Amusement Expo International Signs 3-Year Deal With Bob Cooney To Host VR Arcade Conference

6th Annual VR Arcade Game Summit Scheduled March 27-28th 2023 in Las Vegas

Chicago, IL – October 6, 2022 – After five years of continuous growth, the organizers of Amusement Expo International have signed a new 3-year deal with VR Arcade Game Summit creator and host Bob Cooney. Under the terms of the agreement, Cooney will continue to curate the education program, recruit sponsors, and act as emcee and moderator for the expanded 2-day VR arcade conference through 2025.

The VR Arcade Game Summit is the only education program focused on the location-based virtual reality business. VR continues to grow as the premium experience delivery platform for immersive entertainment experiences at family entertainment centers, trampoline and adventure parks, bowling centers, theme parks and more. While the expansion of VR arcade games was stunted during the pandemic, location-based VR has come roaring back in popularity.

The Amusement Expo International has roots that go back to debuted in 2010 when the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) combined their successful trade shows into a big spring trade event for the multi-billion-dollar amusement industry. Today, it attracts over 3000 attendees and more than 200 companies exhibiting the latest in arcade and amusement games, virtual reality, laser tag, music, bulk vending, ATMs and more.

“Video games are the number one form of entertainment”, commented Bob Cooney. “It’s bigger than movies, television, or music. The video game industry was born of the arcade business and virtual reality is repeating that trend. The best VR experiences are in arcades, shopping centers, and family entertainment centers. The VR Arcade Game Summit is where industry leaders come together to discuss how we stay ahead of the experience curve, so we don’t cede the market to the home again.”

“Bob held the first-ever location-based VR arcade conference five years ago at the AEI show, and it’s grown year on year since then,” said AAMA EVP Pete Gustafson.  “Today it’s arguably the best VR education and networking event of the year.  The Summit attracts individuals and companies from around the world who want to learn more about this cutting-edge technology and exhibit their VR products and services to a motivated group of buyers.  We’re thrilled the VR Arcade Game Summit will continue to be an integral part of the AEI into the future.”   

“The VR Arcade Game Summit has added an exciting new dimension to Amusement Expo International’s education lineup over the past five years.  Attendees come eager to learn the latest in leading-edge technology and Bob Cooney delivers a complete program covering all aspects of VR and immersive entertainment,” stated Lori Schneider, AMOA Executive Vice President.  “We’re thrilled to have Bob return for the foreseeable future as a key contributor in educating AEI’s ever-expanding audience.”

The entire location-based VR ecosystem is invited to attend the VR Arcade Game Summit. Game publishers and developers, real estate developers, amusement operators, entertainment studios, technology providers, and anyone interested in playing a role in this exploding industry is welcome. The VR Game Summit at Amusement Expo will take place at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas March 27th and 28th. For the latest information go to www.amusementexpo.org

About Bob Cooney

Bob Cooney is the creator of the original location-based VR arcade conference, and widely considered the leading expert in the location-based virtual reality industry. Cooney is a global speaker, moderator, and futurist covering VR, augmented reality and the metaverse. His mission is to prepare people for the massive change coming as these and other emerging technologies begin impacting every aspect of our lives.

About The Amusement Expo

AEI is co-owned by a pair of industry trade associations: the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) coin-op.org and the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) amoa.com. It’s the biggest spring trade event for the amusement and location-based entertainment industry.

About AAMA
The American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) is an international, not-for-profit 501(c)6 trade organization representing the manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and location owner/operators for the coin-operated amusement industry. Our mission is to preserve, protect and promote our industry through legislative advocacy, education, events, networking and member programs.

About AMOA

The Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) is a national not-for-profit 501(c)6 trade association. For 75 years, AMOA has been the voice of, and advocate for, those individuals and companies engaged in the currency-activated amusement, vending, music and family entertainment equipment business.

Key Photos from 2022 VR Arcade Conference

Event Management

For more information or to register for the 2023 AEI contact Event Manager Brian Glasgow at 708.226.1300 or email Brian or visit the show’s official website: AmusementExpo.org.

Contact:

Pete Gustafson, AAMA Executive Vice President

email Pete Gustafson

Lori Schneider, AMOA Executive Vice President

email Lori Schneider

Bob Cooney, VR Arcade Game Summit

email Bob Cooney