Amusement & Music Operators Association

Responding to preferences by exhibitors and attendees alike, and reflecting trends in trade shows around the country, the AAMA-AMOA Amusement Expo board of directors announced today that starting next year, the annual event for the coin-op and revenue-generating amusement, music and family entertainment industry will be a three-day program, featuring one day of education and two days of exhibits.

"The on-site and post-event polling conducted in conjunction with this year's Expo showed a strong preference for two full days of exhibits and an expanded education program," said Expo Chairman John Pascaretti. "The show's leadership is committed to making the show as valuable as possible and we feel the new format addresses this issue in a major, positive way."

Added Expo Vice Chairman Chris Felix: "As an exhibitor, I believe this move is a great way to sustain the Expo's energy, enthusiasm and excitement from start to finish. We started the process by condensing exhibit hours this year, but next year's schedule represents a bold step in making the trade show more productive and by putting a greater emphasis on continuing education."

In case you missed it, earlier this week, the National Transportation Safety Board voted to recommend to U.S. states they lower the blood-alcohol content threshold that determines drunken driving.

The current level BAC in all 50 states is .08. The NSTB is now proposing the BAC measurement, which yields the percentage of alcohol, by volume, in the bloodstream, be reduced to .05.

To be clear, no one, and certainly not our trade association, is supportive of any measure that would put more impaired drivers on our streets. But when do such crusades collide with individual liberties and making the right decisions? While this incremental step will not solve the issue of irresponsible actions by drunk drivers, it does, as one industry executive said: "Criminalize perfectly responsible behavior."