AGEM
Bob McMonigle, David Orrick Honored as AGEM Memorial Awards Recipients
Robert “Bob” McMonigle, David Orrick Honored as Recipients of Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Memorial Awards Honoring Jens Halle And Peter Mead
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) announced today that the late Robert “Bob” McMonigle has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Jens Halle Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Commercial Gaming Professionalism, and David Orrick has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Peter Mead Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Gaming Media & Communications.
AGEM previously announced the creation of this unique annual awards program to acknowledge the lasting impacts on gaming by Halle and Mead, two distinctive industry veterans who died unexpectedly in 2015. Honorees are announced each year at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, and this year’s awards ceremony for McMonigle and Orrick will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 8:30 a.m. PST during the G2E Virtual Experience.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1944, McMonigle died on March 15, 2020 at 75 following a robust life both personally and professionally. He began his business career with Reader’s Digest magazine in New York City and went on to work in marketing and circulation for Rolling Stone and Outside during a career in magazines spanning 1979-1986. McMonigle then began his legendary career in gaming when he joined International Game Technology (IGT), where he spent 17 years and helped lead the company to the top of the list of global slot machine companies. He held many positions at IGT, ultimately Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations and North American Sales, and became widely regarded as the most successful slot salesman in gaming history, with IGT routinely receiving 70 percent market share of new casino openings as the riverboat gaming boom in the early 1990s led to explosive gaming expansion in the U.S. and around the world. McMonigle was also a driving force behind the founding of AGEM in 2000 and served as the organization’s first President through 2005 before moving on to work for a variety of other gaming-supplier companies.
“Bob McMonigle helped establish AGEM and create a path for our organization going forward and all supplier companies have benefitted from his vision,” said AGEM President Luke Orchard, who also serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance & Risk Management Officer for IGT. “And I can say from an IGT perspective, Bob’s presence is felt every day here based on his incredible success selling our games and machines going back to the beginning of the riverboat gaming era. Like Jens Halle, Bob’s reputation for forging positive relationships with operators throughout the industry is legendary. AGEM is honored to present this award to Bob’s wife, Joni, and his memory and impact on our industry will live on.”
An Englishman born in Dumfries, Scotland, in 1949, Orrick, 71, is a 27-year veteran of the gaming industry and currently serves as Director of Industry Relations for AGEM Gold Member Merkur Gaming, part of Germany’s Gauselmann Group. Orrick started in the gaming industry in 1993 as editor of Euroslot magazine after a 17-year career as a motorsport journalist, editor, author and publisher and also served as founder, editor and publisher of Casino International magazine before joining Spanish slot machine manufacturer Recreativos Franco, S.A as International Communications Manager in 1997. He then served as Director of Communications for Unidesa Gaming and Systems before moving to Novomatic in 2007 as Communications & Business Development Director of Austrian Gaming Industries (AGI) GmbH, where he joined Jens Halle to assist AGI’s expansion into new markets, as well as being Communications Director of Novomatic’s UK subsidiary Astra Games Limited.
“The relationship between David Orrick and Jens Halle is well-known in our industry, but David stands alone this year in deserving this award honoring the memory of Peter Mead,” AGEM Executive Director Marcus Prater said. “We always let the nominating criteria guide the selection of these AGEM Memorial Awards, and David fits the bill in so many ways as first a gaming journalist and later as the head of communications for many respected international gaming suppliers. He has traveled the world representing our industry with both a gruff scrutiny and a positive twinkle in his eye. And finally, it needs to be noted that in the aftermath of the passing of both Jens and Peter, it was David who initially brought the idea of annual memorial awards to AGEM that we launched and have expanded over the past five years.”
Halle, a longtime Bally and Novomatic executive in Europe who was most recently CEO of Gauselmann Group’s Merkur Gaming based in Florida, died suddenly on May 20, 2015 at the age of 57. Mead, the founder and publisher of Casino Enterprise Management magazine, died suddenly in Las Vegas on June 24, 2015 at the age of 54.
Current gaming professionals were nominated for these memorial awards based on the following criteria that aim to capture the unique attributes displayed by Halle and Mead during their storied careers:
Jens Halle Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Commercial Gaming Professionalism
“Nominees must have experience working in the global gaming supplier sector for a minimum of 10 years and possess the following traits and qualities that Jens displayed throughout his working life: Professionalism, business success, international scope, attention to detail and timely follow-up; a willingness to ‘go the extra mile,’ both figuratively and literally; a sense of humanity in an oft-times cutthroat business; a recognition of the importance of a handshake and a fair deal for all; and a dedication to the health of the industry as a whole.”
Peter Mead Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Gaming Media & Communications
“Nominees must have experience working in the mainstream media, gaming trade press or individual gaming company PR/communications for a minimum of 10 years and possess the following traits and qualities that Peter displayed throughout his working life: Quality reporting and communication with an emphasis on personal contact to generate ideas and gather information; taking risks and questioning the status quo; challenging the industry to consider new ideas; and identifying trusted partners to improve the overall product.”
Ainsworth Game Technology founder Len Ainsworth and former Las Vegas Review-Journal gaming columnist Howard Stutz were the initial recipients of the AGEM Memorial Awards program in 2016. Since then, gaming legends Rick Meitzler, Gavin Isaacs, Tom Nieman and now McMonigle have received the Jens Halle Award, and communications leaders Roger Gros, Frank Legato, the late Dave Palermo and now Orrick have received the Peter Mead Award.
AGEM is a non-profit international technology trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, game content, table games, online technology, sports betting, key components and support products and services for the gaming industry. AGEM works to further the interests of gaming equipment suppliers throughout the world. Through political action, regulatory influence, trade show partnerships, educational alliances, information dissemination and good corporate citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create benefits for every company within the organization. Together, AGEM has assisted regulatory agencies and participated in the legislative process to solve problems and create a business environment where AGEM members can prosper while providing a strong level of support to education and responsible gaming initiatives. For more information, visit www.AGEM.org.
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AGEM
Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter Praises United States Industry Thought-Leaders
Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter (pictured) has praised senior members of the United States-based global gaming industry for their ‘hospitality, time and expert insight’ during a recent fact-finding and engagement visit to Las Vegas.
During three days spent in the capital of gaming the Clarion Gaming team held meetings with C-Suite executives from GLI, Light & Wonder, Interblock, BMM, AGEM, Konami, IGT, MGM, Aristocrat and Fontainebleau Casino in the process updating stakeholders on a range of developments not least the decision to relocate ICE and sister show iGB Affiliate to Barcelona from 2025.
Reflecting on the visit, Hunter said: “Las Vegas never ceases to surprise and excite and being able to meet with many of the most influential industry personalities in what is regarded as being the world capital of gaming was invaluable. Everyone we met was extremely generous with their time and I would like to place on record my thanks to them and to Clarion Gaming’s United States team comprising Tom Nieman and Roy Student for putting our meeting itinerary together.
“I have always felt it absolutely essential that we continue to immerse ourselves in the industry sectors we serve and take each and every opportunity to listen to every word spoken by industry thought leaders. Being able to engage with our exhibitors about how they see the business developing and listening to the views of personalities such as the Chief Executive Officer for MGM, Bill Hornbuckle, were priceless.
“There was unanimous support for the decision to move ICE to Barcelona in 2025. Many of the Las Vegas-based ICE exhibitors we met with also have a strong presence and infrastructure in Spain with many predicting that the new end of January timeline that avoids clashing with Super Bowl will result in more C-Level members of the United States industry attending ICE. In addition, they believe the new Barcelona location will also support growth from the Latin America region.
“Our exclusive focus is now on delivering a phenomenal edition of ICE 2024; one that will live long in the memories of the many thousands of international industry professionals who view ICE as their most important industry event of the year. Based on the meetings we held, our exhibitors have very grand plans to make 2024 the greatest edition of ICE, so far.”
AGEM
David Lucchese, Everi’s Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Digital, Appointed President of AGEM
Everi Holdings Inc., the casino gaming industry’s single source provider of gaming products, financial technology and loyalty solutions, announced today that David Lucchese, its Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Digital, has been appointed President of AGEM (Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers). Mr. Lucchese’s two-year term began January 12, 2021.
“AGEM is very pleased to welcome David Lucchese as our President for the next two years,” said Marcus Prater, Executive Director of AGEM. “His vast experience and deep understanding of the issues facing gaming suppliers will serve him well as we navigate a difficult path brought on by the pandemic. We will forge ahead under his leadership and the overall gaming industry will emerge from this in a better position by working together to promote a spirit of cooperation championed by Dave, the AGEM Officers, and our member companies.”
“I am delighted that my peers have selected me as the newest President of AGEM,” said Mr. Lucchese. “I look forward to working with the entire AGEM leadership team and our member companies, maintaining the collaborative efforts which have served us well throughout the years. Together, we will continue to ensure that the voices of AGEM’s worldwide members are heard on important political, regulatory, problem gambling and other matters”.
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AGEM and GLI Donate $120,000 to the National Museum of the American Indian’s new National Native American Veterans Memorial through their Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®) committed $120,000 to the National Museum of the American Indian’s new National Native American Veterans Memorial. The donation is part of the AGEM/GLI Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative, through which they collaborate to create a “lasting impact” inside the gaming industry and beyond.
The National Native American Veterans Memorial is part of the Smithsonian Museum collection. The museum is celebrating its opening with a virtual program tomorrow, November 11, and the event can be seen at AmericanIndian.si.edu.
Situated on the National Mall, a place that draws nearly 24 million visitors annually, the memorial will honor American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans and symbolize the country’s respect for Native Americans’ service and patriotism.
“We are proud to contribute to this important, poignant, and lasting memorial that will be a permanent reminder on The National Mall of the commitment Native American veterans, their families, and governments have made to the United States. Per capita, for decades, Native Americans have had the highest percentage of representation in the military, 1.7 percent of total troops both enlisted and officer, even though overall they represent only 1.4 percent of the total U.S. population, a statistic which is a source of great pride to Tribal members and Tribal governments,” said GLI President/CEO James R. Maida. “The National Museum of the American Indian does tremendous work bringing awareness to the non-Native community about the history and contributions of Native Americans. This Memorial represents yet another important contribution. GLI is honored to be a part of the National Native American Veterans Memorial representing respect and recognition to Native American veterans and their commitment to their Country.”
“AGEM enthusiastically joins our philanthropic partner GLI and Tribal gaming interests across the country in supporting this important new addition to the National Mall for all the world to experience when they visit Washington,” AGEM Executive Director Marcus Prater said. “All veterans who have served our country deserve proper recognition and this memorial celebrates the important role Native American veterans have played in defending our country and giving us the freedoms we enjoy today.”
About the Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative
The Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative is a multi-year effort aimed at identifying worthy causes that will utilize direct contributions to flourish over the long term and provide a variety of assistance to multiple beneficiaries. The www.AGEMGLIimpact.org website is an ongoing source of information about this collective effort.
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