Posts By :

Sally Cohen

2024 BIG INNOVATION AWARD WINNER – SETH DAVIS

2024 BIG INNOVATION AWARD WINNER – SETH DAVIS 300 268 GAD Vending
CHICAGO, IL – January, 2024 – The Business Intelligence Group named 11 executives, 47 companies, and 108 products as leaders and winners of the 2024 BIG Innovation Awards. This annual business awards program recognizes organizations, products, and people that are bringing new ideas to life in innovative ways.

“Humanity relies on innovation to improve our lives and the planet,” said Maria Jimenez, chief nominations officer, Business Intelligence Group. “We are so proud to reward the products, people and companies helping to improve the lives of so many people.”

Organizations from across the globe submitted their recent innovations for consideration in the BIG Innovation Awards. Nominations were judged by a select group of business leaders and executives who volunteered their time and expertise to score submissions.

Congrats to Stern Pinball’s CEO and President, Seth Davis on winning an award in the Entertainment Industry. Through constant innovation and evolution of our pinball product, Stern Pinball continues to lead the charge on connecting people to the ultimate gaming experience…pinball!

 

About Insider Connected

Insider Connected is a comprehensive technology initiative to connect the universe of Stern pinball machines. The platform is designed to enhance and extend player engagement with the games across both home and commercial environments. It also presents professional operators of the pinball machines a robust set of tools to drive location play, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the machines.

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com. Players can also register at a connected game by scanning a registration QR code on the machine. Once a player registers, they are issued a unique QR Code that can be used to identify that player at any connected Stern pinball machine anywhere in the world. When a player scans into the machine, they can track progress, earn new game specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.

“Insider Connected is transforming how players interact with pinball machines. Operators are benefiting from new tools that drive repeat play and help maintain games remotely while players can earn special entertainment location badges,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games, and experiences.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise. Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond 007, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man. A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

Jaws Gameplay Premiere

Jaws Gameplay Premiere 1039 539 GAD Vending

Elvira Insider Connected Quest

Elvira Insider Connected Quest 308 324 GAD Vending

What better way to ring in 2024 than with Insider Connected and some new badges to achieve!

Especially if you are enduring the snow and cold. GAD has Elvira Premium in stock and ready for delivery, pick up or shipping (location dependent!) Available for home use (we set to “free play”), commercial office or game room.

Elvira is calling to all you ghouls and goblins, get going with our January monthly quests! Starting on New Year’s Day, embark on a journey to complete Elvira’s Haunted Capture Quest along with (2) seasonal quest. Collect all (5) unique Elvira badges and claim the ultimate prize – the exclusive “Elvira’s Blood Red Kiss” Badge. 🌙 🧛‍♀️

Contact your closest GAD office!

GAD is 40!

GAD is 40! 500 323 GAD Vending

GAD is celebrating our 40th year as a small business!

We are so excited to be celebrating our 40th year in business. Over the years we have expanded to three, strong offices in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas City. We sell across 6 states in the Midwest and ship equipment parts all over the US.

Look out for happenings all year to celebrate with us. We’ll be announcing various anniversary celebrations over 2024 – and look forward to celebrations with our customers, vendors and team.

What to do in January? Pinball!

What to do in January? Pinball! 2048 1363 GAD Vending

January is such a let down after the holidays, but it doesn’t have to be. Pinball can be such fun!

Take a look at how to get involved in pinball events near you.

IFPA

The IFPA has created the World Pinball Player Rankings (WPPR) to establish the first official rankings system of pinball players throughout the world. Through these endorsed tournaments and leagues, the IFPA  crowns the World’s Greatest Pinball Player at the end of each calendar year and organizes championships at State, National and International levels. IFPA endorsed tournaments will give players a chance to increase their WPPR rankings.

Some operators and players may remember the original IFPA from the early 1990s. Utilizing the support from the AMOA, manufacturers and operators, the original IFPA promoted pinball playing through tournament and league play. It hosted four world class pinball competitions and helped promote over 30 pinball leagues before becoming inactive in 1995.

The new IFPA begins life as an organization eager to provide assistance, direction and proven methodologies to insure the success of competitive pinball. Search here for events near you. 

Stern Pinball Army

Members of the Stern Army are the official brand ambassadors that make up the Stern Pinball street team.  Stern Army Members help make pinball locations flourish by creating and hosting monthly pinball events at a designated location and using these opportunities to help drive business to the location all while engaging and enriching the local pinball community. Stern Pinball helps by offering prize support to giveaway at your events and by also sharing the results through our social media channels to help promote your location. 

Learn more about joining the Stern Army! 

Where to play? 

There are so many great places to play pinball. Find locations near you on the Pinball Map, Pinside Map or at the Stern Pinball locator.

If you are looking for a new pinball game or can’t find what you are looking for – call your nearest GAD office. We are pinball enthusiasts too!

What’s New? Jaws

What’s New? Jaws 1039 539 GAD Vending

CHICAGO, IL – January 4, 2024 – Stern Pinball, Inc. announces their newest pinball games featuring JAWS, one of the most iconic motion picture thrillers of all time from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.  Players will experience all four blockbuster JAWS films like never before, with brand-new mechanical features inspired by iconic movie moments and state-of-the-art technology.  JAWS pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

JAWS transports players to the fictional locale of Amity Island, located off the coast of Long Island, New York.  The small fishing community is a popular beach vacation location in the summer.  As Fourth of July vacationers close in on the island’s picturesque beaches, grave danger lurks below sea level… The Amity Island mayor covers up the shark attacks out of fear of losing the island’s tourism money, resulting in more terrifying attacks.

Stern’s JAWS pinball games will have players grabbing their harpoons and playing as Quint, Hooper, and Brody to save Amity Island’s residents and the Fourth of July!  As the grizzled fishermen, tackle the most dangerous ocean creatures on the planet.  Tension mounts as you see “blood in the water” from our animated lighting effects.  Fire pinballs at the motorized “Shark Fin” target swimming across the playfield.  Anticipation builds as you navigate the “Orca Boat” upper playfield, featuring a “Lookout Tower” ramp, a ship’s wheel horizontal spinner on the deck, and a “Radio” stand-up target to call for help.  Lookout!  A motorized custom sculpted “Great White Shark” bash toy comes crashing through the bottom of a fishing boat, terrorizing players in this thrilling pinball odyssey.  Will you survive JAWS?!

In addition to immersive film and audio assets integrated into pinball action, JAWS includes custom speech by actor Richard Dreyfuss and the iconic movie theme music by John Williams.

“Honoring one of the greatest movie franchises of all time, we’re giving JAWS our most advanced software and hardware to date,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball, “We can’t wait to debut JAWS Pinball’s heart-pounding gameplay to the world!”

JAWS pinball games include Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in multiple ways.  Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, hunt Achievements, take on special JAWS Quests, and work on their lifetime Bounty Hunter rank.

Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through a better player experience, game location discovery, location leaderboards, performance analysis, automatic code updates, and remote diagnostics for easier maintenance.  Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/ or in the Insider Connected App.  Download it today on iOS and Android.

Limited to 1,000 games globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes a full-color mirrored backglass based on the iconic JAWS movie poster by world-renowned artist Roger Kastel, full-color reflective foil high-definition cabinet decal with hand-drawn artwork by Michael Barnard, exclusive custom “Great White” powder-coated pinball armor, Speaker Expression Lighting with JAWS-themed game effects (sonar, water, blood in the water, and more!), a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, exclusive inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern President & CEO Seth Davis and Chairman & Founder Gary Stern.

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

 *MSRP for sales to USA end-users before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.                              

Pro Edition:                                                     $US 6,999

Premium Edition:                                            $US 9,699

Limited Edition:                                              $US 12,999

JAWS pinball games and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide.

About Insider Connected

Insider Connected is a comprehensive technology initiative to connect the universe of Stern pinball games.  The platform increases player engagement with the games across commercial and home environments.

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com or in the Insider Connected App.  Download it today on iOS and Android.  Players can also register at a connected game by scanning a registration QR code on the machine.  Once a player registers, they are issued a unique QR Code that identifies that player at Stern pinball games anywhere in the world.  When a player scans into the game, they can track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.

“Insider Connected is transforming how players interact with pinball games.  Operators benefit from new tools that drive repeat play and help maintain games remotely.  At the same time, players can earn special entertainment location badges,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games, and experiences.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.  Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games, from professional pinball players competing in high-stakes global competitions to novice players discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.  To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

About JAWS

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, JAWS set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry.  When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled fisherman (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again.  Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, JAWS remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

###

 All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

GAD is taking pre-orders for Jaws Pinball for both home and commercial use now!

New! AMI Atom Jukebox

New! AMI Atom Jukebox 2048 1586 GAD Vending

The Atom Jukebox, a lightweight powerhouse weighing just 33 pounds, sets a new standard for jukebox technology. Its compact size and portability make it the ideal music companion for any space, from cozy diners to lively bars or expansive entertainment venues. Offering a solo install feature, it eliminates the need to wait for a crew, ensuring a hassle-free setup.

The Atom jukebox boasts a small footprint: less than 2′ H and 19″ W – perfect for venues where wall space is at a premium. At only 33 lbs, this easily transportable and easily shippable jukebox weighs the same as a microwave oven. And if that doesn’t impress you, this will – a completely straightforward and hassle free 1 person installation!

Because it’s from AMI, you can count on it to deliver the same sound and quality as previous jukeboxes. The Atom jukebox is compact, yet complete entertainment package of music, videos, and digital signage.

  • Give your guest access to AMI’s digital catalog of millions of songs, including entire albums, timeless classics and the newest hits.
  • Utilize content filtering to tailor the available music selection at your venues, aligning perfectly with their desired ambiance and vibe.
  • Use AMI Ad Manager to craft, plan and manage your unique ads for display on the jukebox and connected TV’s.
  • Deliver captivating in-venue entertainment with tens of thousands of selectable music videos that play on TVs you connect to the Atom jukebox.

Transportation has never been simpler—thanks to the Atom’s lightweight design, cost-effective shipping options are now available, whether it’s through popular carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS, or by easy collection from local distributors. With its competitive pricing and an advanced computer core allowing swift component swaps, the Atom stands as a cost-efficient solution to replace outdated jukeboxes, ushering in a new era of seamless and uninterrupted music entertainment. Step into the future of jukebox technology with the Atom, where innovation and music converge effortlessly.

GAD is a certified distributor of AMI digital music jukeboxes. Look to GAD for sales, support and service of all your venues’ digital music needs.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 748 419 GAD Vending

Wishing you a safe and happy New Year’s celebration with lots and lots of pinball….

Happy Holidays – Just More Time to Play Pinball…

Happy Holidays – Just More Time to Play Pinball… 714 401 GAD Vending

GAD will close early on December 22 for the holiday and will be closed on Monday, December 25.

GAD will be open Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29 with an early closing time.

GAD will be closed Monday, January 1.

Enjoy the holidays with your friends, family and loved ones.

What does everyone want for the holidays? Pinball

What does everyone want for the holidays? Pinball 715 404 GAD Vending

GAD Knows Pinball 

And, we stock lots of pinball. Check out our Pinball Catalog for lots more information. 

How about everyone’s favorite action hero? James Bond 007

The highly collectible James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition pinball machine highlights the entire franchise of 25 films, all James Bond actors, villains, and henchmen. GAD stocks 007 and we have the 60th Anniversary Limited Edition available.

Stern Pinball’s James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition pinball machines will immerse players in the history of 007.  Limited to 500 machines globally, the rare 60th Anniversary Limited Edition offers players a one-of-a-kind pinball experience.  Control the chaos from Oddjob’s kinetic spinning disc hat as you battle villains and utilize special gadgets.  Survive tactical precision shots against 10 drop targets as you start Mission Multiball mayhem.  Escape SPECTRE’s evil henchmen as you navigate pinballs through 4 fast-flowing optical spinners.  Like a hidden gadget from Q Branch, learn your assignments through a custom LCD screen located inside the playfield and watch your high scores rack up on the unique classic-style mechanical score reels.

Log into our award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in a variety of ways.  Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.  Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through Location Leaderboards, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the machines.  Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/.

Commemorating this exclusive pinball machine, the James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition includes the official James Bond 007 pinball topper, an exclusive full-color mirrored backglass inspired by 60 years of James Bond, custom high gloss and powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, an exclusive Union Jack pinball shooter knob, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern Chairman Gary Stern and President & CEO Seth Davis.

What About Your Favorite Rock Band? 

Why not fill the house (garage, office or man cave) with your favorite rock band and pinball?

GAD stocks (at the time of this writing – some may have been sold out!) –

  • Foo Fighters Pro and Premium
  • Iron Maiden Pro and Premium
  • Guns ‘n Roses – on order

Marvel Fans Rejoice

Marvel – at its best – presented as only Stern can do.

How about the new Venom? GAD has Pro and Premium version that allow you to choose your character. So this pinball game is different every time you play.

Two of the best games Stern has produced are back in production – okay, you can tell us what your favorite games are! But we’ll stay with favorites Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool as some of the best Stern ever. We have both in the Pro editions.

Get Your Favorite Movie Pinball

Stern is excellent at creating interesting pinball using our favorite movies. We love these creations!

  1. Star Wars Home Edition – has been available in various iterations but this one is specifically designed for home use. Using Stern’s commercial parts to create a quality home pinball machines.
  2. Godzilla – the monster is at its best with this Stern design. Godzilla is arguably one of the best pinball games ever made.
  3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – this is a favorite set of action heroes that everyone loves.
  4. Pulp Fiction – this is available for pre-order for those that love this cult classic.
  5. Toy Story 4 – your kids love Toy Story and this game brings them the best of Woody and Buzz Lightyear’s friends as they follow the newest Toy Story 4 adventure.
  6. Jurassic Park – this is a great pinball for every age. The dinosaurs of Jurassic Park come to play with this great pinball game.

What Pinball is Right for YOU?

Pinball games are designed for everyone. So, we can’t say what game is the perfect game for you to own.

What we do suggest is try this to make the decision what’s best for you?

  1. Try the games that you think you are interested in – find games near you. Pinball Map.
    • Call GAD and see what games we have on our showroom floor. We have showrooms open to the public in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.
  2. Measure your spaces.
    • People create game rooms in their basement, attic, garage and extra bedrooms.
    • Add a game to a stairway inset.
    • Change your family room into a multi game room.
  3. Decide your budget.
    • GAD can give you a total quote – including delivery, sales tax and accessories.
  4. GAD has games in stock for when you are ready!