Got this email yesterday... Despite what Rob Berk posted earlier on in this thread it sounds like the rules may have changed for folks that bring their pins from home for use in the free play area. Am I mistaken? In short, per the bit in pink in the picture I've attached (which is also bolded out in the text below,) it seems like we who voluntarily bring pins for free play are going to get docked $$$ if we take off prior to 8PM on Saturday.
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Hello,
I'm Rob Craig. Some of you know me from our old Southern Illinois Pinball & Arcade Supershow in Herrin, IL which had its last stand in 2009. Some recall my involvement with GameRoom Magazine, or perhaps the Silverball Podcast. I've decided to jump out of the pinball shadow to help Rob Berk and David Fix with this 34th Pinball Expo event. My role is to recruit people to bring games to the show and manage logistics of moving games into the Expo hall, to make sure everyone that brings a game (or 12) receives compensation accordingly (armbands, VIP Event, raffle entries, even cash in some cases). For this, I have a "Compensation Matrix" that will help you identify how you get perks for bringing games. Most of you are receiving this e-mail because you were listed as someone who selflessly brought a game to the show in 2016. Thank you for doing that and making the 2016 show great. Others have been added to this e-mail because they are pinball friends and I know their passion for pinball and the Pinball Expo Show.
Game Compensation Matrix
[Please see the attached picture for the Game Compensation Matrix]
Games must be in 100% working order in order to qualify as a "Game Brought". Trophies will be awarded for Best EM game, Best Solid State Game, and Best DMD or Modern Era Game. You may (and are encouraged) to sell your game at Expo, but the game must remain at the show until Saturday Night 8PM at which time games can be removed without penalty. Early removals must be arranged by Rob Craig and his staff. You will be charged $30 per day for early removal (i.e. removal on Saturday before 8pm is $30 fee per machine, removal Friday before 8PM is $60 fee per machine) and forfeit your raffle ticket(s). Expo cash is real cash. Vouchers are provided when all games have been registered at the Games Table and cashed at the Registration Table.
To me, there are several benefits in bringing games to a pinball show and I'm sure you already can think of the same ones I have. Free entry to most parts of a show, ability to sell or trade games you brought, early access in setting up your game and seeing what else is in the hall. This year, I'm asking you to consider helping me PACK THE PLACE with nice working games. I've worked with Rob Berk to add more perks for those that bring a game.
Notice that the more you bring, the more perks you get. If you are interested in selling several titles in your collection - this might really work out for you. If you are looking to bring games and get enough bonus cash to pay for a Stern Tour or Seminars, that can certainly happen too. From what I've learned, compensation in the past has been a little inconsistent. This year, my goal is to make it clear up front and keep accurate records so everyone is handled the same way based upon the number of good games they bring. It won't be easy as the chaos of move-in can be a bit overwhelming. With this in mind, I'm also inviting you or other pinball people you know to join me in managing the freeplay move-in. There will be a table that needs attended throughout the show, many people on Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening to assist with moving games into the hotel, and several to assist people in moving out. Even if bringing a game isn't something you can do, maybe helping me out is. I can offer a staff T-Shirt and free access to everything (except Stern Tour) for volunteers that put in 8 hours or more along with the VIP event. I'm looking to partner with someone that can work 20 or more hours during the event. If that is you, please contact me at [email protected].
I ask that you forward this e-mail to anyone that might have an interest in bringing a game or volunteering for the show. Simply reply to this e-mail if you intend on bringing games to the show AND/OR you are interested in volunteering. You could alternatively fill out the forms on the website but I believe an e-mail to me might be faster. Make sure to let me know Game Name, Year, Your Phone Number and if it is for sale or not. I realize game titles change even on the day before you come. You are not held to what you say you are bringing, but it does give me an idea on how much room we will need to gives people coming to the show an idea of what they can expect to see there this year.
Finally - if you have a pinball dolly that you can bring to the show and offer it up to the staff (once you are done with it) early in the week (Wednesday afternoon - Thursday Morning) please let me know that too. We'll need as many as we can get for the first 2 days of the show.
Sincere thanks to all. See you in October!
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