Terry, I know this was a hard decision to make, but as a retired LEO, I for one applaud you for doing the "responsible" thing. There isn't enough of that today.....most would press their luck until something happened. I have always enjoyed coming out to pick up orders, and I will definitely be there one of those days to take part in the celebration.

I am fairly new to the hobby compared to most here on the forum, but some of the first people to welcome me to the hobby and treat me like a valued customer were the folks at Pinball Life. Terry runs a great show, and always has time to stop and chat. He recently helped me out of a bad jam when my powder-coater accidentally dissolved part of a piece I was working on. I thought it might be a crap shoot, but he had the part I needed, and worked with me to make sure we had the right version. Good people, and they get every bit of business I can throw their way. Look forward to seeing you on Expo week.

Although saddening, completely understandable. Last year was my 1st and I had the greatest time ! Highlight of the weekend, for sure. Thank you again to you both for throwing such a spectacular party...the pins, the delicious food, the free beer....man it doesn't get any better than that. THANK YOU !

Smart decision. Anytime you introduce booze to a large crowd in your business space, the potential risk for liability grows exponentially. That said, who doesn't like to drink a bunch of brews and play some pinball! Anyway, thanks for doing the party. I got to enjoy the last three years of your parties and really the best part to me was shootin' the sh** with other pinballers while picking up huge orders of stuff all at once that I pre-ordered.(Saved on shipping too!)
So I'll still be coming to pick up my weird order of stuff and shoot the sh**! Good times!

You will get ZERO argument from this customer and fan of pinball life. As always, when you give back, there are always a few that will take more than their fair share. It ruins it for all, but the risk(for Pinball Life) is no longer worth the reward. It was obvious and this decision does not surprise me, nor upset me at all. It shouldn't upset anyone.

Very wise and mature decision. I ponder the liability issues even on a small scale when at someone's home for a pinball night and people are drinking... what happens under a "worst-case-scenario" and who is responsible? And that is a small thing, not a big "event".

I shudder to read that you felt you really pushed your luck last year... that is a heck of a worry to carry. Much love, Terry.

I was petrified you were closing your doors....I was about to order 1 of everything

Hi Terry,

I just want to give a BIG THANK YOU for doing these get together in the past. I know it took a lot of work and preparation to pull these parties off and clean up the after party mess. I always had a great time meeting and greeting everyone at them, even though there were crowds and crowds of pinball enthusiasts there. I will still stop by your place this year during Expo and pre-order the parts that I need, so it will make it easier for you and Margret to have everything ready to go.

As always thank you for your support starting and running Pinball Life for the pinball community,

Steve
Pinball Refinery

Pinballlife rules

Kind of shit that you had to worry about people being trashed and driving back to expo. Come on people. Don't be a moron, if you want to injure yourself find a different way, your choice could destroy so many lives in the blink of an eye all because you were too cheap to get a cab, or the classic line of "nah I am alright enough to drive".

Sounds like a great decision to me as well. Even though we really enjoyed coming out to the party the last few years it really was jam packed. I love coming out to buy parts and wouldn't want anything bad to happen to the business. Since I first really started collecting machines 5 years ago, this has been my go to for everything. Im sure as per usual my dad and I will stop by for a few games and to buy some more stuff. The first time we came by before expo was before the warehouse expansion and that was enjoyable too.

Thanks!
Andrew

Thank you for all you do Terry.

I've been to your house party, and then business party, and always had a great time.

I stopped by last year, and was amazed at the crowd. I thought it was a disaster waiting to happen. I am glad it didn't, and you can scale it back to manageable fun for everyone.

LTG : )

I would also like to add, that you don't have to have tons of food and alcohol to have a great time playing pinball and getting together with other pinheads.

Steve
Pinball Refinery

That many people showing up to see you guys and buy parts in person shows how respected you are in this hobby.
It sounds like you made the right decision.

Thank you Terry, Margaret and all employees of Pinball Life . Open house was always great.

Thanks much for staying open. I liked the parties, but last year I was disappointed I couldn't actually *buy* anything. I grabbed a ticket, stayed a few hours.. long enough to realize it'd be next Tuesday before my number was called, and eventually left to beat traffic back to Chicago. I need to stock up on legs and was worried that wasn't going to be doable this year.

Thanks again for doing the parties, and getting us parts!

Hopefully no broken glass this year.......

Terry, you rock. Always have, and always will.

Run your party how you want. We will be just fine.

Pete

Can we just lay the blame on this guy?

770eb33720063bd3b79286af077d2d9840e47ffb (resized).jpg

Thanks for the great parties of the past! Your decision makes sense.

Terry,

Always glad you open up your place to us to buy parts. I never cared for the crowds. The food was always excellent though.
Glad you are still allowing us to preorder parts and stop in.
Thank you very much.

Tom.

I can totally understand what your Saying Terry. I was only there once (2-3 years ago) and it was totally packed beyond belief and I couldn't get on a game even if I wanted too. I did one lap around the room and I was done. I seen a lot of food and beer and kept thinking about the money it must cost to put that on. Not to mention the planning and the liability and I think your smart for cutting it off now before something really major happens. If you don't mind me asking though what happened that sent two people to the hospital?
As for my own party each year it has grown by leaps and bounds each year as well and at some point it may come to a end for various reasons but on the other hand I'd hate to turn anyone away. I'm not sure scaling it back is the answer for me but if it works for you then run with it and see how it goes.
Best of luck with whatever you decide to do and perhaps I'll make it back someday.

John P. Dayhuff
Battle Creek, Mi.
269-979-3836

I was there last year, was a really cool party you guys put on, it was a bit to packed for me but still had fun, you restocked the food and beer as fast as it was going. I can totally understand your decision.

Who were the two lightweights that can't handle their alcohol?

Thanks for sharing Terry!

Aaron
FAST Pinball

I have never been to one of their "parties" but I can say I have ordered several times and their prices are the best.

I always order from Pillball Life if they stock what I need and usually they do.

Wish I was closer!

thanks for opening your doors yet again to us. looking forward to swinging by and spending more money and chatting with you and the gang.

tell me that we can still yell "LIONMAN!" through the megaphone (please

Overcrowded is an big issue even with out Alcohol.

Just renumber the trampling death of a Long Island security worker at a Black Friday sale. Or The Station nightclub fire.

In a stampede you can't stop and can't look down. Also if there is a fire in a small place with a lot of people it can be a rush to get out.

Terry and Margeret, I was honoured to be at the Pinballlife party last year, and it was the highlight of our 4 week trip. All the kiwis that I bought with me say the same thing. Highlight of the Expo weekend, for sure.

The way it was going though, you'd need another warehouse the same size again, and 20 more staff to run it! So I think you've made the right decision, for your own sanity anyway ...

Thanks again for having us last year.

Dave.

I think this is smart, hope it works out well for you and the company you deserve it.

Now I can say that my biggest regret since getting involved in this hobby is to not have attended the PBL Expo party during its Studio 54 days!

In all seriousness I feel very fortunate to have a quality company owned and operated by quality people within a 25 minute drive time from my home. Sometimes the highlight of my week is driving to PBL to pick up parts. Thanks for everything Terry.

PBL 4 Eva!!!

Totally understand. A wise decision.

Terry and Margret - Thanks so much for the great party the last two years (only time I have been!). Hope to make it back again even if it is scaled down. Keep up the great work!

I've always been amazed you served alcohol, just too much liability there. Glad you're still doing it, maybe splitting it up in 2 days will also reduce the crowds. You still looking to add games?

Last year was my first Expo and Pinball Life party. Your party was amazing. If something like this could be controlled and manageable in similar fashion it would be one of the highlights of the year.

Completely understand regarding the issues mentioned. Thanks for all that you do.

Can you have a cardboard cutout of bangerjay available that says "LIONMAN!" when you push the button?

I actually brought my one-year-old to last year's party. He had a great time.

My dad and I have attended multiple pinball life open houses, and we have always had fun. Thank you so much for opening your doors to the pinball community!

Pinball Life Explosion was like an ultimate underground rock concert for pinball. Glad I bought an event shirt and pinball parts to support Terry and company for all their efforts. Thank you.

Thanks for everything you and Margaret have done and still do. Nothing but respect and appreciation for you both. Keep on keepin' on.

It's all good, and we will still be looking forward to the visit, and the specials!

I support this decision; but in absentee as I won't be going to Chicago until certain show's leadership changes.
I wish you luck for this and all future events.

Everyone is sick and tired of the half assed way the Expo has been run lately. I wont be donating time, money, and multiple pins myself again unless they start listening to reasonable feedback (and ive tried having two conv. with the person who runs it, and was not received in a friendly way). Collect the keys so we can fix no sound and stuck balls. Have a tech fixing freeplay machines like you advertise and never do (mine hve broken down during the show and i had no help fixing any, 3 yrs in a row). Require sold pins to wait until Sunday to remove so people who pay for saturday arent jipped. Dont close down all eve on the prime family night for private awards that dont end on time. I have countless examples from peeps who are not going anymore, or not donating, for these very reasons. Dozens.

I only go to Expo for 2 reasons:
* See the latest release by whichever pinball company (before it shows up in public locations, or perhaps never because it's rare)
* See the homebrew pinball projects

1. I don't pay to go to any of the talks, I'm fine with catching up on news through pinballnews.com (but would happily pay a fee to listen to mp3 recordings, or better yet video). I don't care if pacek uploaded them to youtube and charged me $1 per video.
2. It used to be about chatting with local friends, but since attendance is down that's not so true anymore
3. I care little about playing past pinballs, at least if that's the only reason to go, unless there happens to be something rare I've yet to play

Number 3 above: I think this is most hobbyists point of view. Unfortunately, an expo can't be profitable (or break even) by collectors alone. Most of the general public come to just play pinball for a few hours for $20. If the number of pins keep going down every year, the average person is going to think the show is dying and maybe doesn't bother coming anymore.

I take it that none of you three will help Mike with his request for a Gottlieb System 3 cabinet:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/help-needed-for-pinball-expo#post-3341102

Will a Predator playfield fit in this cabinet?

It's my first year to Chicago Expo. I buy lots from Pinball Life - great stuff when you need it. Would love to make a side trip there. How does one get on the smaller invite list? Will you have a vender booth at expo too?

Happy I got a chance to stop by last year, even happier to have a more mellow event this year. Thank you. I'll have my preorder ready.

If I had to guess, the cab he wants is for this playfield: https://missionpinball.com/blog/2016/02/resurrecting-gottliebs-brooks-dunn/