Is it worth going to the Billiards Expo in Philidelphia?

It's pretty cool....
Open 23 hours a ok.
Often free tables at night.
The "practice tables" are 50 cents a game. Mostly gambling in the practice area.
Still a few big action matches here and there.
Lots of vendors.
Can pay to go watch pros in the arena and you will see a fair number around.

It's a grind and not alot of creature comforts.
Parking in the weekend sucks.
Food there is just ok.
 
I stayed in Phoenixville once -- nice touristy town -- for a change of scenery. There's a small hotel on Bridge St. Several nice restaurants.
 
Leigh said:
I was looking into signing up for the Women's Amateur tournament which gives you entry to expo. Has anyone been? How was the expo?
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Go for it! I will echo everyone before me and say that you have to experience it at least once. The days are long but filled. This event has a lot of vendors. Not just production companies but a lot of custom cue makers as well. Food is mehh but its basic concession food. Make sure to wear comfy shoes because its long days on concrete floors. If you do decide to attend the event, make sure to stop by the McDermott booth and say hi to me! They always have me in the booth. I might show/teach you a trickshot or two.
 
When you're there, pool feels like the biggest, most popular game in the world. It's a cool feeling being surrounded by thousands of people who love pool as much as you do. Don't eat there though; it's really expensive bad fair food.
 
fjk said:
When you're there, pool feels like the biggest, most popular game in the world. It's a cool feeling being surrounded by thousands of people who love pool as much as you do. Don't eat there though; it's really expensive bad fair food.
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It’s Pool heaven. I‘m kind of jaded to it because it feels like a shell of what it once was when it was at the other place but it’s still something living this close I can’t miss.
 
Liked it in Secaucus, then liked it many years at Valley Forge. Ok in Edison, Not that much since it went to Oaks.
 
I'm looking for 2025 sign up information and, while I see dates listed, I don't see a way to sign up just yet.

Last year I got shut out of the pro-am and want to be ready. Am I missing something or is registration not opened yet? Anyone know when that usually opens up?
 
It is a great event and everyone should go at least once. If it is what you consider a comfortable driving distance you should go often. For me 6 hours in a car is about my max and the expo is about 4hrs so I plan to attend every year. Parking can be tough but you just have to expect that and be willing to walk a little. The food is not great and I only eat there if I do not have time to run out for something. Wawa is not far and they make a decent sandwich and there are plenty of restaurants in the area as well. Oh yeah and book a hotel room ASAP as they fill quickly. Staying over by the king of prussia mall is not a bad option.
 
For my money, it's the best amateur pool event out there. DCC is geared towards gambling and high-level play, but SBE is filled with league players and equipment vendors, more fun IMHO for more players. You can also find all sorts of action at SBE as well, just on mostly 7 ft tables.

It's also a lot of fun if you know people that play from around the country that you never actually met, or owners of companies you can meet there and talk to. Or getting together with pool buddies that you see only a few times a year, because there is a good chance that anyone who is anyone will be at SBE. Several of the posters in this thread I have known for a while, and met in other areas, I look forward to being able to run into them again at SBE (or some other random event maybe in Florida, Freddie, LOL).
 
boradriver said:
It is a great event and everyone should go at least once. If it is what you consider a comfortable driving distance you should go often. For me 6 hours in a car is about my max and the expo is about 4hrs so I plan to attend every year. Parking can be tough but you just have to expect that and be willing to walk a little. The food is not great and I only eat there if I do not have time to run out for something. Wawa is not far and they make a decent sandwich and there are plenty of restaurants in the area as well. Oh yeah and book a hotel room ASAP as they fill quickly. Staying over by the king of prussia mall is not a bad option.
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I always stay in king of Prussia when I'm in that area. 👍

SBE usually happens at the same time as the outage at the Nuke plant down the road which is why it's hard to find a room.
 
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