Pinball Expo is an event that happens every year in the Chicago area, where many pinball machines were made. The event brings together people who work in the pinball industry, pinball players, collectors, and fans from around the world. Robert "Rob" Berk from Warren, Ohio, started the event. It began on November 22–24, 1985, at the Holiday Inn O'Hare/Kennedy in Rosemont, IL. At the 33rd Pinball Expo on Saturday, October 14, 2017, Walter Day, the founder of Twin Galaxies, gave a presentation for Guinness World Records. He presented an award that recognized Pinball Expo as history's "longest-running pinball event."
Development
Pinball Expo was started in 1985 and is the longest event that focuses on pinball. It was created in 1984 by Robert "Rob" Berk from Warren, Ohio, to celebrate the people who helped make pinball famous, such as artists and designers. With help from Bill Kurtz from Cleveland, Ohio, and later Mike Pacak from Canfield, Ohio, the three men held the first event from November 22–24, 1985, at the Holiday Inn O'Hare/Kennedy in Rosemont, Illinois. The first event had about 100 people from around the world and 12 companies selling pinball-related items.
The event includes a tour of a pinball factory, a chance to get autographs, tournaments, and a hall showing pinball machines and related items. Experts in pinball give talks, and visitors can join a tournament called "Flip Out."
On October 26, 1991, Pinball Expo started its Hall of Fame and honored its first group of important pinball figures: David Gottlieb, Ray Moloney, Sam Stern, and Harry E. Williams. The event is open to everyone.
By 1998, the Pinball Expo had grown to include more than 200 pinball machines that visitors could play on the show floor.
Pinball World Premieres held at Pinball Expo
Pinball Expo is one of the most important pinball events in the world. Many pinball companies choose this event to show new games for the first time. Some of the games that are released at Pinball Expo include:
Pinball Expo Hall of Fame
At Pinball Expo '88, Rob Berk supported the idea of creating a Pinball Expo Hall of Fame. In 1991, the Hall of Fame was established, and the first members were Harry E. Williams, Sam Stern, Ray Moloney, and David Gottlieb.
Pinball Expo Service and Support Hall of Fame
The Pinball Expo's Service and Support Hall of Fame was created during the 2014 event to honor people and groups who have provided important help to the pinball hobby.