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Overview
The GAMA Industry Service Awards recognize significant contributions to the hobby games industry or to GAMA. There are three separate awards. Each is detailed below.
Merit of Service Award
The Merit of Service is awarded to an individual or group to recognize significant recent volunteer contribution to the promotion, facilitation, education and/or growth of our hobby, the game industry or of GAMA.
Honor of Service Award
The Honor of Service is awarded to an individual or group to recognize significant historic volunteer contribution to the promotion, facilitation, education and/or growth of our hobby, the game industry or of GAMA.
Winston Hamilton Award
The Winston Hamiliton Award, so named in honor of the late Mr. Hamilton's longtime service to the industry and GAMA, recognizes exceptionally selfless and/or lifetime volunteer contribution to the promotion, facilitation, education and/or growth of our hobby, the game industry or of GAMA.
Winston Hamilton
For Winston Hamilton, of Grinnell, Iowa, gaming was a passion, a passion that he wanted to share with generation after generation. Winston sought to fulfill this goal through his tireless work and service to the Game Manufacturers Association, doing so in a variety of positions through some turbulent times for both GAMA and the industry. Serving as Secretary, Executive Director, and Vice President, Winston strove to make improvements in the areas of Health Insurance, Origins consumer show, GAMA Trade Show, The Academy of Adventure Arts and Gaming, Mediation Service, and the growth of both the Retail and Wholesale Divisions. It was during his tenure as Executive Director that a then chronically under-funded GAMA joined in successfully combating legislation directed at lead miniatures. Known to be a straight talker who suffered no fools, Winston was quick to cut to the core any issue. He was instrumental in helping GAMA and the industry grow to its current position through his efforts and expertise. It is upon his shoulders and the shoulders of so many others of that era that we enjoy GAMA and an industry as it is today. It is exceptionally fitting that GAMA's highest award is named to honor his memory.
