AMOAF Hails Turnout For 2nd Annual Conference And First Trade Show

ORLANDO, FL -- The Amusement Machine Owners Association of Florida held its second annual conference and inaugural trade show at the Double Tree by Hilton Orlando. The autumn event featured educational programming, ample opportunity for discussion, a silent auction fundraiser and the association's first-ever trade show.

Keynoting the Orlando, FL, meeting was Amusement and Music Operators Association president Jerry Johnston, Amusement Unlimited (Eugene, OR), who brought participants up to date on AMOA's activities on behalf of the industry and emphasized the value to operators of becoming involved with their trade associations. AMOAF legislative counsel Scott Dick previewed the next Florida legislative session and highlighted opportunities for AMOAF to make the industry's voice heard.

The AMOAF business meeting, led by president A.J. Kress, Florida Music and Vending (Palm Beach), reviewed the association's finances, lobbying arrangements and a proposed change to the bylaws.

At the ensuing election, four new board members were chosen to serve three-year terms: Rick Dee, Prime Time Amusements (Fort Lauderdale); Ed Chermak, Legacy Coin-Operated Distributors (Myrtle Beach, SC); Joe Kirby, Betson Florida (Orlando); and Enzo Celani, Brady Starburst (Miramar).

AMOAF officers, whose terms continue into 2016, are A.J. Kress, president; Larry Adami, Livingston's Amusement Center (Sarasota), vice-president; Greg Trent, Beyer & Brown (South Daytona), treasurer; and Phil Juckem, All Brands Vending (Tampa), secretary.

Continuing board members are Kathey Fanning, Gator Coin (Jacksonville), Phil McBride, T&G Music (Titusville, FL), and Dale Williams, Williams Amusements (Orlando).

The Silent Auction fundraiser generated more than $11,000 for the association. Equipment from TouchTunes, Arachnid, American Changer and Valley Dynamo was among the top prizes.

The inaugural trade show welcomed 14 manufacturers and suppliers who provided 16 machines to view, including four pieces that made their debut at the event. Exhibiting at the show were: BMI Merchandise, Playtime Toys, Arachnid, AMI, Unis, Benchmark, Raw Thrills, Stern, Venco, Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Bay Tek, Sega, Betson, Brady Starburst and Legacy. Program sponsors for the 2015 AMOAF conference were Legacy, Touchtunes and Sacoa.

The association reported that the strong showing at the expanded annual conference will bolster its program for the year ahead, including new legislative activities focused on sales tax issues, as well as membership development and planning for a much larger annual meeting and trade show in 2016.

SUMMIT MEETING:Discussing progress of Florida legislative initiatives at AMOAF's first trade show, from left, are Sega's Pete Gustafson, AAMA past-president; AMOA president Jerry Johnston; and AMOAF president A.J. Kress.