The Amusements industry voted with its feet for the iconic summer Park Avenue Open Day.
The Park Avenue Open Day continues to be a mainstay in the UK coin-op industry calendar, taking place once more on Wednesday 3 June at Electrocoin and UDC’s premises in North West London.
Conveniently located just off the North Circular Road, for the last 39 years the event has drawn those in the amusements world thanks to its concentration of businesses, technology and expertise, with a dozen companies making up the ‘Silicon Valley’ of London in an age when amusement machines were going through profound change with continuing technical and design updates.
All of them participated in the collective Open Day over the years with each one presenting their own entertainment and refreshments. As time went on, all but two companies relocated, leaving just Electrocoin and UDC, as next-door neighbours.
The current reinvigorated format has its own history of 20 years with Electrocoin’s warehouse thrown open to Amusement Industry companies, to showcase their products alongside Electrocoin’s own array of products to present to operators, regulators and industry pundits.
Support from the industry
More than 30 companies responded to the call to attend this year with Electrocoin hosting a champagne reception in the morning, followed by their legendary Greek Barbecue, along with UDC’s showcasing of their extensive stable of products in their own premises.
In turn, colleagues from across the industry supported the event as visiting delegates. Novomatic Gaming UK reinforced its backing, confirming its decision to extend its role for a third year as headline sponsor of the day, with UK Head, Kevin Temple and his team participating. Other participating companies donated to Bacta’s Charitable Trust in return for space allocation and there was also a raffle held for the charity.
Many operators from across the UK – and some from Europe – traditionally attend the Open Day, which is as much a socialising and networking event as a mini trade show. It is aimed at anyone who operates coin-op amusements, whether they run single (including travelling) arcades, or multi-site attractions, FECs, AGCs, bowling centres or any other business featuring coin-op equipment.
Many from across the industry including Bacta’s Charitable Trust Chair, John Bollom; Membership Service Officer (MSO) David Miller and EAG Chairman Nick Harding; along with EAG’s Show Director, Nicola Lazenby all attended the summer gathering.
The Showmen’s Guild Central Office were also on hand to discuss issues with opposite numbers at Bacta including Nick and Nicola, on the joint plans for greater participation of Showmen at EAG and co-located shows next January and support that they would find on arrival at ExCeL
Key products
Electrocoin showed its full range of products and popular FEC amusement portfolio: AWP and Slots; Galileo Redemption; Photo booths; Prize and Vending Games; Skill Games including the topical Football Champ; Stern Pinball, with new retro games, including their latest pinball ‘Transformers: More than meets the Eye’; making its first global launch to the public outside of the factory. This also included an appearance at Park Avenue by the Pinball Wizard himself, direct from Chicago.
They also presented Intercard’s cashless system, that we spoke to them about at length previously, on its worth at appropriate fairs and other venues; Ticket Redemption; their classic-looking triple presentation of Bar X and of course Electrocoin’s legendary Konami dance machine.
Electrocoin’s John A Stergides said: “Open Day is one of those events that manages to bring people together to talk about products and industry matters in a more relaxed environment.
“There was a lot to talk about this year nationally too, with further discussion on the Gambling Review.”
