This weekend, October Nineteenth-Twenty second, the Pinball Expo with be getting into its thirty eighth yr because the begin in 1984. One of the founders and promoters of this occasion from Day 1 is Rob Berk.  Lets look again on the interview I did with him again in 2019 when the occasion was positioned in Wheeling, IL. This yr will probably be in Schaumburg, IL on the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.  Old School Gamer Magazine can be in attendance for this yearly occasion. For extra data on the occasion, go to https://pinballexpo.com/.

Our subsequent Trading Card Spotlight options Rob Berk, who’s displayed on card quantity 260, from the Superstars of 2012. Rob can be featured on card numbers 782 and 1702.  This weekend (October Twenty seventh-Thirtieth) is the annual Pinball Expo is in Schaumburg, Illinois.   Robert is among the founders and promoters of this occasion and has for the final 32 years.   Rob collects pinball video games way back to the 1930’s. His ardour for pinball is and his expo hold the pinball world alive and properly. With particular visitor audio system and event the Pinball Expo in Illinois has grow to be the worlds largest .

When did you first become involved within the pinball or gaming business?

I wouldn’t essentially say I’m concerned in it, it’s roughly a passion. So I feel it began off with my curiosity in enjoying video games from the mid-60s that I grew up enjoying. Then seeing the pinball books that got here out from both Michael Colmer or Roger Sharpe and studying who the folks had been behind the scenes, the designers and artists and simply having a fascination and an actual intense curiosity in these folks to the purpose the place in 1984 I had the thought of getting this Pinball Expo present.  The pure objective of that present was to honor my heroes, the pinball designers’ and artists. I all the time felt that they had been form of behind the scenes, they had been 9 to five guys, they by no means received the accolades.  It was all the time the large pictures on prime that had been all the time those you heard about or examine however now the fellows behind the scenes so I figured to myself, “These are the guys I really want to meet, these are my heroes that made the games I love to play”.

What is your involvement with the Pinball expo?

It was my mind little one to do the present and my essential operate is to do the seminars.   We divide the features between myself and Mike Pacak and he’s extra reveals and normal operations of the present.

Where did you develop up?

In Warren, Ohio. It’s a metal city. They have pack electrical plant there and little or no indicators of pinball or video or something of the kinds.  Just a small city of about 45,000 folks.

What faculties did you go to and what did you main in?

High faculty was Warren Hardy.  Went to varsity at Ohio State majoring in political science, one thing my mother and father wished me to do. I had a minor in Entomology, the examine of bugs, as a result of our household had an exterminating enterprise again house, however despite the fact that I had these majors by no means actually did a lot with Political science as main despite the fact that my mother and father actually wished me to take action.  After I received out of school I ended up working for the household enterprise.

What enterprise was that?

We had three corporations.  One was a pest management firm, often known as an exterminating enterprise.  We additionally had a janitorial provide, buckets and ringer and so forth.  Also, meals service disposable, so we offered cups and napkins and throw away stuff you use for meals service.

Do you bear in mind when did you performed your first pinball sport and the place was it at?

My mother and father would typically take myself and my sister to Florida to go to my aunt in Miami Beach and that was the primary time I used to be really launched to arcades within the sense, as a result of it was simply pinball again then, no video.  “Man, I loved that pinball, boy was that fun”.  My dad was a child at coronary heart, so he loved enjoying so we performed to our hearts content material.  At least every year after we went on these holidays he made a degree to go to the arcade to play pinball.

Do you’ve a reminiscence of a sport again then, one which caught out?

I bear in mind Stop ‘N’ Go, for some cause, it has by no means left my thoughts and Willams’ A Go-Go.  I observed I had a extra of a fascination to Williams’ video games extra so than Gottlieb for no matter cause.  When I received out of highschool and went to varsity, pinball was nonetheless evident all through the faculty campus.  Pinball machines had been in all places, on the faculty scene.  For some cause, as a result of Ohio didn’t permit free video games or add-a-balls, I began searching for out, as I received older, machines I bear in mind enjoying as a child, by that I imply my mid-teens, so I ran an advert in Playmate or Replay, “wanting to buy old pinball machines”.  I received a name from a man in Wisconsin saying that they had a ton of pinball machines, however they’re add-a-ball.  So I’m pondering to myself, “add-a-ball”? I’ve by no means heard of add-a-ball.  Which I believed they both provide you with a free sport or nothing.  So it was a complete new scene I received launched to after which subsequent factor I knew I started gathering single participant add-a-ball pinball machines.

How many would you say you had a one level?

I used to be near 500.  Then I made a decision to get married.  When I received married I spotted I wanted cash to stay.

And area?

Not a lot area as a result of I saved my machines within the firm warehouse.  I offered off lots of video games at the moment as a result of I wanted the money. Later on in my life, I had a son, my one and solely son.  He for some cause had an curiosity in pinball.  He is just 14 now however he had an curiosity in pinball, to the purpose the place I began rebuying pinball machines.

What is your son’s identify?

Jaden.

Is your instant household concerned within the business right this moment?

You have talked about business; I actually wouldn’t name it an business.  I might say I’m only a promoter of a commerce present, pinball expo being a commerce present, or passion present, which is extra precise.   If your concerned within the business it could be 24-7 the place you make a residing on it.  I received two areas the place I function however it’s actually extra for enjoyable.

What is your profession exterior the pinball commerce exhibits?

I’m the CEO of our firm known as Berk Enterprises.  We are an importer of merchandise abroad.  We promote from coast to coast, meals service disposables, which encompasses like plastic cutlery, plastic consuming straws and every other meals packaging.  We are positioned in Warren, Ohio.

Where did you first meet your accomplice Mike Pacak?

When I used to be gathering and enjoying pinball within the mid-70s, I might go to a sport room or a mall known as Fun and Games, and I discussed to the woman working there, “Hey, I have a game that needs service, do you have anyone like that? Who do you use to serve your machines”? She talked about Mike Pacak.  He is the director of operations of this Fun and Games chain of arcades.  At one time I consider there was like 50 of them scattered in U.S.  We attached and we linked and the extra I noticed him, the extra we linked and frolicked at one another’s house.  At the time he was a jukebox lover.  The majority of his assortment was jukeboxes.  Pinball was kind of secondary however now it’s grow to be a main curiosity of his as properly.

What yr did the Pinball Expo begin and the place was it positioned?

The first yr I began was 1985.  In 1984 I put collectively a questionnaire than ran in Steve Young’s publication known as Silverball Quarterly.  The questionnaire principally stated, ‘We are contemplating doing a nationwide pinball conference, are you , would you come? The resounding reply was sure; it could be a good suggestion.  It has all the time been within the Chicagoland space or Chicago suburb.

Why did you select the Chicagoland space?

Chicago is the house of Pinball.  So I figured I want the business to be part of the present in a single kind or the opposite and I figured if I would like anybody within the business converse or be concerned it’s simpler to have it right here of their again yard.  Half hour drive versus who’s going to fly to my small city to be at a pinball present.

Who has been your affect in your profession of the pinball world?

Depends on the facet of it.  Of the designers, it could be Norm Clark as a result of I all the time gravitated to his designs, his video games and located him to be a extremely likeable man.   Today, I’m so concerned with my household and my household enterprise that I give a couple of month of my vitality into placing the exhibit and its again to enterprise.

Would you maintain this expo multiple time a yr?

Once could be about it.  Some of the fellows we get to talk, they may converse every year.  Sometimes I’ll ask about subsequent yr they usually say “Let’s give it a couple years” They simply say they don’t have anything extra to share, they instructed me all the pieces these is to find out about themselves.  So I’m on the mercy of how a lot involvement the fellows wish to give me and someday they don’t wish to become involved in any respect.  Not too typically, however sometimes.

Why do you suppose pinball is in style in right this moment’s technology of avid gamers?

I ask that query to lots of people right this moment as a result of there’s a resurgence and I recall Steve Kordick would all the time say that pinball runs in cycles of ups and downs, ups and downs however Video gaming got here out nobody although pinball could be in such a down development so long as it was.  Even I’m a bit shocked.  I’m guessing that each one the PR work the pinball manufactures are doing right this moment to get the pinball idea thought into the folks’s minds, particularly the youthful technology are getting folks to play them and new folks to gather them.

What is your opinion of right this moment’s technology of the Digital pinball boards and totally different video pinball sport machines?

I hate it.  Right within the rubbish can.  Not a real pinball sport in any respect.  I’m shocked folks like them. I imply, it its handy as a result of it has all of the pinball video games ever made, however nothing beats the actual factor.

Do you suppose there must be extra pinball expos round, not essentially from you however different collectors as properly?

Well there are exhibits in all places now.  You have to understand we had been the very first present, from us all the opposite exhibits got here from us, the concepts sprung from us.  So, there’s lots of exhibits.  Almost each moth there’s a present. In one respect, I miss a number of the large crowds we used to have as a result of we had been the one present.  But not, if somebody from lives in Dallas, they may go to the Dallas present, in the event that they stay in Michigan, they may go to the Michigan present, they don’t want to return to our present anymore as a result of they’ve a neighborhood present.

What are your favourite pinball machines both previous or current?

I feel both Post Time, which was a Williams sport, or Smarty, each add-a-ball video games.  I additionally like Target Pool so much.  One of my favorites rising up which I lastly received a maintain of, which most of your readership has by no means even seen is a sport known as “Texan”.   It was made by Gottlieb in 1960.  I’ve a man who works for me, his identify is Tony Torisk. Tony has been within the automotive business all his life promoting automobiles.   He all the time dabbled at pinball video games.  He tuned up that “Texan” to the purpose the place it performs prefer it got here out of the warehouse. It performs so quick.  People wouldn’t consider {that a} sport of that classic may play so quick and could be a lot enjoyable.  Even my son performs it and says how enjoyable it’s.    As far as newer video games, in all probability the Theater Magic or Medieval Madness.

What do you suppose the very best period of pinball has been?

Well the fashionable period has all the time had unimaginable improvements, that may be a given.  I come from a time the place issues had been easier so I’m pleased with the easier video games.   First of all, they play slower and slightly bit simpler to know and simpler to observe the ball.

Are you technical with the video games, do you repair and restore pinball video games?

I dabble at them to a level however to an excessive amount of.

Do you like enjoying pinball alone or with somebody?

Mostly in a event competitors with somebody.

What does it take to actually run a pinball expo efficiently?

It adjustments through the years.  The early conventions you needed to strive laborious to have one thing distinctive and particular that nobody else has so you may draw folks in.  Once you’ve confirmed your self it’s a little bit simpler as a result of folks have sure expectation they usually know what to anticipate. They come to our present as a result of we provide a lot, I used to make use of the motto “We are the everything for everyone show”.   If you’re into the tour, we have now excursions, if you’re into seminars, we have now seminars, enjoying machines, we have now the machines.  The occasions we do are our concepts.  The autograph session was one thing I bear in mind I got here up with, pondering folks would really like it and it turned very fashionable; however once more, right here in Chicago it’s a lot simpler for us to do it then guys to have a present in different states as a result of they’re on the mercy of flying each individual in that they wish to be within the autograph session.  It takes a specific amount of endurance to cope with the folks, points and issues as they come up.   It takes a little bit of seeing the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel and see what you wish to do and see it by.  This contains even the seminars, for me, that is my essential focus and I work laborious to attempt to discover one thing that can be attention-grabbing.  I work laborious at that and looking for one thing distinctive you wouldn’t see on the different present.   Some of the opposite present have just about the identical audio system and titles and I attempt to carry the oddball issues in there too.  Trying to seek out a number of the sleeping canines you don’t hear a lot about fairly often and guys retired from the business to get the concerned once more. We strive to do this as properly.   Plus, we’re the one present that has a tour of the pinball manufacturing facility.

I observed you began an arcade expo this yr?  This is your first arcade expo. How do you suppose it went and what was your first ideas of the conference?

I put a lot time and vitality and energy in it.  I’m amazed that extra folks didn’t present up.   However, my expectation was not that top as a result of I’m a realist and know that any present the primary yr or two years are essentially the most tough.   For those that got here I believed they in all probability received their cash’s value.  I’m very lucky to have had implausible help within the arcade group.  Mostly kind Doc Mack and Jim Zespy.  In order to have a present achieve success I felt it’s good to have lots of video games there and between these two gents they helped me replenish the exhibit corridor with video games.  I’ll eternally be indented to these guys.  I used to be an entire stranger to these guys.  I bared my coronary heart to them and instructed them what I wished to do they usually had been extremely receptive that I couldn’t consider it.   Quite a lot of these hobbyist teams, they provide the brief off their again they usually actually did.

Would you ever think about combining the conventions collectively?  Having each the Arcade and pinball expo as one?

That is my hope for subsequent yr.  I don’t know if we are able to do it, maybe on a small-scale yr to yr and we’ll step by step broaden on it as see the place it goes.  Time will inform.

Tell me one thing about your self that somebody could not essentially find out about you?

I gather political marketing campaign buttons. I get pleasure from fireworks and prefer to go to the fireworks exhibits.  As a matter have an effect on that they had a fireworks conference and due to that present, I base lots of my concepts for the pinball expo to the identical format of those fireworks expos.  Basically, seminars and a number of the concepts that they had as properly. I prefer to journey, eat good meals.   I’m folks individual, like to satisfy folks. Like to get pleasure from life.

When you cease operating pinball conventions and retire kind the business, what you want folks to recollect about you?

Someone that was so centered on a passion that I took it to a different stage.  In this case, I turned a passion of gathering and enjoying machines into a possibility or discussion board to honor associates.  That is form of the way it began.  It can be a possibility to get folks collectively.  It is like my accomplice calls it, a “family reunion” the place folks get collectively and speak and sit up for seeing everybody once more the following yr.  Maybe on the subsequent present I’ll see that Todd man.

Where do you see the pinball world within the subsequent 20 years?

It’s wonderful how a lot it has exploded already, at the least yr within the variety of producers who’re exhibiting their wares or trying to point out their wares.  Some have extra product than others, some are extra on the speaking stage.   it appears kind that alone the business is coming again, bouncing again.  You see wonderful video games popping out now, who would have guessed the sport you see now with the options that they’ve.  It appears there is no such thing as a finish in sight.   But like the rest, the sturdy survive.   You have deep pockets to climate the storms within the unhealthy days.  So solely the strongest guys can try this, the weak guys will maybe fold up.  So, that is still to be seen.  The interplay with the telephones and digital age that I’m not updated with, it’s laborious for me to narrate to it.  If we begin utilizing our thoughts waves and different components could take the enjoyable out of it. As far as 10, 20 years down the highway, that is still to be seen.  Who is aware of how goofy issues can be.  I do know Python Angelo was all the time into these offers about having the pinball and individual as one, and you’re a part of machine and all these wild concepts he had.  That stays to be seen.  As lengthy as we have now fingers that we are able to press a button, pinball can be enjoyable.

http://www.pinballexpo.web/

Todd Friedman (327 Posts)

Todd Friedman is at the moment a author for Old School Gamer Magazine and the Walter Day Trading Card Collection. He is the writer of two books and has co-promoted the Video Game Summit for the final 15 years. Todd can be the Chairman of the Nomination Committee and board member for the International Video Game Hall of Fame.

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