AAMA Presents Lifetime Achievement Award To Pinball Innovator Gary Stern

LAS VEGAS -- The American Amusement Machine Association's annual awards presentation was once again a highlight during Amusement Expo's opening ceremony on the morning of Mar. 25. Gary Stern, chairman and chief executive of Stern Pinball Inc., won AAMA's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Many regard Stern as the savior of the modern pinball machine industry. The classic amusement category almost disappeared in 1999, when Williams Electronics, once the dominant manufacturer in a healthy industry, stopped manufacturing flipper games. That same year, Sega exited the category, selling its pinball division, previously purchased from Data East in 1994, to Gary Stern who founded Stern Pinball Inc. in Melrose Park, IL. SPI has since manufactured almost 50 game series.

While the pinball company's sales have been bolstered by ever-growing demand from collectors and hobbyists, Stern underscored the importance of the street operator. "Without games on the street, pinball would not exist for the collectors and enthusiasts," he said upon receiving the award.

Additionally, AAMA bestowed its "best of year" awards on Redemption Plus, Betson Enterprises and AMI Entertainment, which won, respectively, in the supplier, distributor and manufacturer categories.

Betson, the nation's largest vending and amusement equipment distributor, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. The company won three consecutive AAMA Distributor of the Year Awards from 2010 to 2012.

BACK IN PLAY:AAMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Gary Stern emphasizes the importance of a vital coin-op street business to the continued success of the pinball category, which he revived 15 years ago.

MUSIC HATH CHARMS:AMI Entertainment Network took top honors as AAMA Manufacturer of the Year at the 2015 Amusement Expo. Enjoying the moment here, from left, are AMI president and chief executive Michael Maas; AAMA president Peter Gustafson, Sega Amusement; AMI senior vice-president of sales John Margold; and AAMA executive vice-president John Schultz.

SALES AND SERVICE:Betson Enterprises (Carlstadt, NJ) was recognized as AAMA Distributor of the Year. Above, from left, AAMA's John Schultz and Peter Gustafson congratulate Betson principals Katherine Betti, Bob Geschine and Peter Betti at awards ceremony prior to Amusement Expo's formal opening. Betson, the nation's leading coin-op equipment distributor, has been serving the industry for 80 years.

TEAM TRIUMPH:Sharing AAMA Supplier of the Year kudos at 2015 Amusement Expo, from left, are key Redemption Plus staff members Kory Lafayette, Bridgette Stone, Jason Patterson, Justin Michaels, Jennifer Hantsbarger, and Nick Kouratou, assistant buyer. Redemption Plus is a broad-spectrum supplier of merchandise for family entertainment centers, bulk vendors, event caterers and educators.