Thank Yous and Farewell; Expo &#039;15

As I've said many times now, my repair room at Expo does not happen without the help of many friends. I want to publicly thank everyone who helped with load-in, load-out, moving stuff, stocking stuff, bringing stuff, buying stuff, and stuffing stuff. With special thanks to...

Vince Giovannone
Angela Giovannone
Mark Czarnowski
Dale Brown
Eric Priepke
Liz Priepke
Steve Tsubota
Keith Jasinski
Troy Smith
Andrew Barney
Chris Basler
Joe Kace
Lloyd Olsen
Ryan Claytor
Chuck Emery
Kayte Emery
Gerry Stellenberg
Brandon Nuss
Cliff Rinear
Ross Simpson
Kevin Ketchum
Aaron Mills
John Wart
Tony Clark
Jack Guarnieri
Joe Duider
Nikki Duider
Darren Sheldon
Jonathan Joosten

If I miss someone, it’s not because I don't appreciate what you did, I'm just slightly on the verge of crazy, and just forgot.

As for the Farewell, I'm told I'm not allowed back next year, so see everyone at one of the other great shows across the country.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

#2 8 years ago

000

DCfoodfreak

Pinside+ Pro!

12y 115K 9,906 8 15

What the ??
Looks like TPF will soon replace expo.

#3 8 years ago

2+2

Jgaltr56

Pinside+ Member

9y 76,350 1,200 15

That sucks! I'm glad I got a chance to meet you then.

#4 8 years ago

SKN

Skins

Star Pinball Restoration

12y 101K 4,375 47

Quoted from DCfoodfreak:
What the ??
Looks like TPF will soon replace expo.

It's where all the cool kids are; and me.

#5 8 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

11y 158K 58,782

OP
Quoted from Borygard:
I'm told I'm not allowed back next year

That sucks! I was told I wouldn't be allowed back either and I didn't even go.

#6 8 years ago

CWG

Chrizg

dsmpinball

Des Moines, IA

12y 93,550 2,084 5

Told by the hotel or Mike/Rob ?

#7 8 years ago

DOG

Whysnow

Pinside member

12y 187K 35,338 30 1

sounds like the organizers are on a 1 way adventure to completely kill expo!

I go to expo for VERY few things and one of those things is to go to your vendor area specifically; with the knowledge that you will have much of what I need!

#8 8 years ago

MJA

Mitch

Pinside member

Wellesley, ON

10y 131K 5,030 18 38

that's crazy why did you get kicked out?

#9 8 years ago

JAQ

vdojaq

Pinside+ Frequent

Crystal Lake, IL

11y 101K 6,036 24 1

Quoted from Chrizg:
Told by the hotel or Mike/Rob ?

If he was told by the Hotel, then Mike P. needs to stand up and threaten to move the show. If it was Mike P. that told him he is not welcome back, then it is time for someone to start an alternative show in the Chicago area.

I really would like to know which it is.

#10 8 years ago

GRV

GravitaR

Pinside member

Saginaw, MI

12y 129K 2,920 31 71

Likely by the hotel due to selling soda in his room / vendor booth. Hence no Mr. Soda guy in the vendor hall this year.

#11 8 years ago

JAQ

vdojaq

Pinside+ Frequent

Crystal Lake, IL

11y 101K 6,036 24 1

Quoted from GravitaR:
Likely by the hotel due to selling soda in his room / vendor booth. Hence no Mr. Soda guy in the vendor hall this year.

But it is OK for some dude to sell his overpriced fudge and gummi bears in the vendor hall?

#12 8 years ago

ROB

Borygard

Well, what I know goes like this…

I heard throughout the weekend from some friends that Mike told them he wasn't allowing me back next year. 'Whatever' was basically my thought, if he’s got something to say, he knows where to find me. Didn't hear a thing from him, so I called him on my way home from Expo on Monday. Got hung up on. Tried again thinking it was possibly a dropped call, got yelled at and hung up on again. Figured I’d give it a bit of time for him to call me back, nothing. No worries on my end, there’s lots more shows across the country that are much more enjoyable. Can't say I won’t miss it, but I'll live.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

#13 8 years ago

DIK

davewtf

Pinside member

Madison, WI

12y 84,400 9,740 1 114

Quoted from o-din:
I was told I wouldn't be allowed back either and I didn't even go.

your reputation precedes you

#14 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Pinball-Mods.com

Austin, TX

11y 112K 7,863 15 10

OP
Quoted from Borygard:
If I miss someone, it’s not because I don't appreciate what you did, I'm just slightly on the verge of crazy, and just forgot.
As for the Farewell, I'm told I'm not allowed back next year, so see everyone at one of the other great shows across the country.

Wow... really; Tools... the whole lot of them (the show organizers).
Looks like they are digging their own grave. Good to see.

#15 8 years ago

MOO

metallik

Pinside member

Cincinnati, OH

11y 117K 6,521 44

....emailing mike to figure out wtf is going on..

#16 8 years ago

TAM

tamoore

Pinside member

Grayling, MI

11y 123K 6,661 37 58

Mike is a dick. That's what's going on.

#17 8 years ago

MOO

metallik

Pinside member

Cincinnati, OH

11y 117K 6,521 44

He's not usually... something must be up... maybe he got cussed out by hotel for soda sales? hotels like westin are stupidly anal about their corkage charges and exclusivity..

#18 8 years ago

ROB

Borygard

If it was the soda, or something the hotel wasn't happy about, I would have heard about it IMMEDIATELY, as in years past.

I know Mike's probably pretty unhappy with the game and vendor turnout this year, but even he has to know by now, that he’s the entire reason attendees, game bringers, and vendors want nothing to do with Expo any more. You can’t scream and yell at people and expect them to feel warm and fuzzy about you.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

#19 8 years ago

D L

charliebrown2417

Pinside member

Kent, OH

8y 54,400 136 5 352

That really sucks, and this is a huge disapointment. This was my first expo, and meeting you and your friends was certainly a highlight. Have no idea why you wouldn't be invited back, but if this is how expo is run, I'm not sure I will want to come next year.

#20 8 years ago

DOG

pmWolf

Pinside Moderator

Union City, MI

13y 157K 4,525 59 112

I'm floored.

This makes no sense at all.

I do hope it gets worked out. I really appreciate all you do at these shows.

Pete

#21 8 years ago

???

DevilsTuner

Pinside member

Eau Claire, WI

9y 29,400 809

Pacak has finally flipped his over sized balloon head. surprised it took this long. He is nutty as fuck anyway.

#22 8 years ago

JWD

jdoz2

Inner Orbit Pinball

11y 132K 2,444 26 1

Tpf has already replaced expo in my book. Last year was a fluke it seems like. Sorry to hear he's such a dick

#23 8 years ago

JWJ

johnwartjr

That Pinball Place

Columbus, IN

12y 77,400 6,479 14

Really bummed to hear that. Your repair room is generally my first stop at Expo to visit!

Guess I'll have to visit with you at another show somewhere!

#24 8 years ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,554 14 12

I can't wait to see Robs show schedule for next year.

#25 8 years ago

CDF

Collin

Pinside member

Columbus, OH

11y 116K 5,271 29 82

I appreciated Borygard fixing my Bad Cats for the Xpin booth. I would have been SOL otherwise.

No Borygard = no Collin bringing games.

#26 8 years ago

JSN

jfesler

Pinside member

9y 92,050 1,793 18 11

Sorry to hear that, Rob. Shitty way to have it communicated to you; and just shitty in general.

Wife and I half considered expo this year. Kept hearing a lot about it, like it was some big thing. With all the reports this weekend, glad we didn't make a special trip to Chicago. *Especially* after having been spoiled with TPF 2015 as our first pinball show.

Speaking of which: Booked for TPF 2016.

#27 8 years ago

AAA

Pinwow

Pinside+ Frequent

10y 64,400 2,943

every year I liked going into that cool little side room and saying hello, and seeing all of the different machines you would have in there (P-Roc stuff last year, stuff you were repairing this year, etc)
At least you'll probably still go to Kzoo

#28 8 years ago

VIC

splitskull

Pinside member

11y 45,300 440

Quoted from DevilsTuner:
Pacak has finally flipped his over sized balloon head. surprised it took this long. He is nutty as fuck anyway.

lol

#29 8 years ago

ROB

Borygard

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/borygards-2015-show-schedule

I don't want to see this be a negative bash Mike thread. Most of my post is thanking all the great people that help out, more than just me and my booth, but the entire show.

Mike's not a bad guy, outside of Expo I'd consider him a friend. I like no-nonsense folks that don't beat around the bush and he's certainly that. It's just at, around, and about Expo, he's extremely difficult and mostly abusive.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

#30 8 years ago

JIG

jwilson

Pinball Art Prints

Toronto, ON

9y 106K 5,051 6 7

OP
Quoted from Borygard:
You can’t scream and yell at people and expect them to feel warm and fuzzy about you.

I had forgotten how much of an asshole he is. I get that I'm not exactly Pacak's favourite person but dude, act like a professional with your vendors.

#31 8 years ago

LIZ

Elix72

Pinside member

Muskego, WI

10y 39,650 136 7

Well crap. I can't go TPF. I work MGC weekend. You aren't coming to Expo? When the heck am I supposed to get my Taro and part selling fix? Sheesh.

#32 8 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,926 22 1

I recall you weren't planning on coming to Expo (based on your show schedule posted early this year) and Mike asked you to come to Expo; right here on Pinside. Why would he change his mind? Maybe there's more to the situation.

#33 8 years ago

HAZ

hank527

Pinside+ Addict

13y 128K 5,422 248

Why would he do this?

#34 8 years ago

SCC

mrgone

Pinside member

Casper, WY

12y 119K 5,181 4 54

Expo's loss. Everyone else's gain.

I sure hope you will be at pin a go go this year. I can't say enough about how fast you got the any nvram installed ony whirlwind board.

It's great folks like you rob that keep our games going for years to come. See you at pagg.

#35 8 years ago

DPF

Ballypalooza

Pinside member

St Joseph, IL

9y 54,400 654 56

Sounds like Expo is going down the toilet. Along with the Cubs, City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois. What sucks is I still live here. Doh!!!

#36 8 years ago

BOO

Jetzxi

Inactive member

13y 79,450 2,307 13 45

Hard to not bash Mike but I think it's time for someone else to take over this show.

Rob Anthony not invited back? That there is some bull shit but hay there are plenty of better shows out there that are welcoming you with open arms.....I'd imagine. Just wait until Texas starts doing more seminars.......Expo? Never heard of it!

See ya in Texas, MGC and probably Kalamazoo!

#38 8 years ago

???

Pinphila

Pinside+ Addict

12y 85,300 4,521 1

Rob is a great guy. Met him a couple times. Come on back to Allentown or pintastic. East coast would welcome you!

#39 8 years ago

JCD

WaddleJrJr

Pinside member

Avon, OH

9y 91,900 2,738 22 20

Sounds like this year may have been my first and last expo, unless the organizers seriously start changing the way things are done around there. It seems wrong to provide so much support to such an unfriendly show when there are so many other terrific shows with great passionate organizers.

#40 8 years ago

ROB

Borygard

Quoted from hank527:
Why would he do this?

Yeah, I really don't know. I posted what I know and don't want to get into speculation, when I just don't know.

Like I said, maybe just a bad show for him and it is what it is.

The first time I called I asked if he had a minute, he said he was driving in Chicago and to be quick. I told him I heard he wasn't allowing me back next year, and I wanted to hear it from him, and why. That's when he hung up the first time. The second time, I didn't get a chance to say anything.

Quoted from MrBally:
I recall you weren't planning on coming to Expo (based on your show schedule posted early this year) and Mike asked you to come to Expo; right here on Pinside. Why would he change his mind? Maybe there's more to the situation.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/borygards-2015-show-schedule

This is our texts after the hang ups, relating to my not planning on doing Expo because of the burglaries on my property...

Expo.png

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

#41 8 years ago

ROB

Borygard

Quoted from Elix72:
Well crap. I can't go TPF. I work MGC weekend. You aren't coming to Expo? When the heck am I supposed to get my Taro and part selling fix? Sheesh.

I could always swing by when near Muskego, and get you some Taro hugs. I could also bring some parts along and set up the tablet if you really need a selling fix.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

#42 8 years ago

DON

ilovegames007

Pinside member

Westlake, OH

13y 61,800 687 4 20

OP
Quoted from Borygard:
Yeah, I really don't know. I posted what I know and don't want to get into speculation, when I just don't know.
Like I said, maybe just a bad show for him and it is what it is.
The first time I called I asked if he had a minute, he said he was driving in Chicago and to be quick. I told him I heard he wasn't allowing me back next year, and I wanted to hear it from him, and why. That's when he hung up the first time. The second time, I didn't get a chance to say anything.

This is our texts after the hang ups, relating to my not planning on doing Expo because of the burglaries on my property...
Expo.png
--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

Really not a fan of personal texts on a public forum, he has really taken care of you over the years at expo.

#43 8 years ago

ROB

Borygard