RePlay: Lloyd, what are you hoping to accomplish at this spring's ASI, both for your business and as president of AMOA?
Lloyd: As far as my company goes, I'm always looking for
new ideas, new street pieces that fit my route and new opportunities
- whether it be special show pricing or the chance to try out
some new program being offered at the show. For AMOA, in addition
to meeting with our counterparts at AAMA before the start of the
second day, I will do some pre-AMOA Expo work and also some post-Mid
Year Board meeting follow-up with other AMOA folks attending ASI.
Are you seeing the effects of the credit crisis and volatile markets in coin-op? How about the effects of rising fuel costs?
Yes, absolutely. The hard part is trying to isolate each
of them and the impact they are having. I think most operators
who spend a lot of time on their routes are feeling the results
of rising gas prices. The ripple effect the sluggish economy is
making is being felt by everyone. When you add them to the internal
challenges we face, fewer locations, smoking bans and all the
other things you write about in RePlay, it creates a less-than-ideal
environment. With that said, most operators like myself continue
to plug away and make the best of the situation.
What's your reaction to news that mega-retailer Wal-Mart will scale back coin-op significantly?
It goes back to the last question. It's another unwelcome
headline that comes in already challenging times. I don't know
all the details about the situation or the factors that went into
the decision, so I'm not in a position to question or criticize
the move. Time will tell if it was the right decision to make,
but it's unfortunate that, as a result, some of our industry's
factories and operators will be adversely affected.
Tell us what the biggest challenge you find AMOA members facing as you travel the country? Can AMOA help them?
As always, the answer is mixed when you're dealing with
such a diverse group spread across the country. For some, it's
having legislation render some of their equipment out-of-existence.
For others, it's the smoking bans. Yet others are just having
a tough time competing while still others are doing just fine.
Of course, AMOA can help them in many areas: by fighting legislative
threats on the national front, by providing marketing tools like
AMOA's "Why Use an Operator" brochure and by providing
education programs at the show or at Notre Dame. We also help
via discounts like the special member rate on JLO licenses or
our program with Firestone Financial or SuperAuctions or other
program partners and by sponsoring an event like the AMOA Expo
that is filled with ideas, information and opportunity. However,
it's never enough, and we can - and will - do more to help our
members compete more effectively. That's why AMOA exists.
Tell us more about your 60th anniversary plans.
We formed a committee, headed up by Andy Shaffer of Ohio,
to develop ways to mark the occasion. We just rolled out some
logos to be used as part of the campaign, and will be working
on a commemorative issue to highlight the work of the AMOA during
the past six decades. It will also be a focal point during upcoming
industry state and national events, culminating with this year's
expo in September in Las Vegas.
Give us an update on your presidential duties and travels including your take on the ATEI Show in London.
We are putting the final touches on our Mid-Year Board
meeting, which will take place March 8-11 in Puerto Vallarta,
Mexico. And soon after that will be the ASI Show.
We just completed the Council of Affiliated States meeting in
suburban Chicago last month, which was well-attended and a good
meeting, as usual. And, before that, as you mentioned, I represented
AMOA at ATEI in London.
My impression of the London show is that it remains a key international
event for the industry. It's an impressive show that truly attracts
buyers and sellers from around the world. For U.S. operators like
myself, the benefits of the event are somewhat limited, since
the product range is skewed towards the European and, specifically,
the U.K. marketplace. On the upside, I was able to spend considerable
time visiting with U.S. factories that were exhibiting there,
which is challenging during our domestic shows. As well, the International
Summit that I attended and the association leaders from around
the world that I met were valuable for AMOA and me personally.
And it is very interesting to see the types of equipment that
are being shown and sold in different markets around the world.
Anything else to add?
Yes, the deadline for the JLO license fees for 2008 is
March 15, and to qualify for the $26 per box discount, operators
must be a paid member of AMOA. So, if you have not yet renewed
or joined, I encourage you to act today! It's just one of the
association's member benefits where the savings can really add
up.
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