Valley Forge Super Billiard Expo

Allen, the Expo and TAP

I was reading a few of the responses and the first thing I learned 15 years ago when I did regional TAP events in hotels, etc. is that you will never,ever please everyone. The people that complain are the ones that just want to do just that and nothing else. To the people that decide not to go, to bad for you. There will be others to take your place. To the whiners and complainers...how many of you think you can do a better job and pulling off the largest Expo in the world for the player?
As for TAP....we will be there in full force again for our 17th year. In fact, we have already posted our team and singles registration forms on our web site and Face Book pages and we are getting instant and positive responses of players planning on making the trip. So much so that we plan on opening it up to even more teams this year. TAP is proud to be a part of Allen's Expo and proud to be the ONLY league at the Expo that has a annual competition..TAP's Dream Team Rally. To Allen and his crew....keep it up!

PS....From what I see on this board is what is wrong in our industry. When will everyone realize that we need to work together and stop looking out for #1? I see this not only in the league business but in almost all of the industry. Same old pool player mentality. Let's see how I can hustle a buck from the other guy. What a shame.
 
I don't give a shit how hard it is to put on the expo as a customer I'm still gonna tell you what I like and don't like.... I'll miss the expo but I'm not driving that far for a single elimination tournament. If I could join a tap league it would be different. They seem to have a very busy pool playing weekend...not just mostly watching hoping that they will keep there promise and run mini tournaments which they never seem to do anymore. It was like pool heaven being surrounded by what you love for 4 days and if it was closer I would still go... The place is crack cocaine to a junky lol I'm sure this years won't be perfect...it will have growing pains trying to figure out the new space and the best way to utilize it but if you don't express your opinion about what's right and wrong about the event how will they ever figure out what changes need made!
 
Wow! What a thread! :embarrassed2:

In this era of pool when it seems that the majority of *big* events are held in Las Vegas, those of us on the East Coast appreciate the Super Billiards Expo continuing to be in our neck of the woods.

Whether it's in Valley Forge, PA or Edison, NJ, I'm glad it's within driving distance from me.

Many of us were comfortable with the Derby City Classic in Louisville, KY. Though the Executive West did not have all the amenities we would like, it was great to have everything happening under one roof. When the Executive West changed their requirements, the DCC had to find a new location. One must do what they gotta do to keep the event alive. Sometimes this means switching locations, locations that will be affordable as well as accommodate the volume.

The Allen Hopkins Machine wants to please, no question about it. In the transition of finding the "perfect" spot, there will be hiccups along the way, sacrifices made, and hopefully, a new venue will be born that will please the majority of attendees.

On the East Coast, we have this annual SBE and the Joss $25,000-added Turning Stone biannual tournaments. The Seminole Tour ended. I applaud Allen for keeping pool alive and well on the East Coast. Bravo! :cool:
 
Super Billiards Expo location

I was talking about the entire Expo not just one aspect like the amateur tournament. Many of us has been going to this Event for many years. This Expo is a vacation for many of us.We save our money all year for this. Its a time to get away to see friends we haven't seen in a while,have some laughs, go out for dinner, attend parties,and show off our cues. After spending all this money on hotels and traveling, these convention centers do not offer the comfort for all the effort. One may scratch your head and say, What am I doing--I could take my family on vacation instead. What a Shame. Obviously, many like this Expo. It is just a shame they can not find a more comfortable place- (with a touch of class).
 
No big deal.

Valley Forge wasn't always smooth sailing.

I know several people who stopped playing in anything expo when one year, years and years ago, people in the amateur event were getting stuck in that extra "room" downstairs that was basically, OUTSIDE, with the tarp/tent thing surrounding it and the lights on the walls, instead of over the tables that didn't roll right.

It was so cold in there, fingers were turning blue and you could see your breath.
I wonder how many players in the amateur event who came from far and away, got stuck down there and lost when they had to play under those conditions.
IMO, refunds should have been offered to every single person who lost playing in that room.
It was a total joke.

But the expo survived.
Heck, the expo thrived.
A couple salty poolplayers bailing on the event didn't affect anything.

The expo will go on.

Some people will decide it's not worth it anymore because it's too far away, or it doesn't meet their standards.
Others may go now because it's closer to them and they have never had the opportunity before to experience it.

One thing is for sure.
Some people never went to the expo to admire the curtains or to reach down and enjoy the plushness of some carpet, or to drink mass quantities of alcohol.
They went there to play pool and find some action.
For some, they could hold the expo in a garage somewhere, and it would be JUST as much fun.

Everyone's Expo experience is different.
but if it's not what you want to spend your money on, no one is twisting anyone's arm to go.
 
SUPERSTAR said:
No big deal.

Valley Forge wasn't always smooth sailing.

I know several people who stopped playing in anything expo when one year, years and years ago, people in the amateur event were getting stuck in that extra "room" downstairs that was basically, OUTSIDE, with the tarp/tent thing surrounding it and the lights on the walls, instead of over the tables that didn't roll right.

It was so cold in there, fingers were turning blue and you could see your breath.
I wonder how many players in the amateur event who came from far and away, got stuck down there and lost when they had to play under those conditions.
IMO, refunds should have been offered to every single person who lost playing in that room.
It was a total joke.

But the expo survived.
Heck, the expo thrived.
A couple salty poolplayers bailing on the event didn't affect anything.

The expo will go on.

Some people will decide it's not worth it anymore because it's too far away, or it doesn't meet their standards.
Others may go now because it's closer to them and they have never had the opportunity before to experience it.

One thing is for sure.
Some people never went to the expo to admire the curtains or to reach down and enjoy the plushness of some carpet, or to drink mass quantities of alcohol.
They went there to play pool and find some action.
For some, they could hold the expo in a garage somewhere, and it would be JUST as much fun.

Everyone's Expo experience is different.
but if it's not what you want to spend your money on, no one is twisting anyone's arm to go.
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Where's the Like button? Well, I'll just have to make my own.
 

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Super Billiards Expo

Remember Instroke Magazine having parties in the penthouse of the Radissen. This is another thing we lost as well as the Bar restaurant in the lobby. What a Shame.
 
class half full

Joe Banks said:
Remember Instroke Magazine having parties in the penthouse of the Radissen. This is another thing we lost as well as the Bar restaurant in the lobby. What a Shame.
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wow why are people like you always thinking the glass is half empty?

Once you play at the new location then give us your opinion.
Wow so much negativity I'm sure it won't be perfect!
Perfect would mean everybody happy and as we know from you and some others that will never happen.
I'm sure after the Expo people that won't even go will still give their negative opinion.

Alan Thanks for giving us pool players a chance to play, Compete, Shop, & have fun meeting players from all over the world!
 
possibly another great thing

This could be great I've been 20 min from the Expo for twenty years now I have to drive big deal and remember Sandcastle has gotta be close I'm sure they will do something with the accustats arena maybe some great challenge matches can be arranged.
 
I'm really looking forward to the Expo. The US National 3-Cushion championships will be there this time. For me the location is more convenient.
 
ignomirello said:
wow why are people like you always thinking the glass is half empty?

Once you play at the new location then give us your opinion.
Wow so much negativity I'm sure it won't be perfect!
Perfect would mean everybody happy and as we know from you and some others that will never happen.
I'm sure after the Expo people that won't even go will still give their negative opinion.

Alan Thanks for giving us pool players a chance to play, Compete, Shop, & have fun meeting players from all over the world!
Click to expand...

Joe has stated he is not knocking SBE. My view is, if what he's writing isn't knocking the event, what is?

As I said in my first post on this thread, if AZ had been on line after the first year at Valley Forge, we'd have all heard the same complaints. The stairs. The food. The prices. The lighting, I'd prefer to go have fun. Nothing in life is perfect. Why should a pool tournament be any different. Especially one with over a thousand players. Hoping for Joe's sake the New Jersey Convention Center is a hit for everyone.

Lyn
 
Bob Jewett said:
I'm really looking forward to the Expo. The US National 3-Cushion championships will be there this time. For me the location is more convenient.
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Bob,

For the most part, enjoyed this years event. My only complaint to Paul was the lack of identifying players at the tables. Yes, they did have a chart. Yes, he did introduce the players. If you walked by the arena and stopped to watch you had no idea at all who was playing on what table. Suggested he put up small cards with the players names either side of the score keeper. Guess it was too much effort. Perhaps this is the year. Mike Zuglan does an excellent job at Turning Stone of placing placards above the tables with the players names in large letters. Would have been a problem at this years event as the lights were sooooo high over the tables.

Really enjoyed the event. Shared some spectating time with our own sfleinen and Kickin Chicken. As I do not jump balls, understanding the basics of three cushion is a bonus to my play. Our pool room in Rochester no longer has a table. Usually wait till I'm in Vegas to practice a bit. Best Billiards has a couple of great ones. Like you, can't wait till 2013 SBE!

Lyn

Further thought. Perhaps Paul could request each player have their vest (required) completed with their last name on the back. Just a thought.
 
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Ed At SandCastle

Poolwiz99 said:
This could be great I've been 20 min from the Expo for twenty years now I have to drive big deal and remember Sandcastle has gotta be close I'm sure they will do something with the accustats arena maybe some great challenge matches can be arranged.
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I Know Ed is excited at SandCastle, Also located in Edison NJ

I'M pretty sure their will be plenty of action at Sandcastle Not even thinking what he can do with challange matches in the Arena.
 
Super Billiards Expo

I understand some people are under his payroll. Just look at it with an open mind. Instead of looking at individual aspects of the expo look at the whole picture. Its the largest tournament ? So What ! If you get Knocked out, What do you do for the rest of the days besides eat Hot dogs? Do you get it. (The Whole Picture)
 
Joe Banks said:
Remember Instroke Magazine having parties in the penthouse of the Radissen. This is another thing we lost as well as the Bar restaurant in the lobby. What a Shame.
Click to expand...

I think you mean Inside Pool magazine. Just look at it as a lucky time when the SBE was at the Valley Forge Convention center. That era is over and now we will make do with the new venue.

I am sure Allen would have preferred not to change. I am looking forward to the new spot.
www.jbcases.com
 
Super billiards Expo

What I really liked was sitting at the bar,snacking on some food, seeing all the exhibitors and players passing through. It was a nice relaxed place as well as the mall with all the restaurants near by. Say-- Buy Buy What a Shame. For those who don't see it that way, well I guess I was the only one at the Bar in the lobby and there was never a wait for a table. I must of had many conversations with my self. (The Whole Picture)
 
The whole picture?
How about that pig pen action room upstairs by the bar being a curtain of smoke and spilled beer engulfing everyone. Classy joint for sure.

How about when the action moved downstairs , how you came out smelling like a combination of funnel cake, French fries, stale beer and ashtray.
Perfect place to bring that special person for a date.

I like the expo and all, but those people who paint it as some exotic destination getaway, need to get a grip.

It's a pool tournament.
Pool tournaments come and go.
It's not the end of the world.
Stop complaining and enjoy the time you actually got to experience there.
 
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