COCA Members Meet In Bloomington MN For The 9th Annual National Convention
A more extensive report on this year’s convention is available on the “MEMBER NEWS” page.
The weather was perfect on the third weekend in August when about 100 coin-op enthusiasts met for the ninth consecutive summer.
Many came in early on Thursday, and were treated to an early bird “Famous Dave's” BBQ hosted by Minnesota COCA member Ryan G. and Deb along with Ryan’s parents, Larry and Mary G. The evening event was held at Ryan’s lakeside home.
Friday morning began with a complimentary buffet breakfast at the host Hilton Hotel. The rest of the group arrived during the day and were welcomed at the registration desk by Marsha and David Blau. Marsha continues to do a superlative job as convention planning and operations chairwoman.
That afternoon everyone went to an open house at the home of Larry and Mary G.
Upon returning to the Hilton, members roamed the halls looking to find new goodies during room to room trading.
{image_1}That evening, a banquet dinner with cash bar was held in the ballroom. It was followed by an auction of 85 lots that members consigned. COCA member Jeff Scott called the bids while John Fifer and Mark Heston served as ring men.
There were three collections viewed on Saturday. They included one member’s world-class collection consisting of vending machines, numerous slot machines, trade stimulators, gambling memorabilia, toys, pin-up art, exceptional advertising and penny scales.
Our next stop was an entire home and garage, filled with a fun assortment of coin-op, including arcade machines, countertop games and pinball machines. It was like taking a trip back in time to the penny arcade that most of us remember from our youth.
Our last stop had almost every known basketball themed coin-op device ever made. This collection also included many other sports-themed games, including examples of baseball, hockey, bowling and football. These machines got a thorough work out.
Everyone met at lunch time for an Italian feast at Buca Di Beppo. This eatery is famous for their delicious large family style portions.
After a short late afternoon break at the Hilton everyone boarded the complimentary buses that took us into St. Paul for a dinner cruise on a Riverboat down the Mississippi. We glided down the river as the sun set and then returned to see the downtown lights of St. Paul’s bustling harbor.
As we dined on beef tenderloin and cruised along, we were entertained by the sounds of The Mississippi Minstrels Dixieland Band. Joining them was Kathryn Falk, Ken Rubin’s lovely wife. She volunteered to be guest soloist, serenading all aboard.
On Sunday, the group toured three more collections.
Kilroy’s is a retail game room store that also includes a collection of all types of coin-operated items, as well as gambling collectibles, advertising, automobilia and diner memorabilia.
Skyrock Farm offers horse riding and training lessons. Members were able to tour the horse barn and see over 40 horses and watch a horse jumping demonstration. Many chose to take a ride on a vintage amusement park train that traveled around the property.
Everyone listened to the happiest music on earth provided by the many antique automatic band and dance organs as they strolled through the carousel building and turn of the century ballroom.
The final stop was a return to the home of Ryan G, who also hosted the Thursday BBQ. All in attendance are grateful to everyone that opened their homes for touring and especially to Larry, Mary and Ryan, who chaired the convention and to Marsha Blau for planning, coordinating and directing a very successful convention.
View the Convention Photos of 2012 Minn Convention Here
Select “VIEW AS SLIDESHOW” for ease in viewing
Photos Courtesy of Don Mangels…...Thanks Don !!!
To view Don's photo's of past conventions please go to PHOTO GALLERY
- We are in need of digital pictres of the 2004 Ohio Convention and the 2005 California Convention. If you have any please CONTACT US
- Marsha is currently busy planning the next Annual COCA Convention to be held in Historic Boston Mass. at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Boston-Natick, in Boston, Massachusetts on August 23-25, 2013.
The convention committee is dedicated to making it another great coin-op event. For members planning to attend, we have reserved a block of rooms at our host hotel at the COCA rate of $125 plus applicable taxes.
Reservations can be made now by calling the hotel at 888-233-9527 or online by using this link:
If you are thinking of attending, rooms in the Boston area fill up quickly, so please make reservations early so that we can add more rooms if needed.
