Play Meter

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UP FRONT
Meetings cultivate optimism-
a vital resource
There is a strange phenomenon erupting within the industry. lt is
something that has been badly needed, but elusive in the past year. What
is it? The realization that there is a future for the coin-op industry. This
fact has brought about a positive attitude in some industry members.
I know this seems hard to believe-so many major manufacturers
have been victims of the shakeout. For instance, it's startling to realize
that Atari, the cornerstone of the video boom, is on such shaky ground.
Atari's woes have hit everyone rather hard-it seems slightly impossible
that such a giant could be felled. And Atari is not alone. We could dwell
on the plight of other manufacturers who are suffering. But let's examine
optimism-that new phenomenon within the industry.
Distributors recently gathered in Seattle to view Nintendo's new
Pak for its VS. System and view the new factory. They saw firsthand that
the future of the coin-op industry is assured-that yes, there will be a
viable coin-op industry.
Nintendo has not only built a new building to replace the structure
at South Center, but it is putting the finishing touches on another
building next door for future expansion. In addition, it has made
guarantees to distributors no one has made before. Nintendo intends to
be in the business for a long time to come, and the distributors seem to
share the same attitude-they believe they are also here to stay.
After attending the Nintendo meeting, I realized that the
meetings that distributors have for operators and manufacturers have
for distributors are more important and serve a greater purpose than
may be expected.
Those who attend church services go for the fellowship.
Experiences are shared and sermons hit home with messages that may
have been known but are emphasized and expounded upon to build
confidence and pride in attendees.
Industry meetings serve similar purposes-they provide a forum
for fellowship and the sharing of ideas and thoughts to build confidence.
The enthusiasm rubs off on attendees and hopefully gives those people
the courage to know they are important for the survival of the industry.
Though distributors and operators are competitors in some
cases, there is a comradeship among all sectors in the industry that
needs to be nurtured. Don't ignore a distributor meeting or
manufacturer meeting, discounting it as only a party. It is an important
part of the new phenomenon-positive people doing positive thinking
with good reason.
~&~
Valerie Cognevich
Editorial Director
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