NLP used to be held in October every year, did that clash with other events?
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When should ukpinfest 2020 be held? Poll added
- Thread starter Big Phil
- Start date
D
Deleted member 2463
Yup clashed with expo and I think EPC one year.
But less of an issue as there wasn’t a planned comp in it.
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But less of an issue as there wasn’t a planned comp in it.
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D
Deleted member 2463
Major city will be expensive but not a town or events place slightly out of town. Big cities should be avoided at all costs.
One thing I agree with though Steve is the room booking is a total farce - I wonder how many folks didn’t come because there was no rooms available only for more rooms to become available! Didn’t a few folks find there was no room for them also?
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Lroy
Registered
@pinballmania Wife and I have both been pondering over what could have been regarding your JUNKYARD! machine for sale. Quite the come down after such a fantastic weekend and the missing pinball already blues are making us think we possibly let what could have been our first table get away.
Thank you for taking some time to chat with me on the Sunday about prices and what might be a suitable 1st table for a couple of non-tech minded, very green newcomers to the pinball community. I was the nervous bloke rambling about Bally/Williams vs. Older Sterns - pros and cons for a 1st timer purchase.
Wife and I have loads to learn about what considerations are needed to own a pinball machine but she’s now as keen as I am after UK PinFest, so who knows? Perhaps we could still take a machine off your hands come next year’s event? [emoji6]
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Thank you for taking some time to chat with me on the Sunday about prices and what might be a suitable 1st table for a couple of non-tech minded, very green newcomers to the pinball community. I was the nervous bloke rambling about Bally/Williams vs. Older Sterns - pros and cons for a 1st timer purchase.
Wife and I have loads to learn about what considerations are needed to own a pinball machine but she’s now as keen as I am after UK PinFest, so who knows? Perhaps we could still take a machine off your hands come next year’s event? [emoji6]
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Northampton isnt far from daventry and there is a hotel in the town centre that hosts collector fairs and the like, rates might be ok if they can make it work for those sort of events? Loads of parking and hotel rooms on site and it's a short walk from the train station.
OP
OP
I'll pass on the comments about the aircon to the hotel. Going to speak to them shortly. I'll also investigate portable aircon units. Anyone work in the trade where we could "borrow" some? Saves on costs 
It's pointless moving to a bigger more expensive venue as the donation numbers were down. Think I only turned away Dave but he still came with parts. Yeah, we could have probably gotten a few more in there. More machines, more transport costs. The balance of attendance/machines this year was about right. All I can do is ask. Please support the event and donate your pride and joy
If we make/want more bigger competitions, we're going to have to utilise the side rooms. No other option. The two smaller rooms at the back could accommodate EM's as they're narrower. It'll have to be discussed and planned.
There were no talks this year but I did try. I invited all the big manufacturers, apart from Dutch Pinball, but by the time they'd sorted their issues, it was too late. Sppoky Pinball were the most responsive with me and they *may* attend next year.
Hotel booking was a nightmare as was the previous year. Guess that comes as part of being a corporate giant. Plus closing the bar early on Thursday and Friday night must have been disastrous for them. And if you got one of the 40 pizzas they accidentally gave away for FREE on Friday, well done!
As it is, it's a nice size to organise. I work full time. I do this and NERG in my spare time.
A lot of talk about balance. I knew watching The Karate Kid a hundred times would come in handy one day. See Mother, you were wrong
It's pointless moving to a bigger more expensive venue as the donation numbers were down. Think I only turned away Dave but he still came with parts. Yeah, we could have probably gotten a few more in there. More machines, more transport costs. The balance of attendance/machines this year was about right. All I can do is ask. Please support the event and donate your pride and joy
If we make/want more bigger competitions, we're going to have to utilise the side rooms. No other option. The two smaller rooms at the back could accommodate EM's as they're narrower. It'll have to be discussed and planned.
There were no talks this year but I did try. I invited all the big manufacturers, apart from Dutch Pinball, but by the time they'd sorted their issues, it was too late. Sppoky Pinball were the most responsive with me and they *may* attend next year.
Hotel booking was a nightmare as was the previous year. Guess that comes as part of being a corporate giant. Plus closing the bar early on Thursday and Friday night must have been disastrous for them. And if you got one of the 40 pizzas they accidentally gave away for FREE on Friday, well done!
As it is, it's a nice size to organise. I work full time. I do this and NERG in my spare time.
A lot of talk about balance. I knew watching The Karate Kid a hundred times would come in handy one day. See Mother, you were wrong
OP
OP
What's it called, Dan?
Park Inn by raddison.
Silver St, Northampton NN1 2TA
Silver St, Northampton NN1 2TA
Hopefully next year there can be a lot more discussion a long time beforehand regarding the different comps so they all fit together perfectly.
Stall ball worked brilliantly Fri and Sat night and was a lot of fun with great prizes.
The league finals were well received.
I don't know how the flight club/hidden comp went, but I did see some people taking photos of their scores, so some people were entering and it didn't detract from anything else, perhaps it could even be publicised more next year and added to the list of comps right from the start.
A separate classics comp is also being discussed
A kid comp of some description is also a priority imho.
The biggest issue with all of these is having enough experienced TDs and score takers to ensure they all run smoothly; as if they don't go well that is all that people will remember.
Stall ball worked brilliantly Fri and Sat night and was a lot of fun with great prizes.
The league finals were well received.
I don't know how the flight club/hidden comp went, but I did see some people taking photos of their scores, so some people were entering and it didn't detract from anything else, perhaps it could even be publicised more next year and added to the list of comps right from the start.
A separate classics comp is also being discussed
A kid comp of some description is also a priority imho.
The biggest issue with all of these is having enough experienced TDs and score takers to ensure they all run smoothly; as if they don't go well that is all that people will remember.
I’d like to volunteer as score keeper for next year!
Please can you take me into consideration at planning stage.
Many thanks
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Some signs would have been a good plan, I erred on the other side of caution - I wasn't in any of the comps and assumed that all the games up from BK3K (the line that ended with Dialed in on one corner to the back of the room) were comp games as the scoring setup etc was in that area so I didn't venture round that side at all.
The venue is spot on. It is reasonably located geographically speaking, its uba great that you can play pins, go to bed, then repeat in the morning all within a short walk form the hotel room. In no way would i call the hotel, staff or services under Pa at all for the money and target market. I like the idea of using the rooms on the outside for more variety (all cost though) but would need to return back that money into Phil somehow. MBA was great fun, could play that all day. Would be good to have other competitions like that where the playing field is levelled a bit and the object is fun. Didn't realise all the pins at the top (including mine) would be tied up all weekend. Maybe put the comp on in other rooms and move a few about at the end of the day, you can handle access easier then too and avoid anyone making a mistake and trying to play them that shouldn't be.
The heat is a bummer, but don't think there is anything that can be done. Additional units will need to be vented and drained to the outside - not as easy as you think.
The watching the tournament too, a link into the TV in the bar or others scattered around would be good we get the commentary with it as well then. Maybe even event details popping up with times and callouts - used for a few adverts aswell.
As a pin donar, unofficial fixer, and attendee - i think Phil and team have done a fantastic job this year. If nothing changed would still support next year.
Anybody with issues about the variety or volume of pins, you know what to do - be a part of it and bring your own
.
Thanks!
JB
The heat is a bummer, but don't think there is anything that can be done. Additional units will need to be vented and drained to the outside - not as easy as you think.
The watching the tournament too, a link into the TV in the bar or others scattered around would be good we get the commentary with it as well then. Maybe even event details popping up with times and callouts - used for a few adverts aswell.
As a pin donar, unofficial fixer, and attendee - i think Phil and team have done a fantastic job this year. If nothing changed would still support next year.
Anybody with issues about the variety or volume of pins, you know what to do - be a part of it and bring your own
.Thanks!
JB
More Stewards for this...…. and to keep tabs on players 'tactics'.
Whilst playing the B league finals, a lot of people were coming up to try play the machines in between and had to keep explaining a comp was underway... realise a PITA to move machines about, but having these in a separate room (and duplicate titles) makes a lot of sense if possible.
Last edited:
D
Deleted member 2463
That makes sense as last year whilst it wasn’t as hot it want exactly freezing either and the room felt cold like the dining room.
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I’ll have u know I practice good hygiene shame the same can’t be said for all pinheads lol
Phil great weekend !!!!!!
you and the crew thank you
venue fine, heat a bit of a killer, great to meet everyone and good range of machines.
I'll like to keep a bank holiday weekend, as I've managed to book the Friday next year, gives people the option to stay on or go home and still have some time of the weekend for some to spend with the rest of the family.
can we get a direct line to the hotel to book, to save problems, as last year I phoned many times, and kept getting told they where fully booked and stayed elsewhere .
thanks again looking forward to 2020
you and the crew thank you
venue fine, heat a bit of a killer, great to meet everyone and good range of machines.
I'll like to keep a bank holiday weekend, as I've managed to book the Friday next year, gives people the option to stay on or go home and still have some time of the weekend for some to spend with the rest of the family.
can we get a direct line to the hotel to book, to save problems, as last year I phoned many times, and kept getting told they where fully booked and stayed elsewhere .
thanks again looking forward to 2020
I was told twice they were comp games and were out of bounds
Another venue you might want to consider is the Jury’s Inn at Hinckley Island (J1 M69). Literally at the junction. Very easy access for M69, M1, M6, M5 & M40. It has some good function rooms like the one you had at Daventry.
Might be helpful if you need an alternative to Daventry (which worked great for me).
Thinking dark days are better for spending your time playing pinball - like maybe February... is that a daft idea?
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Might be helpful if you need an alternative to Daventry (which worked great for me).
Thinking dark days are better for spending your time playing pinball - like maybe February... is that a daft idea?
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OP
OP
I tried the Jury's Inn. Very expensive......
Currently in talks with Park Inn Northampton. Looks promising.
Currently in talks with Park Inn Northampton. Looks promising.
Pot?
OP
OP
Yeah
my vote goes to keeping the August bank hol, means more of us travelling from far can stay the sunday night without loosing a days pay/holiday on the Monday. also public always looking for something to do on a bh weekend. all down to the added venue/van hire costs a bh weekend creates though. personally i would attend whenever it is. also i would much prefare it to stay at Daventry we have everything under the one roof then. Agree that we need to keep the league machines seperate
The last Bank holiday before Christmas is usually chaos where I work ( I work on the railway) and I'd love to stay away from it all but that's just me.
OP
OP
OK so we have a few options open right now. Two venues and 3 weeknds to look at - Mercure Daventry or Park Inn Northampton.
Looks like the Moto GP is very popular on a bank holiday weekend as are people dashing away to make the most of it as well as festival traffic. For the staff, it helps as we have one less holiday to take at work. No big deal I guess but it's been brought up. Anyway....
August 21st, 22nd, 23rd - Park Inn Northampton - Roughly same venue hire costs and B&B costs are the same or Daventry
August 28th, 29th, 30th(bank holiday) - Daventry - Same venue hire costs but B&B rates will be slightly higher. Park Inn is much higher venue and bedroom rates due to Moto GP
September 4th, 5th, 6th - Daventry - Venue hire slightly higher but same B&B rates. Date not available for Park Inn
No other dates in September available due to some selfish sod and his team going to Florida for a holiday. Sack them I say.
Pro's and cons: -
The Park Inn is untested but modern and has two large rooms. One of them could be used exclusively for competitions. It's in the town centre with good transport links. Not allowed into the venue until first thing Friday morning and must clear it by Sunday evening. No big deal. Staff could still travel there on the Thursday and leave the vans full overnight.
Daventry. Tried and tested. Very laid back and just lets us crack on. Management didn't even come to see me until Friday afternoon and we were there just doing what we wanted from 12pm Thursday. Air con issues and BAR ISSUES!!(v important)
The Park Inn plan
Main Event Room
Bar
Competition Room
Access around the sides and via the fire doors. Electrics good too. Dan is going to scout it out in the next few days.
Have a zoom around yourselves -https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=eonPHG1CZbY
Looks like the Moto GP is very popular on a bank holiday weekend as are people dashing away to make the most of it as well as festival traffic. For the staff, it helps as we have one less holiday to take at work. No big deal I guess but it's been brought up. Anyway....
August 21st, 22nd, 23rd - Park Inn Northampton - Roughly same venue hire costs and B&B costs are the same or Daventry
August 28th, 29th, 30th(bank holiday) - Daventry - Same venue hire costs but B&B rates will be slightly higher. Park Inn is much higher venue and bedroom rates due to Moto GP
September 4th, 5th, 6th - Daventry - Venue hire slightly higher but same B&B rates. Date not available for Park Inn
No other dates in September available due to some selfish sod and his team going to Florida for a holiday. Sack them I say.
Pro's and cons: -
The Park Inn is untested but modern and has two large rooms. One of them could be used exclusively for competitions. It's in the town centre with good transport links. Not allowed into the venue until first thing Friday morning and must clear it by Sunday evening. No big deal. Staff could still travel there on the Thursday and leave the vans full overnight.
Daventry. Tried and tested. Very laid back and just lets us crack on. Management didn't even come to see me until Friday afternoon and we were there just doing what we wanted from 12pm Thursday. Air con issues and BAR ISSUES!!(v important)
The Park Inn plan
Main Event Room
Bar
Competition Room
Access around the sides and via the fire doors. Electrics good too. Dan is going to scout it out in the next few days.
Have a zoom around yourselves -https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=eonPHG1CZbY
If I had a van,would I leave it loaded up with,what 30k of pins overnight?Nope.probably not even one pin.
Northampton venue does look nice, tho , at the mo unknown whether staff are more laid back like Daventry or not, and power would need to be checked out.
Brekkie probably at same level as premier inn,Daventry etc?
October, unless we are expecting loads of foreigners, why not then. We probably lose more pinheads cos its Aug than the people we would lose cos of Oct
Northampton venue does look nice, tho , at the mo unknown whether staff are more laid back like Daventry or not, and power would need to be checked out.
Brekkie probably at same level as premier inn,Daventry etc?
October, unless we are expecting loads of foreigners, why not then. We probably lose more pinheads cos its Aug than the people we would lose cos of Oct