# PINBALL EXPO 2018 - WEDNESDAY **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2018-10-17 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/10/18/pinball-expo-2018-wednesday --- ## Analysis Pinball News provides a detailed photo-documentary of the Wednesday setup day at Pinball Expo 2018 (October 17-20 at the Westin Chicago North Shore). The article covers vendor hall setup, game hall preparation, registration, and the Bumper Blast welcome party sponsored by Deeproot Pinball, with remarks from organizer Rob Berk and tournament director Trent Augenstein. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] There has been a special effort this year to get more games to Expo — _Photo caption in Game Hall section indicates deliberate effort to increase machine availability for 2018 show_ - [HIGH] Bumper Blast welcome party was held at 7pm on Wednesday — _Article states 'Bumper Blast welcome party held at 7pm to mark the official start of the show'_ - [HIGH] Bumper Blast meal was sponsored by Deeproot Pinball — _Article explicitly states 'buffet meal – sponsored by Deeproot Pinball'_ ### Notable Quotes > "There has been a special effort this year to get more games to Expo" > — **Pinball News (photo caption)**, Wednesday setup > _Indicates show organizers prioritized increasing game availability/variety for 2018 edition_ > "The bouncers at Rob's room seem to get younger every year" > — **Pinball News (photo caption)**, Wednesday setup > _Humorous recurring observation about Rob Anthony's merchandise room, suggesting consistent attendance pattern_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Pinball Expo 2018 | event | Major annual pinball industry convention held October 17-20, 2018 at Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, Illinois | | Westin Chicago North Shore | organization | Hotel venue hosting Pinball Expo 2018 at 601 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL | | Rob Berk | person | Pinball Expo organizer who welcomed guests at Bumper Blast and thanked attendees | | Rob Anthony | person | Vendor with regular room at Expo selling pinball parts, add-ons, and merchandise | | Trent Augenstein | person | Tournament Director for Pinball Expo 2018, managing tournament area setup | | Deeproot Pinball | company | Sponsor of Bumper Blast welcome party buffet meal | | Bumper Blast | event | Welcome party event held at 7pm Wednesday, featuring buffet meal, drinks, and dessert; marks official start of Expo | | Game Hall | venue | Main gameplay area at Expo located behind Vendor Hall, housing playable pinball machines | | Vendor Hall | venue | Marketplace section at Expo featuring parts stands, merchandise vendors, and Escalera stair-climbing trolleys | | Circus Maximus | person|organization | Homebrew pinball designer/builder with Kingpin project on display at Expo 2018 | ### Topics - **Primary:** Pinball Expo 2018 - Event Logistics, Vendor Setup and Merchandise, Game Hall Preparation - **Secondary:** Tournament Infrastructure, Community Engagement Events ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Enthusiastic documentation of event preparation with emphasis on organized, well-stocked venue and strong turnout indicators. Warm tone toward organizers and sponsors. No criticism or concerns noted. ### Signals - **[event_signal]** Bumper Blast welcome party serving as official start marker for Expo with structured meal and organizer remarks (confidence: high) — Event held at 7pm Wednesday with buffet sponsored by Deeproot Pinball; Rob Berk introduced team and welcomed attendees - **[event_signal]** Pinball Expo 2018 demonstrates expanded game availability with deliberate effort to increase machines on display (confidence: high) — Photo caption states 'There has been a special effort this year to get more games to Expo' with visible game density in Game Hall photos - **[market_signal]** Multiple parts vendors and aftermarket equipment providers (Escalera trolleys, ball bowlers) present at Expo indicates mature operator/collector support ecosystem (confidence: high) — Multiple photos of vendor stands with parts inventory, specialized equipment, and merchandise displays --- ## Transcript Date: 17th - 20th October, 2018 Location: Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL 60090, USA Wednesday is really set-up day for Pinball Expo, but it is also the day for the Bumper Blast welcome party held at 7pm to mark the official start of the show. We got to the Westin hotel around 4pm, checked-in and checked-out what was happening in the show halls. ![The Westin Chicago North Shore - home of Pinball Expo 2018](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/002-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The Westin Chicago North Shore – home of Pinball Expo 2018 In the vendor hall, things were only just starting to get set up. ![The vendor hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/007-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The vendor hall ![Escalera stair-climbing trolleys are here](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/003-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Escalera stair-climbing trolleys are here ![Machines probably destined for one of the show's tournaments](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/004-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Machines probably destined for one of the show’s tournaments ![One of the many parts stands](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/005-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) One of the many parts stands ![A bunch of EM machines hiding in the corner](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/006-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) A bunch of EM machines hiding in the corner ![Ball bowlers are here too](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/009-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Ball bowlers are here too ![Circus Maximus's Kingpin project is here as well](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/010-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Circus Maximus’s Kingpin project is here as well ![Lots more boxes of pinball parts on another vendor's stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/008-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Lots more boxes of pinball parts on another vendor’s stand Next door, the Game Hall was filling up nicely. ![The Game Hall is located behind the Vendor Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/011-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The Game Hall is located behind the Vendor Hall ![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/017-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Inside the Game Hall ![There has been a special effort this year to get more games to Expo](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/012-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) There Expo ![The evidence so far is that there will be a nice turnout](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/013-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The turnout ![More machines in the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/014-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) More machines in the Game Hall ![Everyone in the Game Hall was working hard to set up their machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/015-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Everyone machines ![A few last-minute adjustments are always needed](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/016-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) A few last-minute adjustments are always needed Across the corridor, Rob Anthony has his usual room with assorted pinball parts, add-ons and other merchandise. ![The bouncers at Rob's room seem to get younger every year](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/019-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The bouncers at Rob’s room seem to get younger every year ![Rob Anthony's room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/018-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Rob Anthony’s room At around 5:30pm the registration desk opened so guests could collect their registration packs. ![The line at the registration desk](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/020-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The line at the registration desk At 7pm, the Bumper Blast welcome party began in the room used for the seminars. Guests who had registered and had name badges could help themselves to a buffet meal – sponsored by Deeproot Pinball – before entering the room to sit down and eat it. In addition to the buffet, there were soft drinks and an apple crisp dessert course. ![The front of the queue for dinner](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/022-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The front of the queue for dinner ![The salad course](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/023-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The salad course ![Pasta and sauces were available along with chicken pieces and soup](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/024-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Pasta soup ![The chicken dish](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/025-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The chicken dish ![The soft drinks available](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/029-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The soft drinks available ![The apple crisp dessert](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/030-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The apple crisp dessert ![The Bumper Blast crowd](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/026-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The Bumper Blast crowd After the meal, Pinball Expo organiser Rob Berk introduced the team who have been helping him with this year’s show, before thanking everyone for coming and hoping they have a wonderful next three days. ![Rob Berk welcomes guests](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/027-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Rob Berk welcomes guests ![Rob addressing the Bumper Blast crowd](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/028-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Rob addressing the Bumper Blast crowd We left soon after to write this report, pausing on the way to check on how the tournament area was shaping up. The machines were in place, and Tournament Director, Trent Augenstein was looking relaxed. ![The tournament area at the front of the hotel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/031-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) The tournament area at the front of the hotel That concludes our look at Wednesday’s events. We’ll be back tomorrow with the first full day of Pinball Expo, which includes the Stern Pinball factory tour, the start of the seminars, and the opening of the Game and Vendor halls. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 217f50eb-14b7-42ab-9d6b-4bf2b25deafb*