Thursday, June 5, 2014
Time extended to June 24 to voice
concerns on coin changes
The original deadline for the U.S. Mint to accept comments from the
public regarding proposed changes in the metallic content of coins has
been extended from June 6 to June 24. The grass roots efforts of the
“Don’t Change our Change” Coalition have involved a letter writing
campaign to inform the U.S. Mint of the impact of a change in coinage
on small businesses.
The coin machine industry is well represented in this effort by
the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA), the Amusement and
Music Operators Association (AMOA), the National Bulk Vendors
Association (NBVA), and the National Automatic Merchandising
Association ((NAMA). All are members of the coalition and are asking
their members to send a letter to the U.S. Mint on this matter. Anyone
who has not sent a letter can do it easily through this link
(http://www.dontchangeourchange.com/).
LAI Games appoints Harry Levy
LAI Games has appointed Harry Levy as its exclusive U.K. distributor.
Harry Levy brings a wealth of industry knowledge and understanding of
the U.K. amusement market through experience as an established
manufacturer, operator, and distributor.
LAI Games’ Global Head of Sales, Marshall Ashdown, said, “We look
forward to working with Harry and his team. They are incredibly well
known and respected throughout the U.K. and we see many synergies
between our two companies.”
Harry Levy’s Commercial Director, Matthew Deith, added, “We’re excited
to be appointed exclusive distributor for LAI Games. Over recent years
they have established themselves as innovative manufacturers of
appealing prize merchandisers and family redemption games, all of which
will fit well into our current portfolio. I’m looking forward to
offering their current range of games to our customers and seeing all
their new developments at the International Association of Amusement
Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo in November.” For more information,
visit (www.laigames.com) and (www.harrylevy.com).
BullShooter Finals a big success
Arachnid’s 29th BullShooter Finals were a huge success for new owners
Tony, Chris, and Shawn Beall. The $125,000+ finals took place May 22-26
at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill. Numbers were up this year
by 200 players and 100 percent of the fees were returned to the
players. Team USA was edged out by Team Belgium in the International
Team event and took second place.
Top Gun Challenge events took place in singles and triples. In an
exciting Top Gun Pro event, Ray Carver of Illinois defeated Fancois
Schweyen of Belgium to take the Top Gun Pro/Pro AA Cricket singles
championship title. Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards were presented to
Ray Carver of Illinois in the Men’s Division and Shea Reynolds of
Florida and Trish Grzesik of Canada (co-MVPs) in the Women’s Division.
Next year will be the 30thanniversary and new and exciting events are
being planned to celebrate. For more information, visit
(www.bullshooter.com).
WAMO Conference set for August
The Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators Association (WAMO) will
host its Annual Conference Thursday and Friday, Aug. 28-29, at the
Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay. Thursday's preconference activities include fishing for walleye on The Bay, golf at
Oneida Country Club, technician training workshops, and a tailgate
party at Lambeau Field for a pre-season Green Bay Packers Game.
Friday's events include a trade show, more technician training, keynote
address and workshop for operators, legislative update, luncheon
address by Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) President
Bobby Hogin, spouse tour of Green Bay attractions, membership meeting
and election, awards banquet, and silent and live auctions. For more
information, contact Maxine O'Brien, (608)635-4316; e-mail
(WAMOmax@aol.com).
IAAPA adds networking event to 2014 Expo
In keeping with the International Association of Amusement Parks and
Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2014’s theme of “Big Starts Here,” the list of
networking opportunities has been expanded with the addition of “IAAPA
Connects at New Fantasyland at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park” on Mon.,
Nov. 17, 7:30 pm-10:30 pm, with exclusive access to New Fantasyland.
The expo will take place Nov. 17-21 at the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando. Expo registration is required to purchase a ticket
to this event. Tickets are $149 but IAAPA members may purchase tickets
for $104.
Additional special events include the IAAPA Celebrates Universal
Orlando Resort on Thu., Nov. 20, 7:30 pm-11 pm at Universal Orlando
Resort. Tickets are $149 but IAAPA members may purchase tickets for
$104. An Event Combo ticket is available for IAAPA members for $175.
For more information, visit (www.iaapa.org).
NAMA debuts Product Navigator
The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has announced
an important resource for its members: the Alliance for a Healthier
Generation’s Product Navigator, a product list compliant with FitPick
Select® and USDA Smart Snacks in School standards.
“Created and managed by the Alliance, the Product Navigator is a tool
that leverages the organization’s longtime nutrition expertise. Now
that there is one national set of vending standards, the Alliance and
USDA are working together to provide resources and tools, including
product evaluation. This is just one of the Alliance’s tools we are
providing on our NAMA Nutrition Center for our members,” said Roni
Moore, NAMA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
Moore added, “This is particularly timely given that USDA’s Smart
Snacks in School nutrition standards will go into effect July 1 for
schools nationwide.” For NAMA members working with customers outside of
schools, there is a sample list of FitPick compliant products featured
on the NAMA Nutrition and Wellness Center. The Product Navigator can be
accessed through the For more information, visit (www.vending.org).
Photos:
1 (Team USA)
2 (Fit Pick logo)