I have a few suggestions for future Pinball Expos. I've been attending Expo since 2004, only missing one year. For full disclosure, my main interests at Expo are the vendor hall, free play area, and Expo Brawl. I thought last year was the best year since I've been attending, but I was pretty disappointed with this year's Expo. I don't intend for any of the suggestions to come off as a personal attack (people always preface with this statement when they're about to say something terrible), but I don't want to avoid the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

1. The free play room needs to improve the number of quality games that are brought. The Chicago area has to have one of the largest concentrations of pinball machines per capita in the world, it should be a slam dunk that the free play room is stuffed. However, a lot of people just don't like Mike; they have been alienated, jerked around for receiving their rewards, and just generally unappreciated. I would suggest hiring someone to manage the free play room, start to finish, including rewards, advertising, moving equipment, repair, etc. Let a new person be a fresh face for the free play room at Expo. (A big thanks to those that do bring games to Expo; I know hauling a game to a show is a lot of work and generally pain in the ass).

2. Does Expo have to feel like a huge cash grab? I don't mind paying a daily $25 entrance fee. However, $60 just to listen to seminars? Really??? $50 for a school bus ride to the Stern Factory? I could get a Taxi ride cheaper. If people want to attend the banquet, I'm ok with the extra fee as there is a meal involved. However, daily entrance should at a minimum cover seminars. I don't mind supporting the show, but just be reasonable.