Try emailing Jody at stern

I emailed Rob Berk, not Mike. I'm bringing games to cover my entry to the hall but it doesn't cover the Stern Tour. I printed off the Expo registration and mailed in a check along with the registration form for what is listed on the registration as Additional Stern Tour Tickets. I don't think you can get into the building without a ticket that day as they collect them at the door. Not sure if you drive there yourself if it's cheaper, but I'd email Rob. His email address is on the Expo website.

at least in the past tickets were required to get on the bus, anyone on the bus was going on the tour. it was a single ticket.

Last year they checked the ticket at the hotel getting on the bus, then again at the door at stern. At least in my group they did.

Let the man go on the tour for the love of Pete!

image-909.jpg

exactly its just the one ticket.

You could probably message them via Facebook.

I thought you could buy these once you get to the hotel starting on Wednesday?

I sent a message to Stern with your question.

Last year I just wanted to go on the tour and simply bought a yellow tour only ticket from the registration desk for $40 or $50. I took my own transport to the Stern factory, not the yellow bus, but needed the ticket to go in to the factory and join a tour. They split everone in to groups of about 15 with a tour guide (a Stern staff member) who takes you round the factory.

Great question - and my concern. I didn't think it would and the wife and I arrive on Wednesday afternoon. Was just planning on buying the package deal for both of us when we arrive at the hotel.

Hopefully that will be ok... would hate to come in Wednesday and not be able to take the tour on Thursday.

I think the only issue is with the buses. Mike/Rob need to know how many people are going ahead of time so they can have the number of buses lined-up ahead of time. I'm sure if you drive over yourself it won't be an issue; but you'll still need a ticket at the door.

Tickets are checked at door to Stern generally Stern does not allow walk up..

This is the response I got from Stern:

"I would ask the folks at Expo. The tour is through them."

Unless you live really, really far away, this is not true. (Looks like you are near Kalamazoo, an easy drive to Chicago.)

Anyone can contact Stern (Jody) and set up a factory tour on most days, outside of the Expo tour. Oh, and it's free.

From Yelp:
"I'm not sure if they do this for everyone, but check their website and email: [email protected] and request a tour. The tour was free for us but I think they should totally charge. Their tour is ridiculously in depth and you can see these people are incredibly 1) knowledgeable 2) passionate about the pinning world.

TOURS ARE M-F ONLY!!
** I'd recommend getting your own car and driving here if you are coming from DT Chicago. I think it's actually closer if you come from O'Hare airport.**"

-Mark

FYI, one year, I left around 3:00 am Thursday morning from suburban Detroit and arrived at Expo when it was at the Ramada (Now Holiday Inn Express) O'Hare around 8:30 am. I was able to walk up to the desk, Hand over $120 cash or maybe $130 and get a full expo package. I put the envelope in my car and took my Stern Tour ticket, got on a bus and went on the tour.

Did you ever figure out the tour? I was hoping to meet at stern factory as I will not get to Chicago until that Thursday morning. Can a person get tickets in person at the factory?

Nope, they don't sell tickets at the door at Stern. But I'm guessing if you know somebody that is going to be at the hotel wednesday/thursday AM they could probably buy a ticket for you and meet you there.

I don't have a problem doing it for you Justin but I don't want to assume I am allowed to do it. If you can verify that it is ok, then I will do it. Basically, I don't want to write a check that can't be cashed.

We never take the bus to the factory anymore. We drive and park there and walk up to the door right when the buses pull up. Tickets will need to be purchased through the Expo staff either by mailing in the form or maybe at the registration desk. You can not buy factory tour tickets at the factory.

Nothing can replace seeing the Stern factory in person, but if you are not going to Expo and/or the Stern factory tour, here you go

Nice vid. I want one of those rotisseries.

For those of you who have done this expo tour before, how long did it take? When did you get back?

Very cool Ed. An amazing process.

30-45 mins
Though you might have to wait outside for your groups turn
Real cool though
Pending on your group leader it could be any stern employee

Great vid, thanks for posting.

we will be able to sell tickets at door MIKE PACAK

Pretty cool video, Thanks for making & posting. The video shows that Jody does not know much about pinball machine internals or manufacturing but he is a good marketing and money guy.

Thanks Ed!
That was really cool.

yes, that is what I was recently told as well

Discount for not using the bus service would be nice

Awesome video, thanks for sharing!

Mike was talking about at the show. The registration desk is open until 10pm on Wednesday, and opens at 8am on Thursday. The tour leaves at 9am on Thursday. You should be able to get tickets before you go, even if getting in late.

If you have troubles, Mike will be there and can help.

Andrew
630-329-5160

OK so here is my question...

My buddy and I are flying in from NC EARLY Thursday morning. As in, landing at 7:30 am. I do not know if we will be able to make it to the hotel and get on the bus by 9, if there is any traffic going that way I think we're gonna get hosed.

Has anyone figured out if you can meet the tour at the Stern factory and get your tickets there, or do they HAVE to be purchased at the Expo prior to getting on the bus.

Thanks to anyone who might have information for us!! The Stern tour is one of the main reasons we are going, and I would absolutely hate to miss it for some reason. We would have come in Weds night, but I'm working until midnite, then getting to the airport at 5 am to catch the flight.

There is a small chance if you land at O'Hare and everything goes well... there is no chance if you are coming from Midway.

Tickets are picked up at Expo, but the booth will be open that early that day. Tight timeline for sure!

Andrew

Nope. He meant at the hotel door/registration desk. As Andrew said just after:

Better burn rubber Pete.

We are landing at O'Hare. My friend is a professional traveler and ex-USAir employee, and lived in Chicago for 15 yrs. He knows all the "tricks" and thinks we can make it, as long as there isn't some kind of accident or abhorrent traffic on the way.

My question now is this - say we get to the hotel at 9:05. If we get tickets at the front desk, can we jump back in the rental car and meet the bus AT the factory? That's really the bigger issue.

Yeah, as long as you have a ticket in hand, driving yourself over there is fine.

Perfect, that's what I needed to know!!

Thanks, and we're looking forward to meeting some Pinsiders tomorrow!