Headlining the many news items emanating from the annual AMOA Mid-Year Board Meeting was the election of John Pascaretti of Wolverine American, Inc., Redford, MI, as Secretary.

Traditionally within AMOA’s leadership ranks, an individual attaining the position of Secretary becomes the favorite to serve as President in four years, once he or she serves a series of one-year terms as Secretary, Treasurer, First Vice President and then President.

What makes Pascaretti’s election newsworthy and, in fact, historic, is that, if he does continue to move up in the top ranks of AMOA’s leadership and become President, he will be the first distributor in the association’s history to hold that title.

While the possibility of having a distributor as AMOA President in the year 2012 was warmly embraced by the association’s Board of Directors, so, too, was the election of other officers during the March 28-30 gathering at Amelia Island, FL.

This fall, at the close of Expo, Gary Brewer of Brewer Amusement Company, McMinnville, TN, will be the 2009-2010 AMOA President.  Donovan Fremin of Delta Music Inc., Thibodaux, LA, will become First Vice President, and Andy Shaffer of Shaffer Services, Columbus, OH, will be the new AMOA Treasurer.

The AMOA Coin–Op Cares Education & Charitable Foundation is donating $5,000 to support the efforts of Save the Children and UNICEF in the wake of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Additionally, Coin–Op Cares will work to direct an industry fundraising effort before and during the upcoming AAMA/AMOA Amusement Expo and will match donations from industry sources up to $5,000.

"We realize that many individuals and companies have already stepped up to help the earthquake victims in Haiti," said AMOA President Gary Brewer. "Yet, all reports indicate the recovery and rebuilding process will take a decade or more. Our industry has a long history of being generous, and I ask all individuals, companies and organizations affiliated with our business to support this effort."

Donations should be made out to: Coin-Op Cares. Please print "Haiti" in the memo section, if donating by check. Those interested in contributing can do so by:

• By phone: Call 800.937.2662 (1.800.YES.AMOA)
  The Foundation accepts Mastercard, VISA and American Express cards.
• By mail: Checks can be sent to:
  AMOA, 33 West Higgins Road, Suite 830, South Barrington, IL 60010.
• By FAX: CLICK HERE to downloaded a donation form or else call 1.800.YES.AMOA to request a form be sent to you. Return completed form to AMOA via FAX at: 847.428.7763.

All contributions are 100 percent tax–deductible. Donors will receive an acknowledgement via mail.

And, if that's not enough, all individuals who donate $25 or more will receive an official "Coin–Op Cares" flask!

The Education Sub–Committee for the Amusement Expo has been working to finalize plans for the FREE seminar series at this year's March 10–12, 2010 AAMA/AMOA Amusement Expo.

In an effort to minimize conflict with exhibit hours, the start of this year's show on the first day — Wednesday, March 10 — will be 1 p.m. This new afternoon opening provides showgoers with some exclusive, dedicated time for educational pursuits.

Here's how it is shaping up:

Wednesday, March 10:

• 8:00 - 9:15am - Redemption 2010
• 8:00 - 9:15am - New Ways to Jump Start League Programs
• 9:30 - 11:00am - Jukebox Connectivity and Networking: Issues and Answers
• 9:30 - 11:00am - Getting the Most out of Your Card Swipe Systems
• 11:30am - 12:30pm - Opening General Session on Social Networking

Friday, March 12:

• 8:00 - 9:30am - Operator of the Year Coin–Op Think Tank

For more details about the educational program, or for additional information — including how to register for the show — visit www.amusementexpo.org.