Loose Change March 2025
- Melissa M
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 24
In this March issue
A letter from your EVP
See you in Vegas, we'll save you a seat
And the Winner is...
Go on Location with AAMA
Stay in the Loop
Drumroll please
Scholarship Opportunity
Acknowledgement for a job well done is something everyone appreciates. When that acknowledgement comes publicly from your peers, it’s a bit more humbling and meaningful.
AAMA has a tradition of acknowledging excellence in the achievements of our members. We started with a Man of the Year award, (which would be more than a little tone-deaf by today’s standards as it’s leaving 50% of the population out of the running).
That award morphed into the Lifetime Achievement Award which was first presented to Marty Bromley and Steve Kordek in 2001.
In 2014, we created the Lifetime Achievement Award Souvenir Ad Journal to recognize the LTA honoree, which has become the foundation’s most successful fundraising initiative. During the nine years since the creation of the LTA Ad Journal, it’s generated donations of over $1.6 million which go directly to support organizations focused on helping children and their families in need.
Over the years, we’ve added member category awards that today include:
· Manufacturer of the Year - Atari won the first one in 1990
· Distributor of the Year - C.A. Robinson won the first one in 1990
· Supplier of the Year - Suzo Happ won the first one in 2011
· FEC of the Year - Pinstack in Las Colinas, TX won the first one in 2018
· Allied Member of the Year - CreativeWorks won the first one in 2023
· AAMA Amusement Industry Hall of Fame - In its first year (2023) 31 individuals and 6 products/games were inducted into the HOF
The winners of four of the category awards, (manufacturer, distributor, supplier, and allied member of the year) are determined by the results of voting by you, the members of AAMA.
HOF inductees are selected from the list of nominations we receive from across the industry – nominations do not need to come from an AAMA member, and the inductee’s affiliation with AAMA is not a consideration when the committee reviews them.
The FEC of the Year is determined by a committee that reviews the submitted applications using a weighting chart consisting of 46 different and distinct metrics, as well as photographic and video content provided by the venue, and the results of secret shopper reports.
All these awards will be presented to the 2025 winners during the Beer’s and Cheer’s Celebration on Wednesday, March 19 at 5:00 PM in the Town Square on the tradeshow floor of the Amusement Expo International.
I encourage you to take a minute and add this event to your calendar. Not only will you learn who this year’s winners are, you’ll also be able to catch up with friends while enjoying a free beer – what’s not to like about that?
Hope to see you there!
Play more,
Pete
See you in Las Vegas at Amusement Expo International 2025! 🎉
We’re looking forward to seeing new products, engaging education sessions, an inspiring keynote, exciting industry events, and, most of all, reconnecting in person.
We’ll save you a seat at the table—find us at Booth 2312! 🍻
Category voting is closed, the ballots are counted and trophies have been ordered!
🏆 Join us at the Amusement Expo International 2025 Beers & Cheers event in Las Vegas, NV, where we’ll reveal the winners of the AAMA 2025 Category Awards, including:
🏆 Allied Member of the Year
🏆 Manufacturer of the Year
🏆 Distributor of the Year
🏆 Supplier of the Year
🏆 FEC of the Year
We find out the winners on Wednesday, March 19th, at Beers & Cheers. So exciting! You have to be at the Town Square as excitement builds and winners are announced.
Join the AAMA Game Room at Top Trade Shows in 2025!
Partner with AAMA and showcase your products and services at some of the amusement industry's leading trade shows in the AAMA Game Room. Members can display 1–2 pieces (depending on size) within the AAMA Game Room—a professionally designed, shared booth space that saves you money on shared expenses like furnishings and common areas.
Participating trade shows for 2025 include:
Environments for Aging
Bowl Expo
Roller Skate Convention
IATP (International Association of Trampoline Parks)
Let AAMA handle the logistics, from paperwork to booth setup, making your experience smooth and hassle-free. Oversized pieces may incur additional placement charges.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with key audiences and make an impact in the industry.
Stay in the Loop
Did you miss the latest news coming from AAMA HQ? Read all about AAMA's most recent fly-in to DC and the updates to the corporate transparency act.
Celebrating the AAMCF Honor Roll – Thank You for Your Support!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our industry, we exceeded our goal and raised an amazing $64,900—surpassing our original target of $60,000! This incredible achievement reflects the unwavering support for the families and children our industry helps each year.
Honor Roll Sponsors:
A special thank you to our Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors for making this possible. Your contributions will have a lasting impact, and we’re proud to recognize your generosity.
If you see someone wearing an Honor Roll badge ribbon at AEI, be sure to thank them for their support! Sponsors, don’t forget to pick up your ribbons at Booth 2312. Your generosity truly makes a difference.
Thank you for being part of this success!
Just weeks left for the J. Richard Oltmann Scholarship Applications!
Exciting News! We've revised the eligibility requirements for our scholarship—making it easier for even more talented individuals to apply and succeed because learning doesn't have an age limit. Beginning in 2025 students of any age can apply.
The Oltmann Scholarship application window is officially open! Now through March 15, 2025, AAMA is accepting applications from deserving individuals seeking to further their education.
This scholarship supports students attending an accredited college, university, or technical school, 2 or 4 year program. Whether you’re pursuing a degree or specialized training, the Oltmann Scholarship can help make your educational goals a reality.
To apply, candidates must have an endorsement from an AAMA member. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future with support from our industry’s community.
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