Amusement & Music Operators Association

When it comes to meting out awards, the Amusement & Music Operators Association is somewhat stingy these days. Years ago, the association liberally distributed honors to recording artists and industry equipment makers, but those were, over time, discontinued and abandoned.

Yes, the association gratefully acknowledges the important work and service to the organization by volunteer leaders at our annual membership meeting and has presented other industry organizations with plaques of recognition on occasion.

Probably the best known awards initiative that AMOA currently has in play is conducted in conjunction with the annual Amusement Expo: The Innovator Award, which pays tribute to exhibiting firms who introduce new and exciting items to the trade. AMOA is miserly in bestowing that honor, too, which makes it the coveted piece of hardware it continues to be.

When I think about it, AMOA has shied away from "Person of the Year" or "Annual Lifetime Achievement" type recognition programs. We're downright skimpy in doling out individual accolades.

I can think of only two people outside the association's volunteer leadership ranks who have been recognized with awards in the past decade: Elliott Portnoy, chairman of SNR Denton, who served as AMOA's Legislative Counsel for many years and was the point person in directing AMOA's (and the industry's) efforts on the video game content front; and the late Dr. Jerry Sequin, who was instrumental in starting and sustaining the association's Management Program at the University of Notre Dame.

Next month, AMOA will add a third person to the exclusive club when the Board recognizes the recently-retired head of its long-time trade show management firm: Bill Glasgow of W.T. Glasgow, Inc.

Bill has accepted the invitation to attend the AMOA Mid-Year Board meeting next month in Beaver Creek, Colo., and will receive his well-deserved award on Monday, Sept. 24, during the semiannual Board of Directors meeting.

AMOA may be a bit tightfisted on the awarding of awards, but then again, you know it's pretty darn special when we do. AMOA looks forward to handing off the honor to Bill.