While her music was playing in the background on a Touchtunes "Angelina" featured at the event, Maria Muldaur talked about how her first encounter with a jukebox was in 1947 when she was about five years old. Her image of that jukebox was a "magical colorful temple of music." She spoke about summer vacations at boarding houses in rural New York-New Jersey communities: "There was always a jukebox at these places for entertainment."

Growing up in Greenwich Village, Maria would hang out at neighborhood pizzerias with her friends where they would always play the jukebox.

"Early into my singing, a young man from Minnesota named Bob Dylan would say to me, 'Hey Maria... Why don't you play that I'm a Woman song?' This song I randomly heard on the jukebox that night went on to be my theme song! I recorded it in the 60s with the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, and then re-recorded it on my second solo album in 1974 with Dr. John and Paul Butterfield. It became my second biggest hit, reaching number 12 on the Billboard charts! I still open my shows with that song to this day!"

Maria explained how "Jukeboxes have long been an important feature of American culture. They provide a way for people from every spectrum of our society to be exposed to and enjoy all kinds of great music in a shared communal way, at all sorts of gathering places, diners, bars, clubs and more. I love jukeboxes and hope they will continue to be a part of our entertainment culture for many, many years to come!"

Serving as the AMOA-NY President for eighteen years, Ken Goldberg, an executive with Bar Partners (Woodside, New York), went into his blunt, frank "homily."

"The crisis of legalized online sports betting, now estimated at $150B in activity, is in direct competition to our businesses," he declared. "Half of all Americans between the ages of 18-49 have active online betting accounts. Gambling addiction is rapidly rising. It has only been ten years since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized sports betting, which is now present in 39 states and D.C. They even encourage it as a form of tax revenue."

"As an operator who has a family legacy spanning over eight decades, I fully understand how this $150B a year for online sports betting has severely damaged our industry... operators, distributors, equipment manufacturers, locations... we're all suffering."

"We are about six months away from when New York will award licenses to three giant casinos right in this area where we are holding our dinner, and three more around New York State. All of this was illegal not too many years ago."

"And let's not forget cannabis, which is now legal in New York and a number of states. When I see cannabis farmers and retailers even get encouraged with government grants, financial aid, and public taxpayer assistance... why isn't our industry entitled to the same?"

With leaders from AMOA-National sitting in the ballroom, including newly installed President Brian Brotsch from upstate New York, Goldberg invited the national organization to join forces with AMOA-NY "to demand government subsidies and more laws to enable our industry and help it flourish." Goldberg cited a list of AMOA-NY's successful achievements and leadership covering many issues.

"Online gaming, the lottery, casinos, horse racing, and cannabis all benefit from government subsidies, tax breaks, and favorable laws. Our industry deserves the same opportunities so we can fairly compete," Goldberg analyzed.

At this point, Mr. Goldberg introduced the 2025 "Man of the Year," Scott Avery, the President/Chief Operating Officer of Apple Industries, Inc. (Greenvale, New York). Goldberg described how: "Scott's leadership has been instrumental in guiding Apple to unprecedented heights. Under his stewardship, the company has continued to innovate and expand its product line, which features FacePlace Photo Booths and related products. He has helped to solidify Apple Industries' position as a global leader in the amusement industry. His strategic vision, coupled with a focus on culture and sustainable growth, has positioned Apple as a company that not only delivers cutting-edge, profitable products to operators but also delivers memorable experiences to millions of consumers each year." Throughout his tenure, Scott has cultivated enduring relationships with the most influential brands in entertainment, retail, and technology industries including Disney, Major League Baseball, Regal Cinemas, and, most recently, Hasbro. He consistently provides inventive business solutions and enhances business capabilities by expanding Apple's reach into new markets.

A surprise, special award was presented to Larry Hilmire, of Stanton Automatic, a long-time upstate New York operator. Michael Pace recognized Larry Hilmire for his solid reputation for many years as an operator, including his strong code of ethics. This was an initiative by Michael Pace, Founder-Chairman of Pace-O-Matic (Georgia). Mr. Pace said that he plans to present this "Pace Integrity Award" each year going forward.

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