TechFest, 2001 - For Slot Techs Only!
The World's Largest Gathering of Slot Machine Technicians
How Much Did They Learn in 3 Days?

64 slot techs from across the country and as far away as the island nation of St. Maarten joined the gaming industry's top engineers, technicians, technical writers and instructors for 3 days of technical seminars and presentations at TechFest, 2001.

The sold-out event was held at the Las Vegas facility of Happ Controls in Las Vegas, Nevada.


Featured presentations from: 

Asahi Seiko 
Coin Mechanisms, Inc. 
JCM 
Mars 
MicroTouch 
Sencore 

Extensive use of closed-circuit television allowed everyone to see the smallest details of repair and test procedures. Here, JCM's Jack Geller and Tom Talbot demonstrate the calibration procedeure for their bill validator. 

This was a powerful presentation. Commented Charlie Wilson, slot repair manager for Cache Creek Indian Bingo & Casino, "Invite those guys EVERY time. Invaluable tidbits of info related to those bill acceptors.  Good instructors, well focused."
Slot techs from around the country and as far away as St. Maarten enjoyed three days of technical presentations at TechFest, 2001.  Click on the photo for a higher resolution look.

Attendees include Henry Wright, Jeff Turner AC-Coin & Slot Nevada, Bill Sherrill Alturas Casino, Bryan Cipolla, Charles Minnis Argosy Casino, Charles Wilson, David Lampe, Jason Simons Cache Creek Indian Bingo & Casino, Jim Brown Carlo Worldwide, Annette Esparza, Gloria Alvarez, Juan Mario Zamora, Mark Hoeffner Casino of the Sun, Tim Jones Exchange Club, Mark Fink Fortune Bay Resort & Casino, Victor Knight Gold Ranch Casino, Dick Reihner, Troy Hester Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall, John Bowie Imperial Palace Hotel, Kirk Warren Integrity Gaming, Frank Moreno International Racing & Sports Consultants, Kirk Romero, Michael La Scala, William Bowden Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, Daniel Salazar, Juan Palomo, Ray Jimenez Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, Randy Cook, Larry Taylor KLA-MO-YA Casino, Dan Hough, Robert Ponce KONOCTI Vista Casino, Glenn Chumbley, Tonia Slaughter, Allen Holder Mazatzal Casino, Cynthia Spence, David Chavez MGM Grand, Mitch Bialczak, Steven Scoggins Mitch’s Slots, Roger Read, Tom Rollman Oregon State Lottery, Ron Stone Santa Fe Station Casino, Jotham Fuentes, Pedro Acosta Seminole Indian Casino, Geoff Gipe, Robbie Addis Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino, David Frias, Rafael “Shorty” Gomez Speaking Rock Casino, Fred Beltran Stockman’s Casino, Derek Tabor, Virgil Lindblade The Mill Casino Hotel, Brian Kane, Duayne Steiner, Jeff Highum, Matt Olson Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Clay Christensen, Cliff Picard, Jeremy Barkley, Preston Eagleheart Wildhorse Resort & Casino, Tony Griffin Yavapai Gaming Agency, Jim Ellis & Daniel Ingster
IGT game design engineer Joe Kaminkow was a featured guest speaker at TechFest, 2001. He expressed his appreciation for what the gaming industry's slot machine technicians do every day "in the trenches."
"Very useful stuff. Randy was excellent." - Mark Hoeffner, Casino of the Sun, Tucson, AZ
Frank Happ (left) generously provided the venue for TechFest, 2001 at his parts house in Las Vegas. Happ Controls also sponsored luncheon on the opening day of the TechFest. On the right, Medeco's Michael Kennedy and Nick Sollazo descuss their removable core locks that allow a lock to be replaced in just seconds. Medeco High Security Locks sponsored luncheon on the third and final day of the TechFest.