
Such exhibits are significant in these
times of shortages; of all the goods to
be displayed, only cigarettes and soft
drinks suggest ample supply to meet de-
mand. Can the vending trade show enough .
strenqth this year to justify the mer-
chandise firms in exhibiting at the an-
nual conventions?
Due to widespread interest throughout
the Coin Machine Industry in vending ma-
chines, music and amusement games oper-
ators are expected to swell the attend-
ance at the NAMA convention.
WIDE PUBLICITY. Vendin~ machines have
been getting a lot of publicity in con-
ventions outside coin machine circles.
National conventions of the soft drink,
pop corn. ice cream and dairy industries
had displays of vendors. Even the Na-
tional Assn. of Ice Industries had ven-
ding machines at its annual convention.
Soft drink vendors were also on display
at such location conventions as that of
retail druggists and su~er mark~ts. evi-
dently for the purpose of making the
long sought entry of modern merchan-
dising machines into these important
establishment.s.
REGIONAL DINNER~ - The series of din-
ners in 17 or more nities on Nov. 23
have more meaning than the important job
of contributinq to the CMI Cancer Fund
Drive, for which the dinners were held.
It is a new idea in trade get-togethers
and may be used in the future for varied
purposes. What is needed is a great
cause and a concerted effort to make
such regional meetings an annual affair.
Such dinners are bound to have local
significance and news value wherever
they are held. NAMA has had good success
with its re~ional meeting program and
the idea has become an institution with
them. The Industry in its broad opera-
tions needs the tonic of annual regional
meetings.
TRADE LEADERS. At least two leaders in
the trade will get public recognition at
the conventions in December and January.
CMI will make its annual award to some
leader in public relations work, and a
luncheon on the second day of the con-
vention in January will be given to this
important recognition. NAMA will bestow
'i ts award to the "vending machine man of
the year" at its December convention.
8
That gives due recognition to two men
each year; The REVIEW gives recognition
to other deserving men in its column,
"Personality of the Month", also a stafr
editor has prepared a special article in
recognition of leaders in public rela-
tions work.
RECORDED MUSIC. The Petrillo ban on
recording, to become effective Dec. 31,
is getting much publicity even in the
general press. Trade reports suggest
that music operators are not worried so
much by the outlook. The record ban,
however, is likely to give more stress
to the copyright issue when it comes be-
fore Congress again next year. A contrib-
uted article in Broadcasting magazine
puts the finger on commercial phono-
graphs as the chief medium to consider
when copyright issue comes before Con-
gress.
CONGRESS. Special session of Congress
beginning Nov. 17 means prolonged dis-
cussion, at least until June, on many
tough issues, other than copyrights.
Present outlook is that federal taxes
may not get right-of-way until January
or later. Setting for presidential cam-
paign is being made in Congress. A na-
tional election year may sometimes be
disturbing to business.
COIN LIMITS. While other lines of
business can increase retail prices in
keeping with the general inflationary
trend, coin machine operators generally
are limited by coins and coin mechanisms
to pre-war prices. This is a serious
problem for the trade and will ~row more
serious as long as the price spiral con-
tinues upward. Music operators have
tried to do something, but current re-
ports indicate the public doesn't react
favorably to higher prices for music.
Vending operators, due to merchandise
costs, may have to do something. Cello-
phane sure has proved an unusual bles s -
ing to cigarette operators.
STEEL. In the field of materials steel
has become the item of greatest concern
to manufacturers of machines. Recent re-
ports show a tightening up in sheet and
strip supplies again. This shortage may
handicap a lot of manufacturers of new
vending machines, when they are getting
ready to make big headway in 1948.
LOCATIONS. A lot of attention will be
given locations of various kinds early
in next year, to determine how the pub-
lic is spending. Holiday trade is set-
ting a record but in November stores be-
gan to report cautious spending by the
public. Operators of coin machines have
felt what a slack in public spending ca n
do in the drop in tavern trade during
the year.
THE CALENDAR. Another year is about to
close, with all that it has meant for
the Coin Machine Industry, and our next
issue will bear date of a new year. What
will 1948 bring for the Industry?
COIN MACHINE REVIEW