The Pinball Expo


Pinball Expo is an event that is held annually in the Chicago area, the original home of most pinball manufacturers. It attracts pinball industry professionals, pinball players, collectors, and enthusiasts from around the world. Founded by Robert "Rob" Berk, of Warren, Ohio, the event was inaugurated over the weekend of November 22–24, 1985 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare/Kennedy in Rosemont, IL. At the 33rd Pinball Expo, on Saturday, October 14, 2017, Twin Galaxies founder Walter Day made a presentation on behalf of Guinness World Records, issuing a Guinness award that recognized The Pinball Expo as history's "longest-running pinball event."

The birth and growth of Pinball Expo

Founded in 1985, Pinball Expo is the longest-running event dedicated to pinball. It was conceived in 1984 by Robert "Rob" Berk of Warren, Ohio, with the purpose of honoring his heroes of the pinball industry; the artists and designers. With the assistance of Bill Kurtz of Cleveland, Ohio, and later Mike Pacak of Canfield, Ohio, the trio held their first event over the weekend of November 22–24, 1985 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare/Kennedy in Rosemont, Illinois. The inaugural event attracted around 100 attendees from all parts of the world and a dozen vendors. The expo offers seminars, a tour of a pinball factory, an autograph session, tournaments, an exhibit hall of pinball machines, parts, and related paraphernalia, and much more. On October 26, 1991, the Pinball Expo launched the Pinball Expo Hall of Fame and inducted its first class of pinball luminaries: David Gottlieb, Ray Moloney, Sam Stern, and Harry E. Williams. The event is open to the general public.

Pinball World Premieres held at the Pinball Expo

As one of the most prestigious pinball events in the world, the Pinball Expo has been chosen by many pinball manufacturers as the site for official "world premieres" of new pinball titles. Among the games released at the Pinball Expo are:
YearPinball TitleManufactureer
1985Loch Ness MonsterGame Plan
1987Laser WarsData East
1988Baby In The HoleData East
1990King KongData East
2014Full ThrottleHeighway Pinball
2016Dialed In!Jersey Jack Pinball
2016AlienHeighway Pinball
2016Batman 66Stern Pinball, Inc.
2017Pirates of the CaribbeanJersey Jack Pinball
2018Oktoberfest: Pinball on TapAmerican Pinball

Chronology of Annual Pinball Expos

Pinball Expo Hall of Fame

As early as Pinball Expo '88, Rob Berk was championing the idea of a Pinball Expo Hall of Fame. In 1991 the Hall of Fame was created with the induction of Harry E. Williams, Sam Stern, Ray Moloney and David Gottlieb.
DateInducteeReferences
October 17, 2019Mike O'Donnell, Cassandra Peterson, Pat Powers
October 19, 2018Elliot Eismen, Jon Norris, Ken Fedesna
October 21, 2017Gordon Horlick, Dwight Sullivan, Pat McMahon, Brian Schmidt, Neal Falconer
October 15, 2016Don Marshall Connie Mitchell
October 17, 2015John Rotharmel David Thiel Lyman Sheats Jr.
October 18, 2014Nolan Bushnell Brian Eddy
October 19, 2013Lonnie Ropp, Suzanne Ciani, Eugene Jarvis
October 20, 2012Steve Kirk John Borg
October 22, 2011Mark Ritchie John Popadiuk
October 23, 2010Python Anghelo Gary Flower Michael Shalhoub Clay Harrell
October 17, 2009Dennis Nordman Barry Oursler Michael Stroll Jim Schelberg
October 4, 2008Ted Zale George Gomez
October 27, 2007Lou, Dave and Meyer Gensberg Alvin Gottlieb John Youssi
October 2, 2006Paul Faris Judd Weinberg
November 19, 2005Margaret Hudson Roy Parker
October 16, 2004Robert Berk, Ed Cebula, Greg Freres, Gary Gayton, Kevin O'Connor, Michael Pacak, Joe Kaminkow
October 18, 2003Tom Nieman Edward Krynski
October 19, 2002Christian Marche Jim Patla
October 11, 2001Gary Stern Steve Young
October 21, 2000Pat Lawlor Roger Sharpe
October 23, 1999Larry Demar Greg Kmiec
October 24, 1998Gordon Morison
November 15, 1997Dick Bueschel Steve Ritchie
November 16, 1996Dave Christensen
October 28, 1995Norm Clark Wendell McAdams
November 12, 1994Wayne Neyens
September 11, 1993Steve Kordek George Molentin
October 24, 1992Harvey Heiss Harry Mabs
October 26, 1991David Gottlieb Harry E. Williams Ray Moloney Sam Stern

Pinball Expo Service and Support Hall of Fame

The Pinball Expo Service and Support Hall of Fame was established at the 2014 Expo to recognize individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the hobby of pinball.
DateInducteeReferences
October 17, 2019Pinball Life
October 19, 2018Martin Ayub
October 21, 2017Walter Day, Lloyd Olson
October 15, 2016Jay Stafford, Dave Marston
October 17, 2015Marco Specialties
October 18, 2014Shelly Sax, Churchhill Cabinets, Foremost Plastics