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n]" LAST WORD Bright lights, big city s I made one last pass through the show floor at ACME ‘91, I spotted a manufacturer of redemption games who is always forthright in his assessment of how the proceedings fared. ‘Business was OK for us, but the traffic wasn’t nearly as good as I’d hoped,’ he said. Then came the kicker: ‘I swear, why do organizers of these trade shows insist on coming to Las Vegas? It’s a fun city, but getting out here is a hassle. The attendance is down, so I don’t write as many orders. “IfI had a vote, I'd pick Chicago for every trade show. Every single one. My company always does very well at trade shows there. People who attend our trade shows don’t mind traveling to Chicago because it’s easily accessible. I know people complain that it’s too expensive, that dealing with the unions can be a nightmare, but I'll take Chicago over any other city for a convention.’’ His comments came to mind as I listened to another manufacturer friend express similar disgust while attending a recent event in, ironically, Chicago. He gets worked up when talking about problems that exist in an industry he’s belonged to for many years. And the matter of trade show sites is, to him, a problem. ‘““Take ACME, for example,’’ he began. ‘‘I don’t want to step on any toes, because I know your magazine cosponsors the show.”’ ‘‘Step away,’ I said, eager to hear the bitching that was soon to come in torrents. Complainers like to listen to kindred spirits, so as to pick up tips on voice in- PLAY METER 178 AUGUST 1991 flection, gestures, and assorted expletives that may be back in vogue. ‘““‘Anyway, look where the past few ACME shows have been held: Reno and Las Vegas,’’ he pointed out. ‘“Have you seen the schedule for the rest of the decade? San Antonio, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Reno, Orlando, Las Vegas, Dallas, Las Vegasthat’s three times! and Tampa. Where’s Chicago in there? ‘““AMOA had a chance to avoid these smaller cities, but where do they have a show planned for? Nashville. I’m not saying Nashville is a bad city. But for a major trade show? Give me a break.’’ Whoa, slow down. I told him that the ACME show committee is pleased with attendance in Reno and Las Vegas, that every year the show sets attendance records. What’s wrong, I added, with giving other cities a shot? Attendees can only stand so much freezing wind and deep-dish pizza. ‘““You’re missing the point,’’ he ‘I know San Antonio is a charming It’s a hot spot for vacationers. But much media attention can we expect said. city. how to get New York City and Los Angeles. “‘I know people will raise hell about the air fare, the expensive lodging and meals, the crime, the smog,’’ he said. ‘‘But you know what? It’s worth it to this industry if we’re going to compete for the recreational dollar. Imagine all those TV cameras at the trade shows, filming our latest and greatest games for America to see on the national news. Or reporters from the New York Times or Los Angeles Times doing long feature stories on the industry. ‘If we’re going to be a major player in the entertainment industry, we need to be right under the noses of the two biggest media centers in America. All those other cities keep us too isolated from a large audience.’’ To quell his fiery oratory, I admitted that his was an idea worth considering by trade show organizers. I requested, though, that he expand his short list of potential host cities. “If you don’t want to come to New Orleans, at least pick a big Southern city like Atlanta,”’ I concluded. ‘‘CNN is in San Antonio? I love New Orleans, but headquartered there, and I can satisfy my please, you’ve got one daily newspaperand it isn’t that good. Chicago, on the other hand, is one of our country’s major cities. Our industry needs the kind of TV and newspaper coverage that only a major city can provide.” I conceded that his point was well- cravings for cheese grits.”’ taken. But besides Chicago, I asked, where would he suggest holding future ACME and AMOA shows? The reply: []7 (Neiatapher Caice Christopher Caire News Editor