Two giants merge - Euroslot - the independent voice of the amusement and gambling industry

Two giants merge

Published: 10 November, 2009

After two decades of rumours and discussion, officials from both the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) and the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) announced a show merger. On September 24, the groups disclosed that the AAMA's Amusement Showcase International (ASI) trade show will be combined into a single show with the AMOA's International Expo. The show will collocate with Fun Expo on March 10-12, 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The statement was made at this year's 61st AMOA convention in Las Vegas. AMOA leaders emphasized they are not relinquishing the trade show, but merely rescheduling from its traditional fall timeframe. The AMOA and AAMA will jointly own, sponsor and conduct the joint trade event. The groups will rename the joint convention.

Representing both associations, the AAMA released a statement, claiming the leadership of both organizations "just recently" ratified the agreement. The arrangement requires that a new business entity be forged. This new group will have a structure, bylaws, budget and leadership separate from the leadership of both organizations.

The history of these negotiations and discussions dates back to the summer of 1989, when the two groups began conversations. These negotiations stalled when AMOA and AAMA officers disagreed on several topics. These problem areas included leadership, finances, organization and timing issues for the associations and for a single show.

Talks began again two years ago, focusing only on merging trade shows rather than the associations. It is reported that the two sides even met with an arbitrator when the discussions appeared to have again reached an impasse.

A major obstacle was the show's schedule. AAMA stressed that ASI exhibitor surveys revealed that the majority of sales of products and equipment occurred in the spring in preparation for the peak summer season.

Conversely, AMOA stressed that the typical "street" operator preferred a fall timetable to prepare for the winter and increased customer traffic in bars and taverns.

However, the jolt of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announcement that it would begin holding its fall shows in Las Vegas every other year, beginning this November, motivated the Fun Expo to collocate with ASI this past March.

Many industry analysts believe that also compelled the AMOA to reevaluate its long-standing commitment to the fall calendar. The group did not need any greater competition for a Las Vegas convention, especially in these tough economic times. The show had already seen shrinking attendance numbers over the past few years.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this