Pinball Expo 2

Pinball Expo

October 18, 2002 - Stern's staff led the tours, providing excited pinball lovers with great insight into how pinball machines are thought-up and built. 

Pinball Expo 2002 runs from Wednesday, October 16 through Sunday, October 20, and takes place at the Ramada O'Hare in Rosement, Illinois. 

Stern will be presenting its games at the show, including a Harley Davidson 2nd Edition pinball with chrome trim set-up on free play; a Playboy with ToPS' (Tournament Pinball System) wherein all proceeds will go to charity; and eight ROLLERCOASTER TYCOON' pinball machines set-up for Pinball Expo competition. 

Highlights of the Pinball Expo include: a Fireside Chat with Steve Ritchie, former Williams designer and designer of a future Stern pinball machines, on Friday evening; a banquet featuring "The Pat Lawlor Show" on Saturday evening; and many other interesting speakers from the pinball tradition. The show will feature the Flip Out 2002 pinball tournaments to crown the "Grand Wizard" from 9am to 4pm on Sunday. The hall will have a place for attendees' pinball machines, as well as booths set-up to sell anything from classic backglasses to t-shirts to souvenirs of all types. 

Gary Stern says, "Pinball Expo attracts both enthusiast players who seek out our games in operator locations and from pinball collectors. Also, in addition to our primary operator market, the secondary market is important for new and used game sales, addition value for operators to own pinball machines." 

Attached are photos of the crowds waiting to enter the Stern Pinball tour, as well as of famous pinball designers Barry Oursler, Steve Kordak, Mark Ritchie, and Steve Ritchie.