Well, knowing that most people probably won't go to the poll site and post or read, I'm posting my opinion here too.
Looks like the NAME merger has the lead, but I didn't vote for it and here is why.
I think the name merger is indeed big news....but overall I rank it second on my list. Here's why. I think it will be THE BIG story of 2005. Right now, it's basically just a plan and has really not had a major effect on the industry. Therefore, although it is big news, it's bigger story is yet to be revealed.
I think the biggest story of 2004 is the disappearance of AB. I mean, after 50 plus years of being about THE ONLY news source for the showman on a regular, weekly basis it is now gone. This publication was held in such esteem, many called it the Showmen's Bible....and now, unless a showman has internet access, it has become very difficult to get information on what's going on out there.
You'd be surprised the number of show owners I speak to on a fairly regular basis and one of the first things they ask is "What are you hearing and what's the news?" They miss the "Jackpots" section and the "On The Earie" section and yes, even the stories about their shows, those of their competitors and shows they never see.
So while I agree that NAME is indeed a big development, its effect in 2004 has been nominal since it mainly occured at the end of the year. However, with that said, I have no doubt it will lead the way in 2005.
BTW, I am gonna sue MCW and CNY for RICO! The poll isn't counting my vote. I think it's rigged. RIIICCCOOOO RRRRRIIIICCCOOOOO I CRY! LMAO.
For what it's worth, my ranking of the top 5 and reasoning looks like this...if anyone cares. If not, skip on. LOL
1. AB Switching from weekly to monthly/electronic - see above.
2. NAME merger - For obvious reasons but it has had little effect in
2004. I look at this as being the big story in '05.
EVERYONE will be closely following this.
3. The Ohio Electrocution Sentencing - This has set a new precedent.
Sure, B&B got held responsible for the Himalaya
tragedy a few years back, but, this one trickled
down and there were many people held responsible.
Although in the end, Gene Chaffee took the brunt of
it because an 80 year old fair board electrician
decided to use a little "southern engineering".
4. The Sizzler/Gravitron Accidents - shut both very popular rides
down on midways across America. For some small
shows, these are among their highest grossing rides
and they could not run the pieces until Wisdom and
inspectors figured out what the problems were.
5. NCSF Sentencing/Reithoffer Bid Win/Strates RICO suit - Probably
the biggest single controversy of the past couple of
years and maybe of the decade.