The Oregon Amusement & Music Operators Assn. will meet for their spring meeting from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 14 at Langer’s Entertainment Center at 21650 SW Langer Farm Pkwy. in Sherwood, Oregon. Lunch will be provided, and bowling and golf will follow the event. During the meeting, attendees can expect an industry roundtable discussion, updates from manufacturers and vendors and an auction. There will also be an update on what’s going on in the state governments of Oregon and the neighboring Washington. To learn more, email [email protected] or give them a call at 541-688-1888.
Author: Matt Harding
Attendees can now register for this year’s IAAPA Expo Asia. More than 300 exhibitors plan to showcase their out-of-home attractions from July 30-July 3 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in China. The overarching theme of the event is “Find Possible,” meant to inspire creativity and new market opportunities. “IAAPA Expo Asia really is a one-stop destination for professionals in the leisure and attractions industry, whether you are part of a multinational corporation or a small family-run operation,” said Jack Chan, executive director and vice president of IAAPA Asia Pacific. Chan said the show will cater those who work…
Joining Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Skee-Ball, Space Invaders, the TouchTunes jukebox, the Wurlitzer 1015 jukebox, Pong and Golden Tee in the Amusement Industry Hall of Fame is this year’s sole product inductee – the pinball machine Humpty Dumpty. Made by Gottlieb and released on Oct. 25, 1947, it was the very first pinball game with electro-mechanical flippers (it had six). It was designed by Harry Mabs and featured artwork by Roy Parker. “The reception of flippers was utterly monumental,” said AAMA Executive Vice President Pete Gustafson at the induction ceremony. “Trade journals raved about the game saying, ‘Never before has any…
AAMA’s Amusement Industry Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly shaped the direction and growth of the amusement sector. In a press release, Betson lauded Bob Geschine and Peter Betti, saying they both “exemplify this distinction through decades of leadership, innovation, and service.” Geschine has served as president of Betson Enterprises for more two decades, leading the company through an era of dynamic expansion and industry transformation. Under his guidance, Betson has become one of the most respected names in amusement distribution, known for its customer-first philosophy and forward-thinking approach. Betti, who served as chairman and CEO until his…
The Foundations Entertainment University seminar in Las Vegas from March 17-18 was their largest class in 23 years, organizers report. Attendees gathered from across the country to gain valuable insights into the FEC industry. A special highlight of the event was an operator interview featuring Tim and Tammy Homer, owners of Flight 509 Entertainment Center in Spokane, Wash., who shared their journey of building and operating a successful FEC. The next FEU classes will be held July 22-23 in Fort Myers, Fla., and Oct. 7-8 in Houston. Learn more at www.foundationsuniversity.com.
In partnership with Logan Arcade and consultant Jim Bennington from No Cash Value LLC, 16 On Center has opened Elston Electric in Chicago’s award-winning Salt Shed venue. The arcade bar and restaurant began welcoming customers on March 22 and features a mix of retro and modern games. “Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that in just three short years, the Salt Shed would reach 100% occupancy – a full-on complex of fun under one big roof,” said 16 On Center co-founder Bruce Finkleman. “With the grand opening of Elston Electric, in partnership with our good friends at Logan…
The indie arcade game Switch ‘N’ Shoot is coming soon to the commonwealth of Kentucky – courtesy of Wilcox Arcade. Developed by DSM Arcade, this one-button space shooter arrived at Know-a-Guy in Murray on March 22, as part of the Wilcox Arcade route, ran by RePlay columnist Dustin Wilcox. Along with it came a launch event where the first 25 paying players each received a 1” Wilcox Arcade pin. The first player to earn 300 in-game points took home a Wilcox Arcade trucker hat. “It feels good to get another indie game in my old Kentucky home,” Wilcox said. “If…
A party booking software company is looking to impart FEC-related expertise by hosting an upcoming webinar. Party Center Software will go live on March 27 at 1 p.m. Eastern time to share with attendees how they can open and manage an entertainment center – with special focus on software solutions, efficient operations, and avoiding costly mistakes. The president and founder of Turfway Entertainment, Dave Wallace, intends to share insights from more than a quarter-century of experience during the webinar, including how software can simplify booking. Click here to reserve your spot at the event.
More companies bought more booth space at the 2025 Amusement Expo, an 8% increase over last year – representing the show’s biggest footprint yet. While fewer people showed up (about 2,300 buyers compared to last year’s roughly 2,500), organizers and exhibitors expressed that it was a quality show and cited that the absence of the Bar & Restaurant and Pizza expos this year may have contributed to that. At the Beers & Cheers event on the first night of the trade show, AMOA handed out its Innovator Awards to AMI Entertainment for Phantom, Amusement Source International for Case Pro and…
Embed showed off a host of updates to its integrated hardware and software ecosystem at Amusement Expo this year. The update includes integration with Microsoft Surface Pro tablets running the Embed payment processing system, enabling employees to transact with customers at any point on a game floor – not just at a counter or kiosk. “Now, operators can have it all without needing to plug it all,” said Andy Welsh, chief technology officer at Embed. “They can connect it all to sync it all — and with today’s consumer demands and global business trends, that’s more like it.” End-to-end online…