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AAMA American Amusement Machine Association AAMA EXHIBITS ALONGSIDE THE NATION’S FINEST FOODS AT THE 2007 NATIONAL RESTAURANT HOTEL/MOTEL SHOW

A steady stream of interest in coin-op products

The American Amusement Machine Association, (AAMA), returned to join the crowds at the 88th Annual National Restaurant Hotel/Motel Show.  This four day long show is the premier tradeshow event in the foodservice industry, and ran May 19-22, 2007.  Approximately 2,000 exhibitors in hundreds of different product categories lined the North and South Halls of Chicago’s vast McCormick Place Convention Center.  By the time the doors closed behind the last attendee, 73,000 members of the global foodservice community had walked the seemingly endless show floor. 

As always, finding the tastiest food was the top priority, but there was plenty to see and do once stomachs were full.  The 2007 National Restaurant Association continued to boast an ever growing list of events for one to watch or participate in.  Perennial favorites such as the Ice Carving Competition and International Cuisine Pavilion returned for another year.  Celebrities like Iron Chef Cat Cora were also on hand to share their culinary expertise with the appreciative crowds and sign copies of their best-selling books.    

The National Restaurant Association continued to offer attendees an outstanding education program.  Over 60 educational seminars, covering topics that ranged from restaurant marketing to hospitality to the newest food preparation technology, were scheduled over the course of the four day show. 

Special attention was given at this year’s show to the socially conscious restaurateur, as there is an increased focus on “going green” and making all aspects of the restaurant business more environmentally friendly.  A growing number of companies were showing earth-friendly products and several of them exhibited together in the “Green Products Pavilion”, which was located just across the aisle from the AAMA’s coin-op pavilion. 

Those who wanted to burn off a few of the calories acquired by sampling all the great food at the show could take part in “The Main Course”-10K Run and 5K Walk, which is part of the National Restaurant Association’s commitment to healthy living.  The event was held on the second morning of the show and participants completed a course that followed Chicago’s scenic lakefront.    

Although the National Restaurant Association couldn’t come close to beating last year’s visit and address by President Bush, there were still big names and excellent speeches to hear.  This year’s keynote address was given by former Tennessee senator and well-known actor, Fred Thompson.  Thompson’s speech on the second day of the show, entitled "Traveling in Strange Circles - From Watergate to Hollywood to the United States Senate to Law & Order", was delivered to a large and attentive crowd.       

Once again, the first two days of the exhibition took place at the same time as the Chicago White Sox and their north side rival, the Chicago Cubs, met for the first half of the 2007 Windy City Classic.  As always, the Direct TV booth was the best seat in the house as exhibitors and attendees alike gathered around multiple big screen televisions to watch their respective teams battle it out for city pride at historic Wrigley Field.  This year, the north siders walked away with temporary bragging rights until the second half of the series is played in late June at U.S. Cellular Field. 
     
The AAMA pavilion enjoyed a return to its previous year’s location in the South Hall across from the Direct TV booth, which did not fail to generate a steady stream of interest in coin-op products and leads for the association and its members.  Six companies joined AAMA in the coin-op pavilion and included AMOA, American Changer, Brady Distributing, Inc., Incredible Technologies, Inc., JVL Corp., and Rock-Ola Manufacturing.  Several other AAMA member companies who exhibited at the show but were not part of the AAMA pavilion were Fun Express, Marshall Productions, and TouchTunes Music Corporation. 

Next year’s National Restaurant Association show will be held May 17-20, 2008, and will remain at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.  The new 2008-2009 Location Trade Show (LTS) Calendar will be released in July. Keep your eyes open for more details on this valuable member benefit program in the next issue of Loose Change, the AAMA’s monthly e-newsletter, or online at www.coin-op.org.

Following the National Restaurant Show, this year’s Location Trade Show calendar will have the AAMA heading west to exhibit at three back to back to back shows.  First up is the Clean Show, which is the newest addition to the AAMA’s trade show tour.  The Clean Show will be held June 11-14, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.  After the Clean Show, the AAMA pavilion will remain in Las Vegas for the International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo, which runs June 21-23, 2007 at the Sands Convention Center.  The International Bowl Expo ends the AAMA’s jam packed June schedule, and will take place June 27-28, 2007, also at the Mandalay Bay, Convention Center Las Vegas.   

Association members will receive a copy of the 160 leads acquired by the AAMA at this year’s National Restaurant Association Show in the immediate future.  To request a copy, please contact Christy Maes toll free at 866.372.5190 or via e-mail at cmaes@coin-op.org.