Loose Change - January 2026 Edition

In this January issue

·    A Letter from your AAMA EVP

·    Renewals are HERE

·    Viva Las Vegas

·    AAMCF finishes Strong

·    J. Richard Oltmann Scholarship Application

Happy New Year!  

I hope you were all able to enjoy time with your family and friends over the holidays.  And with the festivities behind us, it’s now time to get to work!

As you begin your New Year, I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself, “Am I taking full advantage of what AAMA has to offer?” If not, perhaps this is the time to get engaged with your industry peers in a space that actively protects and promotes our great industry, while giving you intimate access to fellow key decision makers and thought leaders. 

We have a number of opportunities over the course of 2026 to do just that, a few of which include:

·      DC Advocacy Fly-Ins in March and June

·      Amusement Expo International in March

·      FEC Connect in May

·      AAMA Coin-Op Pavillion at the Bowl Expo in late June/early July

·      AAMA Annual Member’s Meeting in September

We want you to be a part of all these events and more and to do so, start with making sure you’ve renewed your AAMA membership.  For those of you who have yet to join, now’s the time to do so. By joining, you’ll be able to take full advantage of all that AAMA has to offer over the next 12 months.

In the coming weeks, you’ll be receiving communications from the office regarding the AAMA Member Directory, and the AAMCF Amusement Expo International Honor Roll. 

The AAMA Directory is a great way to have your company’s info on the desks of leaders from across the industry for the next 12 + months. Advertising in the directory is an effective way to get your message seen. Just before the holidays, we sent out a request to confirm/change your directory listing which included an opportunity to place an ad in the book. If you haven’t received this email, call the office ASAP before all the best spots get taken!

AAMCF Amusement Expo International Honor Roll.  We’re an awfully generous group and I think that’s a direct outgrowth of whom we serve.  A large percentage of our customer base is comprised of families with children, and that’s the primary community the AAMCF supports.  Your donations make a difference in the lives of children struggling with challenges we pray never befall our loved ones.  When the opportunity to give to the Honor Roll comes about, please give what you can.  

I wish you all a prosperous, joyful and safe New Year filled with possibility and opportunity leading to an even brighter tomorrow!

Play more,

Pete 

It’s that time of year again! Check your inbox — AAMA membership renewals went out from the office on December 22nd. We encourage all members to review and renew promptly to ensure uninterrupted access to the many benefits, resources, and advocacy efforts your membership supports.

Alongside renewals, you received a request to review and confirm your company’s directory listing information. Please take a moment to verify your details and respond quickly. Accurate listings help us present your organization clearly and professionally in the 2026 Member Directory.

Looking to enhance your visibility? Registration for directory advertising is open! If you’d like to reserve an ad spot, simply register below — prime spaces tend to go fast!

Thank you for your partnership and continued support of AAMA. We’re excited for another year of growth, innovation, and collaboration across the industry!

Directory Ad Registration

Amusement Expo International 2026: Exhibitor Registration Now Open!

The countdown is officially on! Amusement Expo International 2026 returns to Las Vegas, March 16–19, bringing the entire amusements, attractions, and entertainment ecosystem together for the industry’s premier event.

Whether you're launching a new product, looking to strengthen relationships, or aiming to put your brand in front of buyers from around the world, AEI is the show to be at. No other event delivers this level of access, energy, and opportunity for companies across the amusement, FEC, VR/AR, and out-of-home entertainment space.

Exhibitors — It’s Time to Secure Your Spot 

Exhibitor registration is officially open, and booths are already filling fast. If you want to showcase your innovations on the industry’s biggest stage, now is the time to lock in your presence.

By exhibiting at AEI 2026, you’ll gain:

·    Unmatched exposure to decision-makers and qualified buyers

·    High-value networking with operators, distributors, manufacturers, and industry leaders

·    A front-row seat to emerging technologies and market trends

·    Opportunities to build lasting partnerships across all sectors of the amusement world

Don’t wait — get your team registered and claim your booth space today.

Show up. Stand out. And shine at THE amusement show

Exhibitor Prospectus

Exhibitor Registration

As we begin the new year, we are proud to reflect on the generosity and impact of the AAMA community through the American Amusement Machine Charitable Foundation (AAMCF). The past year was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together—and it sets an inspiring tone as we look ahead to a generous and impactful 2026.

Through AAMCF, our industry continued to support enduring charity partners that align with our shared mission of bringing joy, opportunity, and connection beyond the game room. These partners included KEEN USA, Lurie Children’s Hospital, the Sunrise Association, and many others—organizations that make a lasting difference for children, families, and communities nationwide.

The impact of 2025 was made possible by the collective generosity of our members and supporters:

·    $64,900 raised through the Honor Roll initiative

·    $206,150 raised through the Lifetime Achievement Award Ad Journal

·    These efforts allowed AAMCF to present $250,000 in donation checks to our principal charity partners

·    During the Lifetime Achievement Award dinner, our Text-to-Give initiative raised an additional $34,000, further expanding our ability to support organizations serving children and families in need

Beyond fundraising, the AAMCF community showed up in meaningful, hands-on ways. Representatives from FEG, TouchTunes, Team Play, Stern Pinball, along with Lifetime Achievement Award winner Joe Camarota, participated in the Sunrise Association Carnival Day at their Chicago camp, helping create unforgettable moments of fun and connection.

We also closed out the year on a high note with the KEEN Kids Arcade, hosted on location at Lucky Strike. This special event embodied the spirit of inclusion and joy at the heart of our industry and served as a fitting finale to a strong year for AAMCF.

As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with gratitude for the generosity that made last year possible and excitement for what’s to come. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to giving back.

Together, we look forward to another year of meaningful impact.

J. Richard Oltmann Scholarship Applications Now Open

We’re excited to announce that the J. Richard Oltmann Scholarship is officially open for applications now through March 15, 2026! This annual scholarship, established in honor of longtime industry leader J. Richard Oltmann, supports students who are ready to take the next step in their educational journey.

The scholarship is open to any student pursuing higher education—whether at a college, university, trade school, or technical program—who has a recommendation from an AAMA member. This connection to our membership ensures that we continue investing in the families, communities, and future talent that help strengthen and grow our industry.

If you know a student preparing for their next chapter, we encourage you to share this opportunity. Your recommendation could help open doors for someone eager to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

Applications are available now, and the deadline to submit is March 15, 2026.

Find Details and Application Here