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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