Pinball Heroes: Rob Berk

The Pinball Blog·article·held·Feb 7, 2009

Analysis

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TL;DR

Rob Berk on founding Pinball Expo and building a legacy honoring pinball heroes.

Summary

Interview with Rob Berk, founder and organizer of Pinball Expo, conducted by The The The Pinball Blog. Berk discusses the 25th anniversary of Expo 2009, his restaurant and carnival supply business, his personal collection of ~500 machines (with ~80 in his basement), and his philosophy of honoring pinball designers and industry legends. He reflects on memorable guests like Harvey Heiss and Steve Kordek, and discusses upcoming plans for Expo 2009.

Key Claims

Expo 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of Pinball Expo
high confidence · Rob Berk, founder of Pinball Expo, discussing the milestone event
Rob Berk owns or has owned approximately 500 pinball machines at his peak, with around 80 currently set up in his basement
high confidence · Rob Berk in direct interview response about his collection
Rob Berk runs a restaurant supply company and services the carnival and amusement industry
high confidence · Rob Berk's direct statement about his non-Expo business
Mike Stroll, former president of Williams in the 1980s, was confirmed as a guest for Expo 2009
high confidence · Rob Berk stating Stroll as guest for 2009 event
Gary Flower has attended every Pinball Expo since its beginning and hosts the fireside chats
high confidence · Rob Berk discussing Flower's role and attendance record
Notable pinball figures Harvey Heiss (Genco) and Steve Kordek attended Expo events and shared their experiences
high confidence · Rob Berk reflecting on memorable Expo guests and their contributions
Rob Berk is an average pinball player and has never been ranked in any major tournament
high confidence · Rob Berk's direct response about his playing ability
Pinball Expo 2009 was planned to expand with more seminars, more exhibitors, and possibly an extra day starting on Wednesday
high confidence · Rob Berk discussing plans for 2009 event

Notable Quotes

“When I first had the dream it was to honor my heroes - the pinball designers.”
Rob Berk — Captures Berk's foundational philosophy and motivation for creating Pinball Expo
“I've met some fantastic guys through Expo, many have since passed away. Harvey Heiss from Genco was a highlight. He was so full of life, so full of jokes and had a rich history to share.”
Rob Berk — Illustrates Berk's deep emotional connection to industry legends and the historical preservation role of Expo
“Pinball author Dick Bueschel said the Expo was a 'love-in'. It's a gathering point to meet your pinball heroes, from designers and artists to the players.”
Rob Berk — Encapsulates the cultural mission and spirit of Pinball Expo in Berk's own summation
“I guess it's a small frustration but the criticism is only from a tiny minority.”
Rob Berk — Berk's pragmatic response to event criticism, showing his perspective on community feedback

Entities

Rob Berkperson Pinball ExpoeventTim ArnoldpersonHarvey Heissperson Steve Kordekperson Dave Christensenperson Python Angheloperson

Signals

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community_signal: Pinball Expo functions as a primary venue for connecting with and honoring pinball designers, artists, and industry pioneers; serves historical preservation role as many industry legends have passed away
high · Rob Berk's description of Expo mission to 'honor my heroes - the pinball designers' and reflections on memorable meetings with Harvey Heiss, Steve Kordek, and other industry figures
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event_signal: Pinball Expo 2009 showing continued growth with plans for increased seminars, exhibitors, and possible expansion to Wednesday start date
high · Rob Berk: 'Mike Stroll president of Williams in the 80s when it was rocking is our guest, and there's more seminars, more exhibitors and maybe an extra day of activities with Expo starting on Wednesday!'
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collector_signal: Evidence of significant collector presence in pinball community, with Rob Berk and Tim Arnold both maintaining collections of 400-500+ machines; indicates deep personal investment in preservation and maintenance
high · Rob Berk describing competitive machine collecting with Tim Arnold and peak ownership of ~500 machines with ~80 actively maintained in basement
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historical_signal: Pinball Expo serves as critical documentation and oral history venue where designers like Steve Kordek share stories about production eras and manufacturing practices at companies like Genco
high · Rob Berk: 'Also hearing Steve Kordek share the pride on the production line at Genco gave a feel for the era with machines like Victory'
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community_signal: Event organizer maintains pragmatic perspective on community criticism, treating negative feedback as coming from minority voices rather than legitimate systemic issues

Transcript

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Whenever we're talking to random pinball guys around the world there are two words that keep popping up. These same two words also appear several times in our Pinball Hero interviews, so we thought we'd hunt down the man behind PINBALL EXPO Expo 2009 is the 25th Anniversary event and continues to grow each year. I had a fantastic international long distance chat with Rob Berk (reversed the call-charges of course ;o), and he certainly is a man with a passion for the Silver Ball. During our chat I managed to squeeze in some questions for Pinball Heroes... The Pinball Blog. So you're Rob Berk, founder and organiser of Pinball Expo. What do you do when you're not sorting out the event? Rob Berk. We run a restaurant supply company and also service the carnival and amusement industry. TPB. I organise the UK Pinball Show and am a complete gob-shite, you seem to keep yourself to yourself. Every event around the planet gets some criticism, do you ever want to shake the people and say "have you any idea how much effort these things take!" RB. I guess it's a small frustration but the criticism is only from a tiny minority. TPB. I hear your own collection of machines is impressive. How much of a task is keeping them all working? RB. At one time I had a running competition with Tim Arnold. If I had 300 machines, he'd have 350, when I went to 400, he'd have 500! I think my highest number of machines would be around 500 but many are in storage. I have around 80 machines set up in my basement at home. I'm happy to work on many of them myself, especially the EM machines, but for anything I can't handle, I'll ask a friend over to help! TPB. Expo is 25 years young this year, did you ever imagine when it started you'd reach such a milestone? Anything you're particularly proud of? RB. When I first had the dream it was to honor my heroes - the pinball designers. After 1985 I had no plans to do another show and within a few months I was getting calls asking when the next event was. Well, there was no next event, but we did another, then another and it's gone from strength to strength. I've met some fantastic guys through Expo, many have since passed away. Harvey Heiss from Genco was a highlight. He was so full of life, so full of jokes and had a rich history to share and, bearing in mind he was in his 80s when he came to expo, his enthusiasm was incredible. Also hearing Steve Kordek share the pride on the production line at Genco gave a feel for the era with machines like Victory. Dave Christensen and Python Anghelo: people were lining up to shake their hands, buy them a drink and ask questions. It was a great opportunity for visitors and fantastic to watch. TPB. Anything in 2009, you're particularly looking forward to? RB. Mike Stroll president of Williams in the 80s when it was rocking is our guest, and there's more seminars, more exhibitors and maybe an extra day of activities with Expo starting on Wednesday! TPB. I've heard through the grapevine that some of the industry legends have extreme 'rider' requests. Crates of beer, hookers, winnebagos and even a dwarf dancing crew. How far will you go to get the guest that your visitors want to see? RB. Thankfully that's never really been an issue, never had anything like that list! I suppose being in Chicago has helped us secure the great guests, and most are very cooperative. TPB. Surely it's about time Gary Flower was replaced as host for the fireside chats? RB. I did it myself for many years, but it's nice to now have someone else handle that and give me a breather. Gary has a special connection with us having attended every Expo since the beginning, and for anyone to accomplish that - especially from the UK - is quite remarkable. For him to make such an effort I wanted to honor him in a small way (if he would accept the role). Plus as an author of a pinball book, he has a great knowledge and knows how to interact with the guests. TPB. Are you much of a player? (I'm talking about PINBALL!) RB. No. I'm an average player, never ranked in any major tournament, but I still enjoy playing pinball, especially with my family. TPB. Other than Expo are there any must see events or places around the globe? RB. ALL the shows have their own charm and something distinctive. I visit other shows and enjoy them as I have more time to myself than at Expo. TPB. Finally, can you sum up Expo in one word or sentence. RB. Pinball author Dick Bueschel (now sadly deceased) said the Expo was a "love-in". It's a gathering point to meet your pinball heroes, from designers and artists to the players. There was so much Rob had to share and, typing one-handed while we chatted, I hope I didn't miss too much! Where else can you buy from so many vendors, get autographs from 15-25 artists and designers, shake their hands and play so much pinball? Expo really is something special. Many thanks to Rob for his time, best of luck for Expo 25 and although my penny jar won't allow me a visit this time round, everyone should make the pilgrimage at least once. Cheers Nick The Pinball Blog