PINBALL EXPO 2017 - WEDNESDAY

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Oct 11, 2017

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.016

TL;DR

Pinball Expo 2017 opens Wednesday with setup, registration, and welcome party.

Summary

Coverage of Pinball Expo 2017 Wednesday setup day at the Westin Chicago North Shore. The event officially opened with the Bumper Blast Welcome Party at 8pm. Vendor Hall preparations were underway with most available booth spaces filled despite early concerns. Tournament machines including Spiderman Vault Edition, WWE Wrestlemania, and classic titles were being set up, while the Game Hall received multiple machines for free play and the Expo Brawl tournament.

Key Claims

Weekend package cost $240 with banquet or $210 without; $10 savings for pre-registration
high confidence · Pricing structure clearly stated in article
Stern Pinball factory tour cost $50
high confidence · Pricing information provided
There was concern the Vendor Hall might be light on exhibitors this year
high confidence · Article explicitly states concern, then notes floor plan suggests most spots were taken
Brooks & Dunn machine on display was to be Gottlieb's next game before they closed
high confidence · Photo caption describes the machine
Spiderman Vault Edition and WWE Wrestlemania were selected for main tournament
high confidence · Photo caption and setup details

Notable Quotes

“Rob Berk & Mike Pacak welcomed guests to Pinball Expo and invited them to enjoy the complementary food and drinks.”
Show organisers Rob Berk and Mike Pacak @ 8pm Bumper Blast Welcome Party — Official welcome and event kickoff

Entities

Pinball Expo 2017eventWestin Chicago North ShoreorganizationRob BerkpersonMike PacakpersonStern PinballcompanySpiderman Vault EditiongameWWE WrestlemaniagameFrontiergame Starsgame Supersonicgame

Signals

?
event_signal: Pinball Expo 2017 officially opens with Wednesday setup and Bumper Blast Welcome Party
high · Event dates October 11-15, 2017; Welcome Party held at 8pm Wednesday with food and themed tables
$
market_signal: Initial concern about vendor participation at Expo resolved by strong booth allocation
high · Article states 'There was some concern that the Vendor Hall might be a little light on exhibitors this year, but the floor plan suggests most available spots have been taken'

Topics

Event logistics and setupprimaryPricing and admissionprimaryTournament machine selectionprimaryVendor Hall exhibitor participationsecondaryHistorical pinball machinessecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.75)— Event opening coverage is upbeat and welcoming; concern about light vendor participation is noted but ultimately alleviated by floor plan evidence showing strong booth attendance

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

**Date:** 11th October - 15th October, 2017 **Location:** Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, USA **While Pinball Expo doesn’t properly get into full swing until Thursday, Wednesday is the day when the show is set up, the first guests can register, and the Bumper Blast Welcome Party marks the official opening.** Not unsurprisingly the Carl Weathers was wet and windy in Chicago as guests began to arrive and check in to the hotel. [![The rain was falling on the first day of Pinball Expo](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/002-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/002-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) The rain was falling on the first day of Pinball Expo The registration desk opened in the late afternoon for both pre-registered guests and those looking to buy their passes in person. [![Guests register and collect their packs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/003-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/003-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Guests register and collect their packs Registering for the full weekend package with the banquet on Saturday evening cost $240 (€202/£182) or $210 without the banquet, with a $10 saving if you pre-registered. Admission to individual parts of the show were: $30 per day for the show hall, $105 for show-long access to the hall, $90 for the banquet, $50 for the Stern Pinball factory tour and $60 for the seminars. In the Vendor Hall, preparations were underway to build the stands and install the machines. [![Inside the Vendor Hall on Wednesday](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/004-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/004-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Vendor Hall on Wednesday [![This newly-built Brooks & Dunn game was to be Gottlieb's next game before they closed](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/005-pinball-expo-2017-683x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/005-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) This newly-built Brooks & Dunn game was to be Gottlieb’s next game before they closed [![By late evening the hall was filling up](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/017-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/017-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) By late evening the hall was filling up There was some concern that the Vendor Hall might be a little light on exhibitors this year, but the floor plan suggests most available spots have been taken. [![The provisional Vendor Hall floor plan](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/018-pinball-expo-2017-619x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/018-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) The provisional Vendor Hall floor plan Outside the Vendor Hall, the tournament machines were starting to arrive. [![The main tournament machines are set up](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/007-pinball-expo-2017-1024x704.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/007-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) The main tournament machines are set up [![Spiderman Vault Edition and WWE Wrestlemania will be in the main tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/006-pinball-expo-2017-1024x705.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/006-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Spiderman Vault Edition and WWE Wrestlemania will be in the main tournament [![Frontier, Stars and Supersonic are in the Classics Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/008-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/008-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Frontier, Stars and Supersonic are in the Classics Tournament Around the corner from reception, in its usual place, was the *Hercules* machine. [![Koi takes on Hercules](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/009-pinball-expo-2017-683x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/009-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Koi takes on Hercules Further down the same corridor is the Game Hall. This is where the free play machines are set up and where the Expo Brawl tournament takes place on Friday morning. Machines were still arriving and being set-up on Wednesday evening. [![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/010-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/010-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Game Hall [![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/011-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/011-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Game Hall [![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/012-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/012-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Game Hall [![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/014-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/014-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Game Hall [![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/013-pinball-expo-2017-1024x687.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/013-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Game Hall [![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/015-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/015-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Game Hall [![Inside the Game Hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/016-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/016-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Inside the Game Hall At 8pm the Bumper Blast Welcome Party began. This is a free event for all show attendees, providing them with food and drink as well as a chance to mingle with other guests. Food was served in the corridor outside the dining hall, while inside cold soft drinks and a dessert dish were available. The food looked rather appetising, although we had eaten earlier in the day so didn’t try it ourselves. [![Guests at the Bumper Blast buffet](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/019-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/019-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Guests at the Bumper Blast buffet [![Salad, dressings and potatoes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/022-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/022-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Salad, dressings and potatoes [![Chicken, meatballs and pasta](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/020-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/020-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Chicken, meatballs and pasta [![Soup and bread pieces](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/021-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/021-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Soup and bread pieces [![Rhubarb and Strawberry crisp](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/026-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/026-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Rhubarb and Strawberry crisp Show organisers Rob Berk and Mike Pacak welcomed guests to Pinball Expo and invited them to enjoy the complementary food and drinks. [![Rob Berk & Mike Pacak](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/024-pinball-expo-2017-1024x728.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/024-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Rob Berk & Mike Pacak [![Mike welcomes Pinball Expo guests](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/023-pinball-expo-2017-1024x696.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/023-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Mike welcomes Pinball Expo guests In a change to previous years, several tables were themed, inviting guests to talk about specific topics. [![Some of the themed tables](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/025-pinball-expo-2017-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2017/025-pinball-expo-2017.jpg) Some of the themed tables That’s all from the first day of Pinball Expo 2017. Tomorrow’s action begins at 9am as the buses leave for the Stern Pinball factory tour. We’ll be there and will bring you all the latest news from Elk Grove Village, as well as the start of the seminars back at the hotel in Wheeling. [Back to the Pinball Expo 2017 index](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2017/10/12/pinball-expo-2017/)