Melbourne is where it is all is at, If you could keep out the bitching, there are more major dealers and parts suppliers in Melbourne than elsewhere in Australia.
This is where alot of the setup costs could be recuperated, by alowing the dealers to have stalls with parts for sale etc.
+1
Would be a political nightmare if the dealers were involved. For this reason, it might be better outside of Melbourne. If it was an enthusiast's event, then it would have to be Melbourne. Having said that, if the Pinball Museum on the Gold Coast was up and running, then QLD would be the obvious choice.
I know it was extremely difficult to organize the Expo 2009, but on face value it was successful. It was uncomfortable to realize that the event was more about selling pins than having a genuine effort to present the hobby to the public. I guess that if the reason behind the Expo is to promote machines and everyone is welcome, then it would be great to have it at the South Wharf / Melbourne Exhibition Center. A positive agenda rather than a bitching one.
I'm all about promoting the hobby and preserving pinball - so I DO want to see an Expo. But key people would need to be involved, and most of them are in the industry, rather than the hobby.
