GAMA appoints the trade organization’s first COO amid larger restructure

Internal reorganizations are quite de rigueur; that is, they happen pretty frequently enough across companies and institutions, and as such may seem non-consequential — and admittedly dry — to most audiences. But any movement within the tabletop industry’s largest trade organization, the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA),will be pertinent to distributors, publishers, and creators who face mounting economic concerns ranging from US tariffs and lawsuits to mass market growing pains. 

The association has announced several staff changes, most notably the addition of a chief operating officer, Melinda Prickett, and the reorganization of its staff into three teams: member services, communications, and events. 

Traditionally, GAMA’s remit includes lobbying for the interest of tabletop businesses, organizing trade and consumer shows (GAMA Expo and Origins, respectively), and providing resources and legal aid to its members. Executive director John Stacy had told Rascal during GAMA Expo 2025 that the number of attendees had more than doubled from 1,600 in 2019 to 3,400. How will Prickett’s appointment, whose experience lies in nonprofit operational leadership, further GAMA’s recently announced 10-year plan to support a fast growing and more global industry? Rascal reached out to Stacy via email to find out more.

This interview has been edited slightly for clarity.

Khee Hoon Chan: Why has GAMA decided to restructure the organization?

Stacy: GAMA’s decision to restructure stems from our commitment to better serve our members and adapt to the evolving needs of the tabletop industry. By organizing our staff into four focused teams—Member Services, Communications, Events, and Operations—we’re creating a more agile and responsive framework. This structure allows us to deliver more targeted support, streamline our programs and events, and respond more effectively to emerging challenges across the industry.

Chan: What will the new COO, Melinda Prickett, bring to GAMA?

Stacy: Melinda Prickett brings a wealth of operational expertise and a deep understanding of nonprofit governance. Her background in organizational development and strategic planning will be instrumental in streamlining internal processes, enhancing member services, and expanding GAMA’s capacity to deliver high-impact programs. Melinda’s leadership style is collaborative and data-driven, which aligns perfectly with our goals for transparency and growth. I am very excited to have her on the team helping us achieve our goals and benchmarks.

Chan: GAMA has offered legal aid to the tabletop publishers currently involved in ongoing bankruptcy litigation with Diamond Distributors. How will these new appointments continue that support?

Stacy: GAMA remains fully committed to supporting publishers affected by the Diamond Distributors litigation. While our staffing changes don’t alter the support we’re providing, they do enhance our capacity to deliver it. With our new structure, the COO will oversee day-to-day operations, allowing me, as Executive Director, to focus more deeply on strategic collaborations and work directly with our legal counsel on this case. This shift enables us to better understand member concerns and develop meaningful, responsive solutions—both for this litigation and for future challenges.

Chan: Where does GAMA see its role in protecting/advising partners if any other large-scale legal disruptions occur?

Stacy: GAMA sees its role as a stabilizing force and trusted advisor during times of industry disruption. Whether the challenge is legal, regulatory, or supply chain-related, our responsibility is to provide clarity, resources, and a unified voice on behalf of our members. To strengthen this support, we’re expanding our legal and advocacy capabilities—including expanding our advocacy workgroup and bringing on a dedicated contractor focused exclusively on member advocacy. We’ve also partnered with other trade organizations to amplify our collective voice on critical issues such as supply chain shipping issues and opposition to tariffs. These steps ensure that GAMA is prepared to act swiftly and decisively when our members face large-scale disruptions.

"GAMA’s decision to restructure stems from our commitment to better serve our members and adapt to the evolving needs of the tabletop industry."

Chan: Speaking of large-scale disruptions, what plans do the newly appointed members have for helping publishers and companies weather the ongoing damage that US tariffs have caused, and will continue to cause under the Trump administration?

Stacy: Tariffs have posed serious challenges to our industry since they were first introduced this spring, and GAMA has been actively fighting them from the outset. Our response has included direct lobbying of elected officials in Washington, the creation of white papers and member resources to explain the impact and talking points to help members engage with policymakers and the media. We even joined a class action lawsuit challenging the legality of the tariffs as an overreach of executive authority.

While our recent staffing changes are not a direct response to the tariffs, they do strengthen our ability to support members through disruptions like these. The team will help expand our advocacy efforts, deepen our partnerships with trade experts, and ensure that our members have the tools they need to adapt. Tariffs remain a top priority for GAMA, and we will continue to fight them vigorously on behalf of the tabletop community.

Chan: Aside from the aforementioned programs, are there any new plans that GAMA plans to put in place, alongside these staff changes?

Stacy: Our staff realignment is a key component of GAMA’s 10-year strategic plan, which we introduced during our recent town hall meeting. This long-term vision includes new initiatives in professional development, international outreach, resource development, and data analytics, all aimed at strengthening our support for the tabletop industry. These goals are designed to make GAMA more proactive, inclusive, and impactful—now and into the next decade.