All seminars/talks/discussions that have a subject matter which interests you. Free play area. Vendors selling stuff you need as well as stuff you didn't know you need. Especially if the prices are better than by internet. Plus you save shipping charges if you drive in. Pinball Life party on Friday.

Stern tour if you can as it's at their new, larger plant.

In no particular order:
People
Pinball
Pinball Life Explosion Open House
People
Parts and Vendors
Stern Tour
Twin Peaks
Pequod's
People
LTG
Tournaments
People
Seminars
Free Play Room
Parts
Borygard
Superdawg
People
Pacak (LOL not really)
Giordanos
People

Is there a way to get into just the seminars you want, without paying for the $60/all seminars pass? I really only want to go to the JJP one.

The one off/ special pinball machine row in the vendor hall is the absolute highlight of the show for me each year, followed closely by EXPLOSION (you MUST go) and then the brawl.

I could spend all of Expo in the vendor hall, and not even make the free play area, and be perfectly happy.

Pequod's!!!! And Giordano's. And Super Dog. And Portillo's.

In the hotel, the P-Roc booth/area is absolutely the greatest thing ever. Lots of great custom games.

Expo's the greatest show in the country in my opinion, there's nothing like it, despite some issues here and there.

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

What kind of issues?
Issues that are legit?
Or fun issues like "OH MY GOD THE BUILDINGS ON FIRE AND I CANT FIND MY PANTS?"

Pinball explosion is the event that Terry at PBL holds at his warehouse.

It's a good time with about 50 machines.

I think just the big pump and dump tournaments out in the main hallway. I love playing in tourneys and it is one that I never even play in. It is boring and pretty much a pot pumper for a top person to win. Unless they changed it, last I check it was pretty expensive and time consuming, when I woudl rather be doing other things with the limited time at expo.

Terry at Pinball Life usually has one at his place on Friday. The only other is the Flipout tournament in the lobby/hallway.

Best thing is to play all the games all night long. No lines. Have a few beers and talk to local collectors also people from out of town. It's where people unveil new machines and projects working on. Last year the had the TBL there and not just one but 3 games. Just a lot of pin heads having good fun. Whysnow is right, the best part is the vendor machine boutique row if you call it. special games and projects you will never play again. From a player this is awesome.

http://pinballexpo.net/flipout.php

http://www.pinballexpo.net/flipout.pdf