Loose Change - July 2025

Melissa M
Jul 2
4 min read

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” — Steve Jobs

On June 10 and 11, 27 members from AAMA, AMOA, BCA and NBVA participated in a Fly-In to Washington, DC to advocate on behalf of our industry. They met with 27 congressional offices asking to:

Make permanent the Main Street Tax Credit
Inform them of the negative impact blanket tariffs have on our industry
Support the bi-partisan Credit Card Competition Act
Help the over 200 AMOA operator members who have had their bank accounts closed with no explanation, no appeal and 30 days to find a new bank. Cash should not be criminalized.

On the afternoon of June 11, we held a product showcase in the Rayburn House of Representatives Office Building featuring six games, two juke boxes, a VR headset and sanitization station, and two displays of redemption counter prizes.

The showcase was visited by over 200 people who work on Capitol Hill in the House and Senate. This was the first time in over 20 years that we held a product showcase in DC.

There were a great many positives that came out of this Fly-In including:

Advocating together with our friends from AMOA, BCA and NBVA. The partnerships between our four organizations have grown well beyond just the Amusement Expo International. Together, we represent a much larger Amusement Industry community with similar challenges and needs. We have a broader reach and larger voice when we advocate for our industry as one.
Hosting the product showcase on Capitol Hill. Being able to show legislators and their staff members the myriad products our industry’s robust US manufacturing base creates, highlights our storied history and commitment to establishing businesses and creating jobs in America.
The size of our group. It’s been a long time since this many people participated in a DC Fly-In. This demonstrates the real value these trips provide – that by being part of these events, our members can make a meaningful difference for their business and industry.

I want to thank all of you who joined us for what by any measure was a resounding success. We could not have done it without you.

And for those of you asking, yes – we’re planning on doing it again next year. I hope to see a lot more of you walking The Halls of Power with us. Like Don Marshall often says, “We are so much better than me.”

Play more,

Pete

We’ve reimagined the AAMA Annual Meeting from the ground up—and the excitement is building! New city. New format. New energy. You do not want to miss this.

🗓 Early bird pricing ends July 7 – Register now and save before rates go up!

🎉 Join industry leaders, innovators, and game-changers who are already signed up. You’ll want to be in the room where it happens—networking, learning, and celebrating everything that makes our industry great.

👉 Check out who’s already attending

👉 Lock in your spot at the best rate

Let’s make this year’s All Access: AAMA Annual Meeting & Celebration the one everyone talks about.

🔔 Final Call: Sponsor the AAMA Annual Meeting by July 7!

Be Seen. Be Celebrated. Be a Sponsor.

We’re putting the final touches on All Access: AAMA’s Annual Meeting & Celebration—and your brand still has a chance to be front and center.

📆 July 7 is the final deadline to secure sponsorship and guarantee inclusion in all print and on-site materials.

This reimagined event in Dallas is already drawing a dynamic crowd of AAMA members and industry leaders. Sponsoring gets you:

✅ Premium exposure

✅ Direct access to decision-makers

✅ Recognition as a key supporter of the industry’s future

✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to stand out

Let’s make your brand a highlight of this can’t-miss event!

Sponsor Sign Up Here

🏆 Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open! 🏆

We’re now accepting nominations for the Class of 2026—help us honor the legends of the coin-op and amusement industry!

🗓️ Nominations are open now through July 18th.

Know someone who deserves the spotlight? Nominate them today!

Make Your Nomination Here

🎉 Get Ready…Set...GO! 🎉

🏆 AAMA’s 2026 FEC of the Year Application is OPEN 🏆

Think your Family Entertainment Center has what it takes to rise above the rest? Application season is open and we’re officially accepting applications for AAMA’s 2026 FEC of the Year — and we want to see you in the spotlight!

Whether you're known for your next-level games, unforgettable guest experience, or just have that unbeatable FEC magic, now’s your chance to shine. 🌟

📅 Deadline to apply: July 18, 2025

So polish those arcade floors, fire up the fun, and get ready to show us what you’ve got! 🕹️🎯🎠

Let the games begin!

Apply Here

Joe Camarota Honored with 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

🎉 We’re proud honor Joe Camarota of Alpha-Omega Sales as this year’s recipient of the AAMA Lifetime Achievement Award!

To celebrate Joe’s incredible contributions to the industry, the American Amusement Machine Charitable Foundation is producing a commemorative Ad Journal—and you can be part of it!

✅ Ad spots range from $100 to $25,000

❤️ Proceeds benefit KEEN Kids, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Sunrise Association, and a charity of Joe’s choice.

Let’s honor Joe and give back to children and families in need.

📩 Interested in placing an ad? Click below before July 7th

Reserve Your Ad Now

🎪 Volunteer at a Sunrise Carnival! 🎉

Come spend a day with the amazing kids of Camp Sunrise—children living with cancer and their siblings. Join us for a day of joy, games, and heartwarming moments. 💛

📍 July 10 – Chicago (Lake Zurich, IL)

📍 July 23 – Philly

📍 August 12 – Long Island

You’ll laugh, play, and leave inspired. 🌟

📩 Questions? aamacharity@gmail.com