Message #8607

[illawarra_steelers]

Here you go!

Hi All

My name is Rian Gledson, I am a pinball collector and enthusiast who apart from collecting, enjoys playing, tinkering with and restoring pinball machines. I tend to favour the latest games however have a passion for the older ones as well. I would have spoken to quite a few of you and purchased numerous parts and games over the past few years. I have been motivated for quite a while now to hold that special event where we can all come together (and as Shalhoub says in all his books (Pinball Compendium)) 'Help Keep the Pinball Dream Alive'. 

The idea to hold a Pinball Expo was born last year, and to ensure the dream could become a reality, I contacted Michael Shalhoub, who has written four books on pinballs (Pinball compendium) and Jason Douglas (Pinball Mania) to help me organise and fund this event. 

This will be a great moment for pinballs!! 

For those of you who have similar memories to me, of the old days, playing pinballs in the old caravan parks we used to visit while on holidays, at movie theatres and amusement centres. You will understand my desire to help re-ignite the flame we all experienced growing up. Hosting the first Pinball Expo in Australia I hope to cover all aspects with those who are helping keep the industry alive in Australia today. 

I have contacted you as I feel you are playing an important role in the Amusement industry and will share my passion for this event. For those of you that don’t specialize in pinball machines, I feel that your products are just as important as they compliment the pinball machine and add extra fun to the environment that they are in. I have hired the Petersham Town Hall , (very close to the Sydney CBD) which will provide a great atmosphere to give that special feeling of the good old days. I have attached a map of the internal layout for your perusal. In addition to this we will be having an auction on the Sunday, as well as a Pinball Competition where we will crown a Champion; I am working on giving away a Pinball Machine as the first prize. I have asked Roger from Z-Ball who has held numerous Pinball Competitions here in Sydney to help me with this event. 

Additionally we have hired a publicist to ensure that we get it out to the public in numerous forms of media. At this Expo you will be able to set up a store promoting your business and selling various items, parts etc. For this I would ask for a small fee of $500 to help cover the venue and advertising. I’m hoping to get this on TV for the best results. A web site has been created www.pinballexpo.com.au where your business can be promoted as part of the event.

The dates for the Pinball Expo will be Saturday the 9th May to Sunday 10th May, with you able to set up your stall anytime Friday morning. For interstate people coming to this event I can help with storage.

Could you please let me know if you would be interested in being involved in this event by the 3rd February, 2009? If you have any questions or need to find out more details please feel free to call me on  0412 633 727 

Our aim is to have this each year to keep people excited and interested in pinball. I hope that we may be able to get some speakers from overseas next year.

Kind Regards,

Rian Gledson