Sad to see the roof collapsing on this long run show.

What a cluster F. While I had reservations, I was quite looking forward to MGC south and helping spread the magic that we make up here. Bummed for both Mike and Dan.

Did you read the latest update? Expo goes on, minus one person.

Correction. Expo goes on minus one person + everything that person brought to the show. I get that Mike's fan club is not as large as it might have been in the past, it will just be interesting to see what a show looks like without all his behind-the-scene efforts.

It sounds like it may be time to sit out this show completely and let things work themselves out for a year.

My time off is too valuable to plan on even the extended weekend unless some big players in the community announce that they are going to make things happen around this. If Dan/Gary were doing MGC south I would have been all in as we know they are proven as good dudes that can put a show together. Without them and all the infighting (that sounds far from over), I am not sure what to think...

Truly a sad time for Expo.

once again not my idea I tired hard to work things out with Berk was dead set on doing it alone with all control

Yes i have followed all. It just keeps changing!

I just made reservations yesterday too, good thing I can cancel them without a $ loss. Will be staying tuned. Hoping for changes.

That is how I feel if Mike isn't even allowed to attend.

LTG : (

Didn't Mike do the same with Gene C. wouldn't let him attend?

is that true?

(before my time)

yes Gene had a bogus lawsuit against me and my son which was dropped after a lawyer got involved and WILLIAMS told him so as It was bogus.. Cost me like 5600 for complete bullshit.. So yes Gene was told to stay away back then...

As time went by Mike also bent over backwards to have Gene come back to Expo.

LTG : )

I always looked forward to Expo each year even though it's a long drive.

I'll be heading to the York/White Rose show in October instead. The 3 1/2 hour shorter trip will be nice!

As time goes by I'm sure Mike will be welcome back at Expo. I could understand why Rob might not want him there this year (if that is indeed the case). Seems like every person who bumps into Mike would want to rehash the drama, even if Mike was just minding his business. Not a good vibe.

In happier news, Trent's tourney will be back and better than ever. Stern circuit, automated queueing, the whole shebang.
...

Flipout 2018 will be at the Westin on the original dates of Pinball Expo. Oct 18-21.

Format is the same as last year with seeding on Thursday and the B bracket starting Friday morning.

This year we will be using Never Drains queueing system for classics AND Thursday seeding in the main. #ABL

I recommend getting there early Thursday to make sure you get all your seeding games in.

We are a Stern Pro Circuit tournament this year. Hope everyone can make it again this year!

As usual the A division champion will get a new Stern pinball!

Questions and comments contact Trent at [email redacted].

I don’t think anyone will ever know the full story behind this whole Expo mess, but I don’t suggest boycotting the show because there was an argument. No one likes to here that Mike and Rob have split, but the show still will go on. Not only is it unfair to turn against Rob with uncertain facts, but it is unfair to turn against a show that many people look forward to each year. If everyone skips the Expo because of this, there will be no more Expo. The show is only as big as the community makes it.

I disagree, but I would peg the number of people who know everything at like four, and I don't think any of us care to go further with it.

Having said that, I would suggest the same thing that I do to everyone - support the show or don't support the show based on the merits that you see for the show itself. If the show doesn't look like it is worth your time, you shouldn't feel compelled to do something for it - in this case, that will be up to Rob to change your mind. If the show seems compelling and interesting, you should absolutely go support it.

I say the exact same thing about people coming to the Midwest Gaming Classic. A few months ago someone demanded that we share information with them about the show that I didn't feel comfortable saying, and I said if what we share online isn't good enough, then by all means, I support them not coming. It's up to whomever is the show promoter to figure out what makes the most sense.

Now, having said all that, I wish Rob the best. I think no matter what happened, this was going to be difficult to do. I don't know what to expect out of the show, and I'll watch and hope I can make it down this year.

I also wish Mike the best. I do think that he got the short end of the stick, but I also understand the decisions that Rob made. I would not have made the same decisions myself, which is a feeling that I have expressed with Rob myself, but it was his call not mine for that.

It's a bad situation all around. Like I said, it pains me to see it go down the way that it did, and for a show run by two people who I both consider friends and looked up to as inspiration when we were starting our own show years ago, it sucks to see it break up like this. Obviously, changes had to be made, and Rob did what he felt was needed to make those changes. We'll see how it all works in about six months!

Random thoughts on what has transpired over the past few weeks with Expo. These are simply my opinions...

I was excited for Expo again when I learned Dan and Gary would be taking on most of the organization of the show.

Rob Craig is a great guy and has experience putting on a great show for a number of years. He should be a great addition to Expo.

Mike taking a step back is a great thing for Expo, but I don't feel he should be banned from the show. It was his show just as much as it was Rob's. He should still be involved, he should still have his booth, but he should not have any contact with vendors or volunteers.

Expo has always been my favorite show in the country, it has a vibe and energy all its own, and definitely all about the people. Recent years have seen the show decline a lot. I'm hopeful that new blood can bring the show back to the great event that it has been.

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

I like Expo - I hope it's a good show regardless however it all plays out in the end this year. On my calendar and looking forward to it.

I'm a fan of Rob Craig. It could just be him in a room and I would attend.

-c

I agree solid guy for sure. super knowledgeable and wise

I have a feeling that Mike is not welcome for just this year. What Rob is probably avoiding is the possible conflict and confrontations that would happen with Mike and his booth that would have negative impact on the show. It's human, people will take sides and create chaos and bad vibes throughout the show.

I'll be doing the same. Mike is a GREAT GUY!! Mike being banned from the show is complete bullshit., What Rob did to Mike was Slimy. Mike would have never taken the buyout if Rob didn't tell him something different. Unfortunately that was never on paper.

Rob is not the nicest person involved with Expo.

+1.
While at TPF 2018 he came up to me and asked me about the game I was playing. We had a chill conversation and I told him I went to Expo in 2015 and 2016, but not planning to ever go back again. He listened to what I said and wanted to know my thoughts. I wish him the best towards his endeavors with Expo and will try to make it again in the future.

Just speculation on my part
but feel the real reason for the split up
boils down to
$$$$$

my two cents

Zero interest in supporting Expo at this point. Those of you who have enjoyed the Cincinnati pins in the freeplay hall, consider attending Pincinnati ( www.pincinnati.com ) instead.

Thanks a lot, Rob. Hope you're happy.

Dang, I'll miss the tank top and flip flops in 30 degree weather.

No more free chocolate for Bridgette.

Happy wife, happy life......

AGAIN I tried since november to talk to BERK to work things out at least for this year but he refused. I did not want to have it go down like this at all..

So now Rob is the “Founder” of Expo also? Back in history they would carve off the name of leaders etched in stone to erase their exsistance. Now we just type it up in our email.
I’ve kept my mouth shut being one of the few that know the rest of the story but that’s a real dick move Mr Berk!
33 years an that’s all there is?

1FBF04EB-4F87-4D5A-8BAB-127CD3DCC7BF (resized).jpeg

Added over 6 years ago: Mike Pacak confirmed it was Rob's idea. My apologies to Mr. Berk.

Reference

Pinball Expo Article Mark Salas[241] (resized).png

See you in Texas!

It always seemed to me that Rob was the (more) silent partner, perfectly wiling to take the credit when things went well and let Mike take the blame when they didn't. For years I didn't realize they were equal partners.

Mike has an incredible talent for shooting himself in the foot and his stubbornness and resistance to constructive criticism legendary, but whatever you think of Mike and his methods, his contribution to pinball and Expo cannot be erased or ignored by an email written by someone who couldn't even be bothered with a simple acknowledgment or thank you for 33 years of hard work and dedication.

I don't know if I'll ever know the whole story, but when I got the email it really rubbed me the wrong way. I understand the desire for Rob to move forward but both the competing (now canceled) show and this seem more petty than visionary.

History is written by the victor. The truth is whispered.
People say they know the true story but do share it with others.
So where is the true story to be found?

Asking to confirm if the Cincinnati Pinball League and the Chicago Pinball Mafia plan to bring their games to the "Berk Enterprises Expo".

This is like a celebrity divorce and I only hope they do what's best for the children.

The show must go on.

"The birth and growth of Pinball Expo
Founded in 1985, Pinball Expo is the longest-running event dedicated to pinball. It was conceived in 1984 by Robert "Rob" Berk of Warren, OH with the purpose of honoring his heroes of the pinball industry; the artists and designers. With the assistance of Bill Kurtz of Cleveland, OH and LATER Mike Pacak of Canfield, OH, the trio held their first event over the weekend of November 22–24, 1985 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare/Kennedy in Rosemont, IL. The inaugural event attracted around 100 attendees from all parts of the world and a dozen vendors."

Bill was a very, very big part of this. He knows the true story and I see that he is returning to this years Expo. Glad to see him return after all of these years.

Must it? I mean, I think "A" show must go on, but this show is just a debacle...as observed from the bleacher seats. I haven't attended Expo as a real guest in years, and this does not give me the warm and fuzzy feeling I need to return.

Just my personal opinion.

I don't care about the true story (aka drama); just want a good local pinball show that doesn't yell at its volunteers.

Seems like Cinci is out, but I plan to bring at least one game, and encourage my fellow ex-mafiosi to do the same.

Some of you guys are way too invested in the squabbling of a couple senior citizens. The show doesn't exist without us. Let's make it a good one.

Been to 14 in a row and plan on going this fall, too. Why do you think the attendance was down the last 2 years?
Why did James @ pinballinc say he'll never return to expo? Why did Rob Anthony not have is famous room at expo last year?
Why are they replaced by people selling ink pens?
Answer those questions and I'll bet they all have the same answer.

Next weekend pretend you are going to Expo except when you get to Milwaukee ave. Turn north. Drive for a little more than hour and you will be at MGC. A great pinball show with no yelling at volunteers.

I'll be there, but I prefer my local show.

Just to be clear, I really don't care about the squabbling - that's between Rob and Mike. However, without Mike, Expo is "just another pinball show" to me, and I have zero interest in hauling games to Chicago to support "just another pinball show." Right now I'll support Louisville and Pincinnati with games. I might *go* to Expo, but having never paid admission in the past, it'd be hard to pony up $150 for it. I see no reason for CPM to stop supporting it since it's your local show.

You really had to ask this after it's been covered many times? Search it out.