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Chicago Pinball Expo 2024
- Thread starter DanMoon
- Start date
I’m going and sharing with @Fantazia2
Ive been to both. Both very good but also very different.
Depends what you want realy. if its to see the 'pinball famous' then expo is the place for you. Also as you say, the factory tours happen from expo. The floor at expo has no covering over the bare concrete (90+% uncovered) this may sound frivolous but it makes a massive difference to your feet after standing all day on it. Expo seemed to always be busy. expo has loads of machines but more than half are from Bob Berks pastimes arcade and are of varying condition, most showing their age
Texas (TPF) is a lot more laid back but is also busy but seems less crowded (possibly due to layout) TPF felt much larger floor area.
Expo is an 'industry' show TPF is an ' pin enthusiast' show.
I will be back at both but if only one and not interested in the factory tour(s) id go to TPF
.....
Edit: Expo also has the pin olympics which is a must (if you can get a ticket) playing games on a turntable, upside down via mirrors etc etc though it takes you away from the expo for a day
Depends what you want realy. if its to see the 'pinball famous' then expo is the place for you. Also as you say, the factory tours happen from expo. The floor at expo has no covering over the bare concrete (90+% uncovered) this may sound frivolous but it makes a massive difference to your feet after standing all day on it. Expo seemed to always be busy. expo has loads of machines but more than half are from Bob Berks pastimes arcade and are of varying condition, most showing their age
Texas (TPF) is a lot more laid back but is also busy but seems less crowded (possibly due to layout) TPF felt much larger floor area.
Expo is an 'industry' show TPF is an ' pin enthusiast' show.
I will be back at both but if only one and not interested in the factory tour(s) id go to TPF
.....
Edit: Expo also has the pin olympics which is a must (if you can get a ticket) playing games on a turntable, upside down via mirrors etc etc though it takes you away from the expo for a day
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Thank you for that . Someone else noted Texas as the preferred event but i just wanted to get a 2nd opinion. It’s not something to just do on the fly, mainly cost wise. I got mates in San Diego and Oklahoma and so preference is Texas as i can hopefully meet up with them
A full week of pinball and factory tours could be pushing the boat out too far
But certainly 1 tour would be a joy
A full week of pinball and factory tours could be pushing the boat out too far
But certainly 1 tour would be a joy