Play Meter

Q
III
6
The National Automatic Merchandiser's Association
(N .A.M.A.), the nation 's sole vending association , made
a bit of its own history this year when it announced that a
music and games exhibit would be included in this year's
show . It marked the first time that the amusement
machine industry was invited to participate in the
N.A.M.A . exhibition .
For some music and games manufacturers, it marked
not only the first time exhibiting at the show but perhaps
the last.
The 1977 N.A.M.A. show, which took place October
13-16, drew a record crowd of vending operators . How
many of those vending operators are into music and
games is anybody's guess. N.A.M.A. claims that sixty
percent of its membership is operating cOin-operated
amusement equipment. The National Automatic Mer-
chandiser, one of the leading trade publications for the
vending industry , reports that only 19 percent of its
operator/ subscribers are into music and games . Judging
from the reaction of the music and games firms exhibiting
this year , the trade magazine seems to be right.
The primary complaint regarding the music and games
exhibit at the N.A .M.A. show was that it was cut off from
the main exhibit area and shoved off to the side almost as
if it were an after-thought . Those vending operators who
did happen to stumble across the music and games
exhibit ventured from booth to booth seemingly to satisfy
their own curiosity . When asked how he felt about the
music and games exhibit , one vending operator replied ,
"Oh , it's just wonderful for the kids . It keeps them
entertained and off our hands ."
There were a number of games manufacturers there
who were somewhat satisfied with the results of their
showing and said they would return next year if they
were invited to do so . Our own informal survey
(conducted at the show) indicated that half of the music
and games exhibitors would come back to exhibit under
the same conditions . Others felt that the music and
games should be integrated with the main exhibit and not
set off to the side like a stepchild .
For vending operators who did have a passing interest
in music and games, the music and games exhibit
provided an opportunity to sneak preview a couple of
pieces that would not have been shown until the
A.M .O .A.
However , many well-known music and games
manufacturers refused to exhibit at N.A.M.A. Apparently
some felt that shoWing at N.A.M .A. would hurt
attendance at the A .M.O .A . show. If an operator who
attended the A.M .O .A. every year , went to the
N.A.M.A . and saw what he considered all there was to
see in music and games at N.A.M.A., he may be tempted
not to attend the A.M.O .A . just to see the same things all
over again .
Some saw the music and games exhibit as a gesture on
the part of N.A.M.A . to open its arms to its sister industry
and patch up old differences. Others saw it as a definite
threat to the amusement industry's showcase event , the
A.M .O .A.
What N .A.M .A.'s real motive for having the music and
games exhibit really is anybody's guess . Hopefully , it
means that N.A.M .A. now recognizes the amusement
industry as a growing and respected force in the coin
machine industry . Hopefully , then , the two associations
can begin cooperating with one another in regards to
overlapping show dates and fighting for favorable
legislation . And , hopefully , if there is another music and
games exhibit at next year's N.A.M.A . show , it will be
incorporated into the main exhibit area and given the
attention it has long deserved .
Does N .A.M.A. represent a threat to our industry or
will they emerge as a newly-found ally? Only time will
tell.