Being a musician and event organizer for nomad gallery, I have The ability to obtain a special event liquor licence and book fairly roomy halls. So I'm thinking.........

With enough interest, I would love to put on a pinball tournament in Ottawa. This would only succeed if enough of you would like to bring your machines and if you like, parts/gameroom pieces etc. You can bring in games to play/sell/trade
and of course, compete.

So this is the preliminary thread for feeling out what everyone thinks about the idea and can make suggestions/offer help of what have you. I think vengence and company did a great job in Toronto, and I think we can make this work in Ottawa.  

Quoted from MadTitan

Being a musician and event organizer for nomad gallery, I have The ability to obtain a special event liquor licence and book fairly roomy halls. So I'm thinking.........

With enough interest, I would love to put on a pinball tournament in Ottawa. This would only succeed if enough of you would like to bring your machines and if you like, parts/gameroom pieces etc. You can bring in games to play/sell/trade
and of course, compete.

So this is the preliminary thread for feeling out what everyone thinks about the idea and can make suggestions/offer help of what have you. I think vengence and company did a great job in Toronto, and I think we can make this work in Ottawa.  

sounds like a good idea if there is enough interest.

I'll donate at least one machine to the cause (assuming I'm available that day)

I will come if its after Oct 13...and not the last 2 weeks of December when the wife is expecting.  I'm in need of some friendly competition

Mike

I'd bring some games for free play and maybe even for sale possibly but timing would be everything. I think a small show to start may work but you need the local collectors behind you to bring machines. For the TO show, it amazed me how few TO collectors brought machines to the show for free play. I understand the whole free time needed, transport needed etc but bottom line is no show will succeed without the machines being brought in by the locals.

No offense intended but the biggest reason I heard from other collectors about not bringing a game to the TO show and other shows is they don't want it played to death. Alot of people seem to forget these games (except for a few NIB and HUO Sterns) survived years in bars with a bunch of drunk guys playing them with beers in their hands. I took two games to the to show and they were treated better by Joe Public than some of the members I've had to my house . I pamper and upgrade and restore my machines considerably but I still want them to be played and enjoyed by all ages. I frequently have my son's friends over to play the games and if something breaks, you just fix it after

Anyways, I'll get off my soapbox now but if you can organize this, as long as my work schedule can work around the show, I'll bring in 5 or 10 games.

Come on Ottawa collectors, get those games out of the gameroom and support a local show!

ME

PS Not sure of the politics and cross province border issues, but approach Montreal Starburst to see if they would come. They are closer than TO and I'm sure would enjoy the exposure to Ottawa buyers.

I think this is a good idea, and might work
(...heck I might even bring a game ),
but I think the problem for many is transportation.

I don't know how feasible it would be,
but having a cube van with a lift gate available for "pick-ups" and "drop-offs"
might help people get their games out of the house.

I know that for me, prepping a game for transport,
loading it up in the car, etc  (...twice ! ) is a bit of a buzzkill...

Anything to make that process less tedious, would help...

Food for thought...

Cheers,
Steph

Depending on the time and the place, I would consider bringing a game. If anyone has spare space in their van to help with transport that would be appreciated.

Great! I was talking with the guy I usually do shows with, and he seemed to think it was a great idea. I was thinking first weekend in November, so that there's plenty of time to prepare, as well as beating the snow(fingers crossed)

so far, were thinking of booking club saw at Ottawa university, due to the dual hall concept. I'd like to have all the machines set up in the front hall, and then have some tables for sales on the other side of the bar. I'm planning it to start at noon Saturday (set up around 8.) til midnight as I'm hoping to draw in the younger crowd with a local band or 2 at the end of the night. And then arrange pick-up the next morning.

A reminder that this is still early in the planning and can and will likely change a bit here and there.
Thanks everyone.
Josh

What are you planning for tourney prizes?

Quoted from jonny_eh

What are you planning for tourney prizes?

Still up in the air right now. I'm thinking a cut of the door and the purse from the tournament entry fee ($5?)
along with a prize pack from Canada pinball parts or something?
I should change the thread to Ottawa pinball show as I believe the tourney is a secondary thing. I'm more or
less hoping to shine a spotlight on the hobby for the general public.

I'm thinking for anyone who wants to help out, maybe meet up at conners and have a planning session over a few pints and some ironman. I also need to get ahold of geoff and see if he's willing to participate.

You also need to talk to Adam (Vengeance). He ran the Toronto Gameroom show (at least the tourney portion) so his advice would be extremely valuable. Plus, he had some great tourney software that showed the current rankings on a projector.

I think with anything this big you need to set a date and then have people sign up. It is a good idea; let people plan around it and not plan the event around if I am available. Looking forward to the event.