Yes. I couldn't get the rate from the website but I was able to do so on the phone.

Aaron
FAST Pinball

They changed half of it. As of 2013, the game hall is open during the banquet. Vendor hall remains closed. I think it's a good compromise. Vendors can attend the banquet without leaving their booths unattended, and players can play all night.

I hated the anti-fun policy so much that I started throwing an un-banquet party at my place 15 minutes down the road. Thankfully, I no longer need to. (Also I live further away now.)

I'm curious if the business you work for seeks out suggestions on how to minimizes profit?

I'm not sure how this works. I tried the link on the expo website for the 2015 scheduled of events and it brings up the 2014 scheduled. When is the stern tour? I will be arriving thursday night at 7pm which package do I need? I want to go to the seminars and vendors and free play. I have no idea what's going on.

I agree on this, heck, last year I snuck back in and was updating code on my machines.

I don't know about the prices. I still think $200 is a good deal for the entire 5 days with everything included- 2 meals, bus ride & tour, all seminars, free beer at Stern party, four days of playing great machines without quarters and getting to see my pinball buddies again. I can't imagine much profit. Whatever little profit is generated is well deserved for the time it takes to put this thing together. I have been looking forward to this all year, and the benefits far outweigh the cost for me. Cheers and see ya there!

The 2015 schedule hasn't been uploaded yet. I just checked earlier today, as well. I'm hoping we see a list of speakers and some other info soon. I was done with the Stern tour, but now that they're in the new building (and possibly building GoT..), I think I might have to try and make it.

I'm really excited for this year. As much fun as I have at all the other shows, Expo is still my favorite.

Don't be so sensitive and get used to it...
There is nothing French in a French Kiss either

Back on topic - wish I could come but unless I win the lottery in the meantime, no way. But one of my pins should be there instead!

Anybody know what day and time the stern tour is?

The website gets updated once they have everything worked out. Tournaments and seminars.

The Stern Tour is always Thursday morning.

LTG : )™

Always Thursday 9am.

Don't miss it this year, get to see the new Stern building.

LTG : )

They rent buses to take you from the hotel and back.

LTG : )

It's an improvement but still needs work.

Vendors pay for those booths. They should have access to them at all times.

I see it every year. You go out for dinner, take your time and it's still another two hours of waiting when you get back before you can go in.

All the vendors pile up at the door waiting to get in, like people at Wal-Mart on Black Friday.

Sir the price is to much. So rather then bitch about it I bring a game. every year! and this year is no different. so people can play it and I get the free pass all weekend long. all the games you can play on free play. c'mon people go there and support the hobby and play.
p.s. The hotel and power costs a fortune

Kinda want to go but will miss again just due to the fact. I get tried of seeing the same old carpet at the same old place. I wish it were downtown Chicago. More place to eat. Depends on flight cost. We will also run our show special on line at that time as we all do. Also, the SWEP1 & RFM mirrors are back online and all orders should be filled. If you have placed an order in the last two weeks and haven't gotten them. Please PM me or e-mail [email protected]

Rob Burk, Mike helps run Expo.

Hopefully they make money. Or next year no show.

LTG : )

ok so I won't make it in time for the tour so do I just buy 3 day passes and the seminar pass then and that will cover everything except stern tour and banquet?

That would be nice. Hotels room, hotels food, and Expo guarantees unsold seats.

LTG : )

That is the perfect example of what I am talking about. Sometimes, as vendors, you need time to reset, clean up the booth, fix things, etc.

Aaron
FAST Pinball

look forward to your seminar

it was also where I kept my tequila

At one of my favorite Expo's, myself, vendors and some industry notables, sat in the hotel lobby during the shut out. We were brother refugees from the vendor / game room having a bitch festival about the banquet. LOL.

Seriously, it was great getting to know everyone on a more personal level and we talked about everything under the sun. We may have even discussed Pinside a little...

Will you:

a) Be bringing said tequila again this year
b) Share?

Aaron
FAST Pinball

there are many other examples of primarily voulenteer run shows which do it for no profit and for the fun.
Just sayin... profit is not required for many shows.

Expo improved vastly last year and I hope they are still looking to continue that positive trajectory rather than just being surronded by defensive yesmen.

Anybody heard any details about PinballLife party this year?

I assum on Friday like last year? I think I already saw and advert somewhere? and it included a blurb about Rob Zombie or someone affiliated with Rob Zombie showing up...

That would be so much better for doing the show and getting to enjoy the city.

Not that I disagree, but if people are bitching about the prices now, wait until you move it into downtown Chicago.

Good call

Nice hotels DT are like $400 a night

move it to the westin in lombard

Imagine the madhouse it would be if Rob Zombie was there. It would be awesome but not for a place the size of PBL.

Svengoolie is who I think you were referring to in regards to that special guest.

yup. Who is that ?

He's sort of like a poor man's Ned the Dead.

ned-the-dead.jpg

You mean this guy? download.jpg

a) Anyone in the pinball mafia will tell you that typically when I am playing pinball there is a flask in my pocket or a bottle nearby (isn't that what pingulps are for?)
b) depends on how much is left in the bottle

Downtown CHI is likely not feasible.. flights, space, access.. COST.. if you think the Wheeling Westin is high, wait til you price it inside the loop. As far as 'same ol carpet' .. you do realize that Expo has moved to a better hotel twice in the last decade? From Skanktown to the Wyndham to the Westin.

Have you tried vaporizing Tequila? ...Pretty Wild! No calories, bypass digestion right to your blood stream!

vaportini.jpg

No I haven't. I guess I should try it, not as convenient for taking a shot before plunging the ball, but I'm sure I could make it work. Not sure I would want to do it with the really good sipping tequilas, but typically that is not what I am drinking when playing.

Darn it Ltg!!! You make to much sense in your posts! I gotta say one thing though about you bud. I always enjoy reading your posts! It is like a waterfall of friendliness every time you post...so darn warm and nice. Thanks for that and I am probably right in saying everyone (ok 99.9999%) believe the same thing.

Ok enuff said. Don't ever change bud!

Ready for this to happen, Ive been going for the last 12-14 years, cant remember what year i started going. Ill be helping Andrew out in the Freeplay hall setting it up with everyone that brings games. Remember, the help in that area is all volunteers and so is the leader, Andrew. No tipping needed, but will gladly take a beer and drink it with you (first 12-15 people, after that, you might not want help with your game)

As for people complainging on the price, i really dont think that it is as much the price of the show, which i do think is up there a little, but I think that most people have issues of the total cost for the experience. The best days are usually friday and saturday, sunday is usually just sad. So when you figure cost of the show, hotel, travel, missed work, etc... It can get pretty pricey for the full experience, but you just have to make sure that it is worth it to you. I know that im out over 1k easily and im within driving distance (about 200 miles) so there are many that are out far more (rotordave) but if you enjoy it, then you really need to not think about the cost, otherwise, this might not be a show for ya.

But whats the deal with the expo spreadsheet. only 2 of us have posted anything for sale. I have about 10 machines that i put on it, and will be adding a few more items. I have several backglasses that i would like to get rid of, but dont want to ship them, so hoping someone at expo is needing them.

Backglasses are
Grand Lizard
Embryon
Flash Gordon
Evil Kneivel
Cleopatra

So if you have interest in those and going, let me know

Otherwise, please post on the expo classified spreadsheet available here

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G7VRMpANh_6SSqmFmqWaecTaQEByn6HsQZilOWvc0DQ/edit?pli=1#gid=1471806410

thanks
troy

Understood. My business is closed for 3+ days, and get mugs, and a #10 can of cheese.

It all adds up.

But the Expo experience is well worth it. Meet new friends, old friends, party till the cows come home. Time of your life !

LTG : )

As opposed to cheapskate cry babies.

Hotel booked last week !! I waited too long and all the double rooms are gone so I have 2 rooms for 2 nights for my wife and my 2 kids that are coming along. As a past Expo attender in 2008, 2001, 1999 and 1998, I am excited as HELL to be attending this year. This summer has been hot as heck and looking forward to cooler days and the fall colors. Driving in around noon Thursday and doing some sightseeing downtown (The Bean, Navy Pier), check-in and then hit the halls at 6PM and stay up as late as possible. On Friday, gonna try to squeeze in another downtown trip to do a river cruise or Willis Tower then bust back for our first trip to the PBL party and then back for more hall time Friday into Saturday am.

Question: What time does the one day pass for Friday expire ? Saturday at 6 am ?

I believe that is correct.

LTG : )

Embryon glass that i have available. 95% perfect, then the one area by player 4 window that is starting to seperate. Whoever meets me at expo will get the empty original head so that the glass can be protected while its in my possesion, really sucks that there is the one bad spot, not even any other small rubs anywhere.

200.00 takes it

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Hope to see you there DF!

BB

Did somebody say Portillo's?

Photo from this past Sunday

Portillos.jpg

Portillos! Also one of the reasons I go!

lol. Well I have provided many suggestions of what can be done to improve expo (some of which have been implemented.)

I am not whining about the price. Just empathizing with others that also find it be be expensive and making suggestions for how it can be improved while still getting the profit they need to have this bee their full time year round job.

Right now if you want to attend for 1 day and go to exhibit hall/game hall and see any seminars then it will cost you $85 per person.
Many just dont do the seminars and now watch the live stream to save $60.
Similarly many do not attend at all.

I can do simple math and sometimes it makes sense to lower the price in order to sell more tickets.
hypothetically (not saying these are real numbers just giving an example):
5000 x $25 for exhibit hall = 125k
500 x $60 for seminars = 30k

offer 1 day exhibit hall and seminar package for $40; offer exhibit hall only for $20
even a 20% total increase in attendance with 20% conversion of exhibit hall only people into seminar and exhibit hall people = more profit and cheap experience. That is a win/win in my book and the space can definitely handle the increase form my POV as it has not been overly packed the past 4 years.
4800 x $20 = 96k
1800 x $50 = 90k
*

If I was doing this as a business I know where the obvious area to upsell and get more people in the door is. Pack those seminars by dropping the price and that can also make up the backend on a small decrease of cost for those only coming to play.

There is plenty of feedback out there that is not merely whining and lots of people that could be incentivized to attend with a slightly cheaper entry fee.

*take the added profits and spend a little time on web development to get a better and more user friendly website (it has improved over last year but still could be helped with a little expertise).