InterGame has taken the unprecedented step of making a special award for outstanding services to the amusement industry to Gerry Robinson, the long-experienced trade shows and associations entrepreneur.
Robinson, who is currently undergoing long-term medical treatment but who insists on continuing to keep his various interests and organisations going, was the first recipient of an InterGame Certificate of Appreciation.
It states: “Awarded to Gerry Robinson in recognition of valuable services to the coin-operated games, gaming and amusement business.”
His Trade Shows International was the start-up point for a number of trade shows in different industries, particularly between 1972 and 1988, including some well-known names such as the International Toy Fair, but it was his interests in amusements and gaming which were to make him so well known in our industry.
He was the founder of, or a significant contributor to, the main Amusement and Leisure Trade Fair in the Czech Republic, Coin-op and Amusements in Poland, LeisureIndia, the Theme Parks and Fun Centre Show in Dubai, the Greek Casino Equipment Show, RAAPA in Moscow, the Euro Amusement Show in Vienna, and Surexpo in Poland.
Robinson was either a founder, owner or had a profound influence in the start-up, organisation or arrangement of associated conferences, with these and a number of other gaming industry events.
His trade shows involvement include the RAAPA international representative, the founder member and secretary of the Amusement and Leisure Equipment Suppliers (ALES), administrative office of the Amusement Industry Council of Europe, and was for seven years chairman of the International Council of IALEI, the FEC association. He is also currently secretary of the Middle East Leisure and Attractions Council.
Declining health has caused him to step down from much of his trade organisation work, including ALES. David Snook, a partner in InterGame, said: “This kind of acknowledgement of the contribution which Gerry Robinson has made to the wider amusement industry is long overdue.
“My partner Christine Butterworth and I are indebted to Wolf Vierich of the Vitala Group for bringing this matter to our attention. As Wolf put it to us: ‘It is wrong that our industries never seem to have got around to honouring Gerry for the many positive contributions he has made globally.’
“That puts it better than we could have. All we have done is gone some small way to putting the matter right.”
Gerry Robinson commented after receiving his framed certificate: “It is very flattering when one receives an accolade from within one’s own industry and from, in my opinion, the best group of media that serves it.”
