Glenn, are you willing to parachute in (or maybe rapelling from a heli is safer?) as an opening attraction? Maybe a Coors Lite model strapped to your back?  

There's an unused military base in Prince Edward County, (The County), where they filmed the first "Canada's Worst Driver". Kind of in the middle of Toronto, and Montreal, and high in tourism because of Sandbanks Provincial Park. Lot's of parking and vendor type areas. Just a thought.

Pete

Having it at the Ex would be pretty wild, I think. Lots of kids playing for sure! Could reel in a few more addicts. I would be a little concerned about game abuse though.  

CNE is too open to the public IMHO. I wouldnt want some of the general public wandering in as they would there. Good for exposure, but expect peoples initials carved into your machines, etc.

Downsview Park could definitely work. There is more there to offer, gokarting, areospace museum, etc.

Quoted from websherpa

Glenn, are you willing to parachute in

I make a point out of not jumping out of a perfectly working aircraft.

I have had the opportunity to hobnob with the Budweiser girls before. It wouldn't take much to convince me to do that.

Coors Lite, Budweiser. I am guessing the attire is probably similar.  

Quoted from TedStoner

Good point, but they did try. Nick was on the radio, they did door-to-door flyer promotion, there was an ad in the Toronto Sun, etc. Every bit helps. I guess you have to know how to hit the target audience.

We also wondered about the date - perhaps a bit earlier with crappy weather (but not wintery enough with bad driving conditions). I don't really have any great ideas ...

The date was what kept me away. With a young family, I need to be very selective about what weekends I can take off to do hobby stuff. I was in Allentown for 3 days two weeks ago, so I knew months beforehand that getting to this event wasn't going to happen. I would prefer to see it a month or two in either direction from the first weekend of May.   But that's just my selfishness talking. I would have loved to be there and I'm sorry I couldn't contribute by bringing a game this year. Perhaps in the future it will be more practical to attend.

I'm glad it was a success and hope it continues.

EDIT: As for location, would it be appropriate of me to say that the best part of the Allentown show is the Farmer's Market? Park yourself beside a kick-a** market with awesome food and the crowds will come.

I had a blast, well worth the price of admission.  For those that did not go this year definitely recommend you put it on your calendar for next year.

Lots of chance to play rare and unique games like Fire Escape.  Very simple game but still was able to grab the attention of long-time collectors like Sylvain, Sparky and Medvet.  It was my pleasure to give Medvet lessons on it, least I could since she was generous enough to bring high end machines like MM and Ripley's.  I was thinking Fire Escape would make great living room furniture for me, but did not buy.

Thanks to the organizers, you put on a hell of a show.  

Hey, I enjoyed the show. Here's my 2 cents on making it more successful:

More emphasis on the "Game Room" portion would fill out the vendor portion of the show and maybe draw in a bigger crowd than just the pin niche. I'm talking jukeboxes, pachinko, home bar equipment, pool tables, shuffleboard, home theatre, game room decor (neon signs, wood signs, etc), dart boards, etc, etc

I realize this all requires a lot more work from volunteers of course, as you have to cold-call lots of vendors at least 6 or 9 months ahead of the show, send them sales materials, and convince them to plan/budget to participate. And it also requires more advertising so it reaches enough people to come visit the show (which doesn't always have to cost money to get exposure, but it costs time calling the right people and being persuasive).

Anyways, thanks for putting the show on, and I hope it will happen again.

Quoted from RayB

Hey, I enjoyed the show. Here's my 2 cents on making it more successful:

More emphasis on the "Game Room" portion would fill out the vendor portion of the show and maybe draw in a bigger crowd than just the pin niche. I'm talking jukeboxes, pachinko, home bar equipment, pool tables, shuffleboard, home theatre, game room decor (neon signs, wood signs, etc), dart boards, etc, etc

I realize this all requires a lot more work from volunteers of course, as you have to cold-call lots of vendors at least 6 or 9 months ahead of the show, send them sales materials, and convince them to plan/budget to participate. And it also requires more advertising so it reaches enough people to come visit the show (which doesn't always have to cost money to get exposure, but it costs time calling the right people and being persuasive).

Anyways, thanks for putting the show on, and I hope it will happen again.

I believe that more collectors will bring a game or two next year. Many were on a "wait and see" stance.

Quoted Text

I believe that more collectors will bring a game or two next year. Many were on a "wait and see" stance.
  

For sure. I for one might plan earlier and maybe pool with others to get a cube van if possible.

Quoted from wbradley

For sure. I for one might plan earlier and maybe pool with others to get a cube van if possible.

I had a hitch installed the night before ($300+) and rented a 5' x 8' trailer for just over $30 ($19.95 + $9 insurance + tax). Worked great and I'm sure I could have brought at least 6 pins.  

I'd definitely bring more.. who knows how many games may have shifted through my collection by then