Presentation Of First Mary Openshaw Memorial Award For Excellence
The Mary Openshaw Memorial Award For Excellence was inaugurated at AmEx 2004 - The 25th Irish Amusement Trade Exhibition, in memory of the late Mary Openshaw, the well known journalist who served the international amusement industry for over 35 years.
The first recipient of the award was Eduardo Antoja, President of Euromat - The European Federation of Coin Machine Associations, and it is awarded to him on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Euromat.
AmEx organiser Martin Dempsey said, "This is very appropriate as Mary was an international representative for Euromat. In addition to gathering information for the many trade publications she represented, she also spread the word about Euromat and when Euromat delegates visited Brussels for meetings they were invited to her home for informal get-togethers."
"The purpose of the award is to remind us of Mary and the contribution she made to the international amusement industry as a journalist. The award itself is a piece of Curragh Irish crystal to remind us of where Mary spent her retirement years."
"Finally, this is an Award For Excellence - the excellence with which Eduardo Antoja leads Euromat; the excellence which typified Mary's life and indeed the excellence which we seek in our own lives every day!"
Eduardo Antoja, President of Euromat said, "First, I wish to thank IAEA - The Irish Amusement Equipment Association, for their strong and continued support of Euromat since the association was founded. This event today is one more proof of this support."
"Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to know Mary Openshaw, but I wish to express my admiration of her and of all the women and men who, like Mary, understand that our life is a succession of good and bad moments, recognise the importance of friendship, of hospitality, of leisure, and communicate those values to their community, helping other people to be a little happier."
"The industry we represent is undergoing a tremendous change, the politicians and the regulators understand it or not, they like it or not. If in the past years Euromat was only a "watchdog", an "insurance", I firmly believe that those times are over."
"Either we decide to be proactive, and fight strongly for our own future, or perhaps our children and surely our grand children will not be able to be part of such a fantastic industry, devoted to providing happiness to others."
"Some big international companies want to take control of all tiers in amusement and gaming. Their efforts are legitimate, but we think, I personally think, that in this world there is room for everyone willing to work and live in peace."
"Now more than ever before, Euromat needs financial resources to let the business community know who we are and how we think and conduct ourselves. However, financial resources are nothing without a commitment; a commitment that clearly exists in IAEA and NIACTA, and that Euromat tries to develop."
PICTURED: Jon Sander, Secretary of NIACTA (Northern Ireland Amusement Caterers Trade Association); Eduardo Antoja, President of Euromat (European Federation Of Coin Machine Associations) and Jim McCann, President of IAEA (Irish Amusement Equipment Association), on the occasion of the presentation of the First Mary Openshaw Memorial Award For Excellence to Eduardo Antoja at AmEx 2004 - The 25th Irish Amusement Trade Exhibition in Dublin.
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