Forgive my silence with this discussion and based on the number of views this is a topic of interest for alot of people.
I did raise the discussion to learn alot more about it as I was not aware of so much. Alot of people have mentioned alot of very valid points, but it would be sad to just leave it there and give up. Maybe the pinball show or expo is not the right direction at this early stage but still think doing something in the public eye would be great to enhance and strengthen pinball.
Another thing that could be considered, as for a show it seems the money required is huge. Now this is a little outside the box and could have a few problems but could be awesome.
What if in Newcastle, Sydney, The Brisbane, Melbourne is imagine if money could be raised for a property lease for pinballs - small rental shed in a semi industrial area near a public transport access, arcade machines for a member drop in anytime where members store a machine there and then the facility has a charged entry fee ($5 per person) for free play for non member families on weekends / holiday periods etc , have a projector and big screen for xbox game offs for kids parties and footy nights on the big screen and pinballs / arcade machines in same area. Rent out for mens club nights and xmas parties to the public ect at like $25 a head (25 people xmas party quickly earns = $625 for one night). Like a pinball "mens club" - with a small restore room out the back as am sure alot of us are running out of room at home. Members volunteer on a roster system to open the facility for the love of it and keep an eye out for the machines.
Imagine $300 per week that fits 40 machines so $7.50 per machine to cover the rent - so if you had 2 machines that's $15 per week). Then with any money raised from a comp, mens night, buck show, xmas party - that money first pays the electricity, contents insurance and public liability. Left over money could go towards a mini shop to purchase parts for pinballs that members buy at cost when they need them) and memorabilia and t-shirts and from those sales and any profit after any shows goes into a kitty for a quiet period that goes back to the people that have sited machines there. This kity could be tracked so if any member leaves with their machines they get there percentage.
This way a member with a sited machine they get free entry at any time maybe with one guest for free to play any of the 40 machines any day of the week except for a organised event, then on public access days have a roster system for members to be there to help with explaining games, chatting and promoting, fixing or turning machines off for a period until owner can fix.
I want to get a few more machines but have no room this way I could store a machine there and happily pay $15 a week for 2 machines and after a little while you may get some payment back.
We may even get some government as we could be giving a fun place for kids to visit instead of hanging on the streets.....????
With this we could then have comps and meets very easily with a visitor machine stall for comps etc. Imagine having 40 machines publicly accessible weekly for all to enjoy. Then if you travelled to Sydney and the Gong you could do the same.
Maybe it's a outside the box idea that could work.....thoughts
