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Ace/Acme merger official COIN-OP NEWS AAMA with AIC Conferences, the Asian organizer of conferences for the amusement and theme park industry, to change the dates of its Pan Asia Family Entertainment Center Conference so that it precedes the AAE. This year's conference will feature a comprehensive analysis of opportunities and developments in the region 's family entertainment centers . If moved , the conference would take place June 6-7. "We were delighted with AIC Conferences' decision to change its previously announced April dates to coincide with our expo, as it presented an unparalleled opportunity for both organizations to strengthen their position in the It took a while, but the merger of amusement merchandise leaders Ace Novelty Co . and Acme Premium Supply Corp . was finally completed in late January. continued from page 10 The new organization will operate as one sales Asian market ," said organization with two AAMA executive direc- separate product lines tor Bob Fay. A mutual under the umbrella agreement was reached name of Ace/Acme. to support and promote "We are confident that each other's events. this merger will be beneThe convention center ficial to our customers," is located in one of the said Ace president Ron most vibrant districts of Mayers . "Our ratio of Hong Kong. Major hotels sales and service people are situated adjacent to per customer will be the convention cent er, much higher as a result all offering a spectacular of the merger. This, comview of Victoria Harbour. bined with the increased Exhibit space for t he number of shipping AAE will be limited and points , will make us offered to AAMA mem- much more responsive bers on a priority basis. to our customers' needs." For more information, Said Acme president contact Asian Amuse- Robert Dawson, "The ment Expo, Show Man- merger also allows us to agement , William T. streamline and elimiGlasgow Inc. , 16066 S. nate many duplicated Park Ave ., South Hol- operations. The result is land, IL 604 73-1500; (708) a much stronger compa333-9292; FAX (708) 333- ny that will operate 4086. more cost-effectively. That translates into a greater ability to offer our customers an even wider variety of m e r - · especially attractive in- chandise at competitive vestment by offering prices." Mayers indicated that buyers positive cash flow beginning the first day," he said. "To do that , we have incorporated a twoye ar financing program with a mere 10 percent Valley Recreation Prodown and a low 10 per- ducts has hired Doug cent interest rate for Blair as vice president of qualified buyers." Three- sales and marketing . year terms may be possi- Before joining Valley h e ble for quantity buyers. served 12 years as sa le s Information is avail- manager for Wico Corp. able directly through Prior to that he spent Capcom USA's photo- many years in the soft booth division. Call (408) drink and snack indus774-3914. tries. Capcom offers financing program Capcom USA has developed a new financing program for its Instant Memories photobooth, a licensed product from Polaroid. The unit is a particular attraction for arcades, family fun centers, and theme parks. George Leslie, a Capcom USA vice president, says Instant Memories typically pays for itself in 10 to 12 months and produces consistent profits for many years. "We plan to make Instant Memories an . PLAY METER the combined park and carnival sales force will be run by Ken Ke llerhals, who will a lso be responsible for the Acme line. John Dyer will supervise the arcade and family fun center division. The Ace product line will be supervised by Ed Plotkin, who will also be responsible fo r distributor sales. A n etwork of regional sales and se rvice personnel rounds out "what Ace / Acme feels is the most expe rienced sales s t a ff in North America," Mayers said . Ace/ Acme has nine plush distribution centers in East Brunswick (New Jersey), Chic ago , St. Louis , Los Angele s , Seattle, Atlanta, Houston, Vancouver , and Toronto. This, combined wit h Acme 's Mi dwest t ruck routes, "will provide unparalleled coverage and convenience for the customer." The companies ' first combined catalogues, a 180-page amusement catalogue and a 40-page arcade/redemption catalogue, have just been completed. For more information , call (206) 644-1820. Valley appoints Blair 13 At Valley Blair will work closely with Dick Shelton, senior vice president/general m a nage r , in overseeing the domestic marke ting of e lectronic dart mac hine s and pool tables, including the new Image Series pool tables. MARCH 1994