I am very green but very keen
What about a decent hotel with a large function room/s (like what the guys in the US are doing) or a leagues club that gets plenty of people in the door on weekends to add to the extra exposure - they wouldn't have alot during the week so loading in and out could occur before and after. Find one / few that would have an appropriate space and ask when there quiet times are through the year and at least the costs should be less than a entertainment centre / large function halls etc. Aim for Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane but more the out skirts eg in Sydney out west Penrith, south Cronulla, north Charswood but still in range for accommodation on site and close by. Also another place could be a large school hall in the middle of a holiday break, money raised through entry fees and comp fees is donated to the school. Major cost is probably insurance.
Have a show for mainly pinballs but also open to other arcade including pin-mame to aid in getting numbers.
Aim for 50 + machines, with AMD, RTBB and any other parts suppliers, Norbet from AMD could run a maintenance class, talk about how to become a operator, Ant68 could get Jack over
, stall showing how to pimp out a machine, another stall showing a awesome restore by say el timbo, the guys organising the show promote it on the forums but everyone agrees to not have any forum stands just a simple advertising banner at the show to avoid devision as it lets people coming decide - as we are all pinball enthusiasts (all on level ground). If people ask you have the choice just to say you are a collector and nothing more.
Have a EM section (15), SS section (15), DMD section (20) then a few new sterns. Machines brought in by pinball guys supporting the event, and other members bring in so 60 in 1 cocktail tables and collector cabinets.
No auctions, but maybe allow the guys that how a machine on show that is playable over the weekend to be available for sale as the new owner could give it a good session.
As a extra touch make a brochure that lists all the places to buy pinballs and parts (detailing the guys that want to pay a small fee for the exposure) and the do's and don'ts in buying a pinball for the newbie to aid to first experience being a good experience. This brochure is issued with the entry ticket. The fees for the brochure cover cost of printing but also contribute to the show costs.
Friday arvo / night setup and test and people contributing have a night playing pinball.
Saturday day / night, visit, check out the machines and play , meet people, kids comp in the morning, night comp that could be recognised by papa.
Sunday day,visit, check out the machines and play , meet people and a after party
Contact a mobile coffee van, snack truck, fund raising groups that hang out at Bunnings to supply sausage sandwiches, Mr Whippy ice cream vans etc (if at a school) so no cost to the event but feeds everyone and maybe they offer up a fee to the school for the positive of getting constant business for 2 full days.
Entry - Saturday fee higher than the Sunday as a bigger day
Comp fee - pay at the time and slightly cheaper if prior to the event
Promotion - AMD, AA, AP, Facebook, radio stations, tv, council, schools
Repairs - get a few people to lock in on a morning or arvo towards servicing assistance
Surely there is a electrician amongst us that can aid in tag testing.
2 Biggest Challenges - getting people to lock in pinballs for the show, getting peoples awareness to come to the show. I sure there are many other things but somethings don't have to be so complex, more raised as a barrier not to do something.
I know that I have zero experience and probably missed on many things but wouldn't it be great.
