Honestly i think you should have waited till spring and went to the Midwest gaming classic in Brookfield much nicer show. The Expo is always such a disapointment in comparison with the exception of having a better vendor hall.

Awesome thread. I am going to try to go as well. Allentown 2014 was my first ever expo. TOTAL BLAST! Can't imagine how great Chi-Town will be.

Anyway, I'm hoping I can make it. It would be great to meet you all.

It was with Pinfest at Allentown, Pa. Not sure witch thread though

While I love the excitement of MGC, the gamers add a lot to that show. and the pinball part keeps getting better and better.

Let us not forget Expo has the LTG : ) Show.

LTG : )™

MGC is a great show BUT nothing compares to the action at PINBALL EXPO come on .. the tour the MANY MANY industry people there playing pinball all night?? gimme a brake The GREAT tournament THe vendors??? Autograph session GET REAL

Last year was a blast,
This year looks like it's going to be even better!

i was there last year and i will be there this year and just like Robin/Martijn i will come all the way out from the Netherlands to attend this show

pinball pinball pinballllll

Ok I'm in!.... And out : (
Got shot down as I have a huge project starting then. Dang!!!!

Find yourself a Portillos and get an Italian Beef. You won't be disappointed.

If you make it downtown i would suggest Mastro's for a steak or goto Chinatown for Yum-cha )

Yeah they had autographs at the MGC along with the Stern tour and you didnt have to pay for each to listen to the industry people. And MGC offers after party for everyone that brings games prolly explaines why the MGC still has machines to play on Sunday unlike the Expo lol. Like I said the Expo only realy has the Vendor hall with more pinball stuff for sale. But at the Expo it pay or everything as you go its obviously more about making money for the show than the people attending. And the machines at the MGC are usualy alot nicer than the ones i saw at the Expo and the people keep them working throughout the show.

Dude! Dim sum Sunday morning!

Remeber EXPO has a FREE dinner on weds night for ALL attendies and VENDORS as well Again MGC is great BUT most every pinball has been made in Chicago for years SO the amount of Industry people there is unparalled ALso we start on weds and are open ALL night for play.. The complete package for expo which includes the banquet which costs us what what charge is a fair price I believe for what all is given

I hope every show makes money. Or next year - NO SHOW.

Every show is unique in many ways, but that one. I don't know of any show losing money year after year that is still going.

Go if you can and support them. That way we can do it again next year.

LTG : )™

Well, we can show Robin some appreciation and make this a real show. Expo has been waning but that doesn't mean that it isn't fun. I just wish they wouldn't close the game room, even to those who brought their own games, during whatever that tournament ordeal was. Sorry, I'm not a competitive pinball player and couldn't figure out why I couldn't get to the games I brought. Also, if someone wants to return my "Lincoln Tech" Fluke 115 multimeter a year after borrowing it during last year's show, I'd appreciate it.

I'm working on going. Need to stop getting pins to save up the $$ to go. I guess I could sleep in my car.

In what ways is EXPO waning?? just because some years wemight only have like 200 games?? This year will be greater believe me.. I will work on allowing people that bring games accses. But again as far as limiting others COME ON what other show is open all night for 3 nights?? Someone give Expo credit for that please What other show gives FREE big time dinner like we do on weds??

Let's not forget Expo has the contest to design the 30th Anniversary tee shirt with the fabulous prize for the winner.

Actually I was hoping we could forget about that.

I always have a good time at Expo.

Some of my closest friends are people I randomly stumbled into at Expo. It's the people that make any show, and I am really looking forward to this year's Expo.

It has a great vendor hall, and while game quality can vary greatly, there's always something cool/rare to see every year.

It's way too easy to focus on negatives in any show. It's the 30th Expo, It'll be full of pinsiders, and there will be plenty of pins to play. If you can't find something there that will make you happy...that probably says more about you than the show.

Pete

If my memory serves correctly, there was barely 70 games in the hall last year (at least by Saturday afternoon). I think Terry nearly beat that number in his small warehouse gathering. Not that playing pinball is necessarily a priority to most people.

Nonetheless, anyone that works hard and risks money to put on a pinball expo is a good person in my book. Every pinball show is a little different, it's worth going to as many as you can.

Support both the MGC and Expo, if you can.

I'm not sure what the big deal is.

According to Pinball News : Exhibit Hall 69, Game Room 74. 10 or so out front for the tournament. A few in the long hallway. And a couple in Rob's room.

LTG : )™

Expo is like a family reunion to me I have ALOT of very good friends from the past 29 years of Expo.. AS said all shows are great BUT expo still offers the MOST variety of things to do than ANY SHOW.. and the most HOURS by far....

I don't know what the value is in having people go back and forth about what show is better. Robin made his decision, and so the focus should be on that part of the event, not whatever other complaints or suggestions about the show.

The last three times I've been to Expo (I know I missed last year), I can count the number of games I played on one hand total. I could care less if there were 2 games there or 2500, it's less about that for me and more about seeing and talking with people who share a common bond.

Expo offers some unique things, and if seeing Robin in person doesn't convince you that it is a show you want to attend, check out the web site, see if the different things that are there are up your alley, and if so go. If not, you can look at other show web sites, and determine which one best suits your tastes. Or, maybe shows aren't your thing, and then you just don't need to go. No one is forcing you.

I always personally wish that Expo fell a couple weeks later, as it is always at the most impossible time of the year for me to go, but I've managed to make it down there something like 11 times in the past 14 years.

Hi robin, living like 125 km away for each other it looks like we will be meeting each other first time like 5000 km away from our homes

Me and Winfred de Ruijter are going also for first time. First expo and than NY with visiting JJP and NY.
Don't know if it is already mentioned but DP is having a VIP Party to. Do you know members of DP team?

On my wish list for the spinner is still an interview with you

Don't forget to put DPO on your agenda to for 1+2 November !!

Regards

Rens Hooijmaijers
Member NFV and DPO team

125km = That's about 75 miles for those of you that refuse to acknowledge the metric system.

Also, that's hilarious! Nothing like flying across the world to meet someone that lives a little over an hour away.

Pete

What is "the metric system"? Is it similar to "The Northstar System"?

The metric system... Pretty sure most of us can quickly and easily convert between grams and ounces...

Think big; Kilos

Great idea on the meet & greet. Too bad I have to miss this year's expo.

I'm in.

This is close to me and will be my first time attending even if I can only get there for Saturday. Really looking forward to a great time.

I'll be there representing Pinball Magazine
Santiago Ciuffo's PINBALL book will be available at stands of Pacific Pinball Museum and other vendors.

Wait...didn't you just get home from a tour of the States? And you're coming back in two months? You're a better man than I...we were going to come to the Netherlands next month, but decided to hold off until tulip season (one of the hazards of being married!).

I could have used a better word, I suppose. What I meant is that the opinion on the forums the past few years post-show seems to be mixed to negative. Not my personal opinion but to those on this forum who are of that opinion, I say a show is often what you make of it. Bring a game, have fun and don't take it away until Sunday evening.

Glad to read your coming to Chi town Robin. Look forward to meeting you.

As a local here's the best eats - trust me on this:

Pizza - Lou Malnati's for thick or Joe's pizza (just down street from Expo) for thin. Giordanos, Uno's are good but overhyped. Lou's is it for pan pizza.

Italian Beef - Johnnies Beef (Italian Ice rocks too) & second place runner up Portillos

Hamburger - Paradise Pup

Hot Dog (Chicago style) - Portillo's (and grab some cheese fries)

Steak: Morton's. Ruth Kris, Houston's and Lawry's all get a nod too.

There's a new restaurant that recently opened up in the parking lot of the Westin called Spears. They specialize in bourbon and craft beers, and they also have some damn good food. I've eaten there a few times, and I like it way more than any of the other restaurants close to the hotel such as Ram, Twin Peaks, Cooper's Hawk, etc ...

http://spearschicago.com/

I like Houston's a lot, but I'm pretty sure the one in Chicago closed years ago. J. Alexander's, which is not far from the Westin at all, is very similar to Houston's. They have one of the best french dip sandwiches I've ever had.

Yep, just got back. Part 3 of my travel report is available on www.pinball-magazine.com since last night. Technically Expo is in 3 months Wouldn't miss it for the world. Let me know when you're in The Netherlands.

I can vouch for the pizza at Lou Malnati's. Was in Chicago for business and the valet guy at the hotel (Hilton Indian Lakes resort - nice place) said it's the best so I couldn't pass it up. Lou's also ships 'assembly required' pizza's too so you can get it at home too!

I'm also coming to the Expo so lots of people from Holland. We should rent our own plane!

I saw this on an iFunny scroll today and thought of this thread. Sorry I can't post pictures from work...

http://weknowmemes.com/2014/03/come-to-chicago-for-the-food-stay-because-you-got-murdered/

Granted I would probably murder someone for some really really good Chicago pizza. I'm talking super thick, buttered crust, casserole-style, sauce on top pizza. We've got a local place that does a decent NY type pizza, but nobody does the Chicago style at all.

Actually the Northstar System was designed as a way to navigate your way home after your Cadillac breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

I got fatter just reading that list

If anyone watches "Mexico One Plate at a Time" the guy on there, Rick Bayless, has a few restaurants in Chicago as well. They are all, obviously, Mexican based, but they are very good. Here is a link to his site, Frontera Grill was his first one and still most popular, I think.

http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/

Phil

Great! I already had dinner today, but might order it tomorrow. How long does it take to deliver to The Netherlands?