Dirty Pool Podcast - Ep18 - Organizing Pinball Expo with Rob Berk

Rob Berk has been the face behind Pinball Expo since 1985, curating a gathering that’s become the longest-running pinball show on the planet. From hosting early designers who rarely shared stories in public, to shaping the culture of how collectors, vendors, and fans come together, Rob’s influence is unmatched. We dig into what it’s like to create an event of this scale, how the Guinness World Record for largest pinball collection came about, and why Expo still matters decades later.

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00:00:00 - Introduction and welcoming Rob Berk to the podcast

00:04:00 - Early Expo vendors and Fun Games arcade connections

00:08:00 - The passion and drive behind running Expo

00:12:00 - Walking through the Pinball Expo website details

00:16:00 - Expo growth with vendor numbers rising past 50 booths

00:20:00 - Touring Rob’s warehouse and sharing collector stories

00:24:00 - Massive support from collectors and community impact

00:28:00 - Researching and inviting special guests for Expo talks

00:32:00 - Audience experiences sitting up front at Expo events

00:36:00 - The growing pinball hobby and new industry participants

00:40:00 - Stories of transporting machines and parts by plane

00:44:00 - Global connections and fans supporting Expo remotely

00:48:00 - The Fireside Chat format and sharing stories on stage

00:52:00 - Highlights on rare games like Twilight Zone and streaming mentions

00:56:00 - Encouragement for attendees to make the trip to Expo

01:00:00 - Final reflections and closing questions for Rob Berk

01:04:00 - Wrapping up plugs and acknowledgments for Expo

01:06:00 - Closing thanks and farewell from the Dirty Pool Podcast

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