We gotta get away from this whole forum thing.  It has been and continues to be the downfall of any plans to hold some type of expo.  the only thing to worry about here is 1 - assembling a group or committee to run the thing fairly without bias or favour  2 - can the event be funded  3 - can the event find a suitable location  4 - can a reasonable number of machines be supplied to play, buy or even just look at, if it means 30 or 40 machines or not even that then so be it, aim for more the next year.

Impartial organiser/s who offer the same packages (i.e floor space and costs) to anyone in the pinball industry or anyone interested and drop the entire forum V forum thing.  We know that just ain't gonna work. The aim should be to simply promote and enjoy pinball, not promote this forum or that forum.

End of the day, I don't think it would really matter where on the East coast an event took place.  Guys in the hobby will travel for something worthwhile.