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(Topic ID: 25395)

Phoenix AZ Pinball Convention

By toxicwes

11 years ago

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71 posts
35 Pinsiders participating
Latest reply 11 years ago by toxicwes
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#1 11 years ago

WES

I represent a group that is seriously looking into putting together a California Extreme style (though smaller) arcade & pinball convention in Phoenix, AZ. We already host an annual con (KoL Con) and we've been consulting with Dann Frank, one of the administrators of the Wild West Pinball Convention that took place back in the 90s, so we've got the chops to make this happen.

Right now we're putting out feelers to see who'd be interested in attending, but more importantly who'd be willing to put up some of their pinball and/or arcade games for a weekend.

Thanks, and spread the word!

#16 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Thanks a lot for the response, gang. I think we may have to do a pick-up and drop-off service just to get the numbers we'll need. I'm sure some of you are involved in the APPL? Could any of you get an idea of what other members might be willing to pitch in? Or pm me their info so that i might hit them up?

#18 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from Jetfire:
I have a few people that would show on this, sounds fun!

Awesome! though I'm looking for numbers. any estimates?

#22 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from pinlawyer:
We could do an APPL-organized pin-golf format tournament, or some other unique format.

Tournaments are a definite possibility.

#25 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from kbliznick:
I could bring approx 10-15 games, Would love to have help loading and unloading them.
Banzai Run
Farfalla
Maybe my Defender if I ever finish it and then whatever dozen or so that I would have for sale at the time. Might also have my custom Zombie machine done by then.
I can also bring a couple of my kid sized 60 in 1 Galaga and Mrs Pacman machines.
I could help with teching, but would prefer to have my own booth and maybe offer some on the spot board repairs and parts sales.
I might also be able to convince my buddy Chris to bring some of his awesomely restored system 6 pins.
Kris Bliznick
Firebird Pinball

Thanks Kris,
I was just about to start calling local vendors. I'll keep you posted.

#28 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from The_APPL:
As Stu stated earlier in the thread, we've been brainstorming on a Phoenix convention for a couple of years. I go to 3 or 4 shows out of state yearly, and have talked with organizers for other shows on what works, and what doesn't. The pick-up and drop off service for those willing to provide games is a must. Would probably need to budget for 4 or 5 U-haul trucks for the weekend, and need an extra non-public day at the venue for set-up.
The success of a show is largely game dependent, and a minimum of 150 games would be necessary. This is where I've stalled out on this project previously. I run a 32 member league here in town, and have talked to many members about the prospect of doing a show. Trouble is, many of the pins used in the league are highly restored collector pieces that the owners would be hesitant to let the general public knock around for a weekend. Our membership owns 300+ pins, but from talking to members about it, I doubt we could reach 100 games to dedicate to a show. Some say they are willing, but if you want to get serious about this, we need to start a list of game titles committed for the event and by whom.
Personally, I would love to see this happen. I'm sure the APPL members would be willing to volunteer to help out however they are needed.
Mark

Thanks for the tips! We're under no illusions about how difficult this is going to be. I agree that a delivery service will be necessary. likely there will also have to be some kind of repair service for damage incurred during the show. We discussed all the intricacies with Dann Frank and we know what we're up against. Like I said before, right now we're just trying to get a ballpark of how many games we can put together. Just after a few days of asking around we're creeping up on 100 machines (including arcade games) and I still have leads to follow up on.

I think there's a strong possibility that this could happen. Wish us luck! (and let us use your machines)

#30 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from The_APPL:
As Stu stated earlier in the thread, we've been brainstorming on a Phoenix convention for a couple of years. I go to 3 or 4 shows out of state yearly, and have talked with organizers for other shows on what works, and what doesn't. The pick-up and drop off service for those willing to provide games is a must. Would probably need to budget for 4 or 5 U-haul trucks for the weekend, and need an extra non-public day at the venue for set-up.
The success of a show is largely game dependent, and a minimum of 150 games would be necessary. This is where I've stalled out on this project previously. I run a 32 member league here in town, and have talked to many members about the prospect of doing a show. Trouble is, many of the pins used in the league are highly restored collector pieces that the owners would be hesitant to let the general public knock around for a weekend. Our membership owns 300+ pins, but from talking to members about it, I doubt we could reach 100 games to dedicate to a show. Some say they are willing, but if you want to get serious about this, we need to start a list of game titles committed for the event and by whom.
Personally, I would love to see this happen. I'm sure the APPL members would be willing to volunteer to help out however they are needed.
Mark

Hey Mark,
I met Ben Baraldi at KoL Con (another convention we run) last weekend but I didn't get his contact info. Do you know if he's a pinsider?

#38 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from copperpot:
How's the response looking so far, Toxicwes?
-Wes

Right now we're at 162 games (including arcades). I don't think it will be an issue to reach our "unofficial pledge" goal of 200.

Time to start researching venues!

#43 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from monsterbaldy:
I have known these folks for a while via minibosses involvement in Kingdom of Loathing conventions, and I will say they are a very capable bunch that I believe will make this a reality.
I can definitely commit to bringing a pin or two as well Wes. Also, tell Zack copperpot has a spyhunter for sale if he wants it, he's in AZ.
I assume you will also need volunteers to enforce pinball safety and whatever else, which I would love to be involved in as well.
-ben

Thanks for the support, Ben! And I let Zack know about the Spyhunter.

4 weeks later

#49 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

_{Post edited by toxicwes : no longer relevant}

1 month later

#51 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Hey gang,
Just a quick update... Still trying to nail down a venue and date. It's looking like Spring of 2013, though. I have a question for the AZ pinball community: How many travel to national events or tournaments? If we were to have our event the same weekend as something like Pinburgh, would it effect your willingness to attend or contribute games to our event?

Best wishes, and I'll keep you posted,
Wes

#54 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from Tommi_Gunn:
just fyi mountain coin closed it's phx doors last week, moved to vegas. another one bites the dust.
http://www.vendingtimes.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=EB79A487112B48A296B38C81345C8C7F&nm=Vending+Features&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=42F9AA1D0A6444678CCB2ABB9DD768B4

Is Jeff Babcock moving too?

#60 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from patrickvc:
BTW Wes, Jeff Babcock will still be around. Maybe see about using his expertise for any repair stuff.

I was hoping to do just that. Can anyone PM me his contact info?

#62 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from Jeff_PHX_AZ:
What kind of venues you looking at? Like a big convention center or like a banquet hall type place? Dont really have a game(s) to bring , but a definite yes in attending and helping where ever needed!

All of the above. I've looked at probably 80 places so far, and that's not an exaggeration. I have a list of about 60, and those were just the ones worth writing down. I've looked at hotels, convention centers, civic centers, fairgrounds, casinos, museums, galleries, banquet halls, warehouses, unused retail spaces... you name it, I've probably been in contact with them.

Wish me luck!

1 month later

#66 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

The event is a go! Started a new thread. look for Zapcon!

#71 11 years ago

WES

toxicwes

Inactive member

11y 34,650 171 4

Quoted from tracelifter:
Doesn't hurt them, been taking games to shows since '06.
I am in for 4 games and my son and I will help with load in/out.
As long as it isn't the weekend after Mother's Day, we will be doing PAGG that weekend.

It's April 6-7. If you'd like to participate, shoot me a PM with your name, phone number, email, and what games you'd like to bring.

Thanks!

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