Got an email this morning from Mike Pacak. Slightly ironic, coming on the start of TPF.
Not sure what this means for the future of Chicago based pinball shows.

Would be interesting to hear Rob's view.

(I've added some breaks to make this easier to read, but otherwise this is the email minus Mike's phone number)

"Greetings!

To all past, present and future Pinball Expo vendors and attendees:

As many of you may have heard, Rob Berk and I have parted ways after 33 years of putting on the Pinball Expo. Rob decided that he no longer wanted to be a partner and chose to go his own separate way. This decision was completely of his own choosing and wasn't brought up for any type of discussion.

Because of this change, I just wanted to clear up any confusion there may be on the status of the show. In our separation agreement we both have the right to do a show. There WILL be a pinball show taking place, as advertised in the past, at the Westin Hotel in Wheeling, IL on Oct 17-21, 2018. These dates were planned and set for two years already.

Contrary to what you may have heard about this show, people are NOT "jumping ship." Many have already planned their vacations and booked their travel to Chicago for this. Contracts with the hotel are in place for both 2018 and 2019. All of the vendors and attendees I have spoken with so far have expressed their interest and commitment to continuing the show as planned.

For those wondering if there will there be a change to the name of the show, there will be. The new name has yet to be determined but will be announced shortly. In light of the recent events, changes are in the works for those involved with organization of the show. My son Lonnie Mihin, who ran the game hall last year and who has been a part of the Pinball Expo since it's inception, is going to be taking on a greater role in the planning and execution of the show. I am also currently in talks with several other's who are interested in becoming a part of the show. A new website with more information detailing this will be available soon. The changes that are being implemented will ultimately help in achieving the goal of making a bigger, better and much smoother running show for everyone.

In closing, I would like to thank you all for the many years of support that you have shown and I look forward to seeing you all in October.

Sincerely,

Mike Pacak"

Both shows with new names.

Can the area support two shows 6 weeks apart? (Not counting the Pinball Life party)

IMO, This seems more likely to hasten the likelihood that TPF becomes "the" go to annual show.

That's a cheap shot. My reading indicates that Mike is stepping back and giving more control to others.

Doesn't seem right to me that Rob can use the "Pinball Expo" name and Mike is contractually obligated to a show at the Westin for two more years and can't.

Pinball Expo = Mike and Rob. If they both aren't doing the show, neither should be using the name.

And therein lies the problem. This shouldn't be a competition.