The AMOA/Fun Expo conventions were jointly held from September 28-30 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Statistical information, as of press time, released on the second day- September 29- revealed the expo’s growth remained flat, showing losses in most categories.
There were 25 new exhibitors this year, totaling 153. However, non-renewals from 2006 dropped the total by five companies. They displayed their products and services in 480 booths, down from 492 last year. Seven educational seminars were held during the show. The Wayne E. Hesch Scholarship Fund, which offers annual $1000 scholarships to eligible students, raised more than $78,000. The total registration for both exhibitors and buyers dropped by 312 to 3892, and the buyer numbers from that totaled 1944, a 155-person drop from 2006. While Fun Expo also showed decreases in both exhibitors- 121 in 2007; 134 in 2006- and booths- 224 in 2007; 233 in 2006, attendance actually increased by 92, for a total 1770 visitors. Both outgoing AMOA president Howard Cole and outgoing IALEI president Larry Davis expressed satisfaction with the results, considering the soft market and prices of gas, hotels and airfare. However, all is not rosy. AMOA, AAMA and IALEI have confirmed discussions regarding the possibility of moving the AMOA show to co-locate with the Amusement Showcase International (ASI) and Fun Expo in a springtime slot. AMOA Executive Vice-President Jack Kelleher has cited the difficulty of knowing how the AMOA expo will fare as a stand-alone event. Fun Expo will relocate in 2009, so the soonest that data would motivate a schedule change is 2010. The noisy debate plays out against an argument that the types of attendees at the spring ASI expo differ from the trade members who attend AMOA. Exhibitors, seeking to minimize costs, especially when the IAAPA show is so soon after AMOA, are clamoring for a one-show solution. AMOA leaders are unsure how it will affect operators who often purchase new products in the fall, anticipating a strong post-October earning season for tavern customers. Lloyd Williamson of Williamson's Amusements, Inc. in Winona, Minnesota succeeded Cole as the new AMOA president. He will preside over the 2008 AMOA International Expo, scheduled for Wednesday, September 10 to Friday, September 12 in Las Vegas.
Will you be visiting the InterGame Expo?
- 30 September - 02 October, 2008
BEGE 2008 - Bulgaria
