# PARK AVENUE OPEN DAY

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-06-04  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2026/06/04/park-avenue-open-day/

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## Analysis

Coverage of the Park Avenue Open Day on June 3, 2026, an annual UK amusement industry trade event held at distributor locations Electrocoin and UDC on Park Avenue in London. The event featured Stern Pinball executives Gary Stern and John Buscaglia, who brought three pinball machines including the newly announced Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye game, marking its first public display outside the Stern factory. The event served as a networking hub for industry professionals and raised funds for the BACTA Charitable Trust despite rainy weather.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye game was publicly shown outside of the Stern Pinball factory for the first time at the Park Avenue Open Day. — _Pinball News article stating 'We believe this is the first time the new Transformers game has been publicly shown outside of the Stern Pinball factory.'_
- [HIGH] John Buscaglia will be heading up Stern Pinball's new European office in Amsterdam and hopes to relocate to the Netherlands later in 2026. — _Pinball News article reporting 'John will be heading up Stern Pinball's new European office in Amsterdam, and hopes to relocate to the Netherlands a little later this year.'_
- [HIGH] Park Avenue was once the focal point for many amusement importers and distributors in the UK, with Electrocoin and UDC now being the largest distributors there. — _Event coverage describing Park Avenue's historical significance and current major operators._
- [HIGH] The Transformers game was offline and could not connect to the Insider Connected account leaderboard system during the Open Day. — _Pinball News reporting 'when we tried to log-in to the Transformers game with our Insider Connected account we were told the machine was offline.'_

### Notable Quotes

> "We believe this is the first time the new Transformers game has been publicly shown outside of the Stern Pinball factory."
> — **Pinball News**, article body
> _Confirms landmark moment for Transformers machine visibility and public debut outside factory setting._

> "John will be heading up Stern Pinball's new European office in Amsterdam, and hopes to relocate to the Netherlands a little later this year."
> — **Pinball News**, article body
> _Key personnel move signaling Stern's European expansion and organizational restructuring._

> "Park Avenue was once the focal point for many amusement importers and distributors in the UK, with multiple companies having branches or warehouses along the small but teeming street."
> — **Pinball News**, article body
> _Historical context about UK amusement industry infrastructure and Park Avenue's legacy importance._

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Park Avenue Open Day | event | Annual UK amusement industry trade show and networking event held on June 3, 2026, at distributor locations on Park Avenue in London, supporting BACTA Charitable Trust fundraising. |
| Electrocoin | company | UK-based amusement distributor located on Park Avenue, London; official UK distributor for Stern Pinball; hosted primary venue for Park Avenue Open Day. |
| UDC (United Distributing Company) | company | UK amusement distributor located on Park Avenue, London, neighboring Electrocoin; opened showroom during Park Avenue Open Day. |
| Stern Pinball | company | Pinball machine manufacturer based in Chicago; brought executives and new Transformers game to Park Avenue Open Day; establishing new European office in Amsterdam. |
| Gary Stern | person | Stern Pinball executive who attended Park Avenue Open Day on June 3, 2026, bringing the new Transformers machine and company leadership. |
| John Buscaglia | person | Stern Pinball executive appointed to head new European office in Amsterdam; attended Park Avenue Open Day in June 2026; plans to relocate to Netherlands later in 2026. |
| Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye | game | Stern Pinball's second cornerstone game of 2026; made public debut outside factory at Park Avenue Open Day on June 3, 2026; Pro model displayed; featured in special high score leaderboard. |
| BACTA Charitable Trust | organization | UK charity supported by Park Avenue Open Day through raffle fundraising; receives donations for various good causes. |
| Pinball News | organization | Pinball news publication that covered Park Avenue Open Day event; interviewed industry figures and documented machine displays. |

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** Park Avenue Open Day is an established annual UK amusement industry trade event serving as networking hub and product showcase for distributors Electrocoin and UDC. (confidence: high) — Multi-year tradition described with structured format: product display, professional networking, catering, charitable fundraising component through BACTA Charitable Trust.
- **[personnel_signal]** John Buscaglia appointed to lead Stern Pinball's new European office in Amsterdam with relocation planned for later 2026. (confidence: high) — Pinball News coverage quotes John Buscaglia's role change and relocation plans directly from event attendance.
- **[product_launch]** Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye game made its first public appearance outside the Stern factory at Park Avenue Open Day. (confidence: high) — Pinball News explicitly states 'We believe this is the first time the new Transformers game has been publicly shown outside of the Stern Pinball factory.'
- **[market_signal]** Stern Pinball is establishing a new European office in Amsterdam, signaling expansion strategy for the European market. (confidence: high) — John Buscaglia appointment to head new Amsterdam office and planned relocation indicates organizational structure change for European operations.
- **[business_signal]** Park Avenue remains a significant UK amusement distribution hub with Electrocoin and UDC as major operators, though historically more complex with multiple importers/distributors. (confidence: high) — Coverage describes Park Avenue's historical role and current status as distribution center for UK amusement industry.
- **[community_signal]** Park Avenue Open Day functions as important professional networking event for UK amusement industry professionals, facilitating business connections and information sharing. (confidence: high) — Event description emphasizes socializing aspect, free bar, informal gatherings for discussing 'latest news from the coin-op business,' and catching up.
- **[product_concern]** Transformers game experienced offline status and could not connect to Stern's Insider Connected leaderboard system during event. (confidence: high) — Pinball News reports attempting to log in with Insider Connected account resulted in offline status message; no scores recorded on leaderboard.
- **[venue_signal]** Electrocoin operates as major UK distributor with warehouse space and showroom infrastructure capable of hosting product demonstrations and industry events. (confidence: high) — Coverage documents Electrocoin's facility including warehouse area, showroom with multiple amusement machines, networking space, and catering infrastructure.

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## Transcript

HomeSHOWSPARK AVENUE OPEN DAY Date: 3rd June 2026 Location: Park Avenue, London, NW10, UK The Park Avenue Open Day is an annual tradition for those in the UK’s coin-op and amusement trades. Park Avenue was once the focal point for many amusement importers and distributors in the UK, with multiple companies having branches or warehouses along the small but teeming street. These days, the largest distributors there are Electrocoin and UDC (United Distributing Company). For the Open Day these two companies open their neighbouring premises to showcase the latest products from a wide range of manufacturers, but also to provide a hub for industry professionals to socialise. A third, and equally important aspect of the Park Avenue Open Day is to raise money for the BACTA Charitable Trust which donates money to a range of good causes. This year’s Open Day took place on Wednesday 3rd June. While the weather the previous week had been hot and sunny with record-breaking May temperatures, sadly things took a turn for the worse as we entered June, resulting in cooler temperatures and plenty of rain showers for the event. Despite that, a hardy few still managed to brave the elements and make use of the roadside seating. !Electrocoin (left) and UDC (right) on Park Avenue Electrocoin (left) and UDC (right) on Park Avenue Most of the activity appeared to take place in Electrocoin’s building, were guests were greeted with a glass of champagne. !Electrocoin's building on Park Avenue Electrocoin’s building on Park Avenue !A glass of fizz awaited visitors A glass of fizz awaited visitors Inside, it was surprisingly busy, with Electrocoin’s warehouse area particularly packed. !In the Electrocoin warehouse In the Electrocoin warehouse As socialising can be a thirsty business, a free bar was set up at the back of the room. !Assorted alcoholic and soft beverages were available as well as tea and coffee Assorted (plus biscuits) Throughout the building, groups gathered to catch up and discuss the latest news from the coin-op business, as well as check out the newest products. !More socialising More socialising !Some of the products on display Some of the products on display !More amusement machines in the Electrocoin showroom More amusement machines in the Electrocoin showroom So far you might have noted the absence of pinball machines in the mix of amusements. That’s because they were located in a separate side room. Electrocoin are UK distributors for Stern Pinball, and for this Open Day there were three special visitors from Chicago in the form of Gary Stern, John Buscaglia and the new Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye game. !The pinball room The pinball room !Gary Stern and John Buscaglia of Stern Pinball Gary Stern and John Buscaglia of Stern Pinball John will be heading up Stern Pinball’s new European office in Amsterdam, and hopes to relocate to the Netherlands a little later this year. !The three Stern Pinball machines set up to play The We believe this is the first time the new Transformers game has been publicly shown outside of the Stern Pinball factory. !The new Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye game The new Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Pro model game The three games featured in a special high score leaderboard set up for the Open Day. Sadly though, when we tried to log-in to the Transformers game with our Insider Connected account we were told the machine was offline. !No scores yet recorded No scores yet recorded Next door, UDC also opened their showroom to display their wide range of products. !The UDC building on Park Avenue The UDC building on Park Avenue !More amusements in the UDC showroom More amusements in the UDC showroom As lunchtime approached, guests gravitate to the back of the Electrocoin building where food was being served. !The catering tent The catering tent !Traditional Greek-style food was prepared Traditional Greek-style food was prepared !Accompanying dishes Accompanying dishes !There was also a more traditionally British option available There We mentioned earlier about the fundraising for the BACTA Charitable Trust. There was a prize raffle held with tickets costing £5 for a strip of five tickets, with some attractive prizes donated by Open Day sponsors. !The Park Avenue Open Day's charitable angle The Park Avenue Open Day’s charitable angle !The list of raffle prizes The list of raffle prizes Sadly we couldn’t stay for the raffle draw and had to leave the Park Avenue Open Day around lunchtime just as food was being served. Despite the occasional heavy rain outside, all the guests appeared to thoroughly enjoy their visit. Huge thanks to Electrocoin, UDC, Stern Pinball and all the other sponsors of the event. As this was our first time attending the Open Day, it was a nice surprise to be able to play the new Transformers game and also to chat with Gary and John once again. - Related Articles - More By Pinball News - More In SHOWS - !The Pinball Capital in Chicago PINSPOTTING MAY 2026 During my free partial day in the Chicago area before Stern Pinball revealed their latest … 1 week ago - !Stern's new Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye STERN REVEALS NEW TRANSFORMERS GAME Stern Pinball today announced their second cornerstone game of the year, Transformers: Mor… 2 weeks ago - !April 2026 PINcast APRIL 2026 PINCAST After all the excitement of new game launches last month, things were a little more sedate… 5th May, 2026 Load More Related Articles - !The first Austrian Pinball Festival AUSTRIAN PINBALL FESTIVAL 2026 In 2025, RS-Pinball head, Stefan Riedler, headed up the team organising the 2025 European … 2 weeks ago - !Stern's new Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye STERN REVEALS NEW TRANSFORMERS GAME Stern Pinball today announced their second cornerstone game of the year, Transformers: Mor… 2 weeks ago - !Team Pinball talk about their issues with Pedretti Gaming TEAM PINBALL AIRS ISSUES WITH PEDRETTI UK-based pinball software and hardware developer, Team Pinball, today revealed details of … 4 weeks ago Load More By Pinball News - !The first Austrian Pinball Festival 2 weeks ago - !The home of the Texas Pinball Festival 2026 TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL 2026 Welcome to the Pinball News coverage of this year’s Texas Pinball Festival. 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_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-06-06 | Item ID: df4b8d36-641a-4b32-b981-0b5f03368fca*