Episode 308: IFPA back open for business
Sanctioned tournaments and leagues are set to begin on August 1st, 2021. IFPA President Josh Sharpe tells us how we got here and what it means moving forward.
Highlights
- IFPA will reopen sanctioned tournaments on August 1, 2021
- Decision to reopen based on reaching 60% of global player base in safe areas
- All 2021 championship series finals (NACS, European Championship Series, etc.) are canceled
- All money collected for 2021 season will be rolled into 2022 pot
- IFPA 17 World Championships originally scheduled for November at Pinball Asylum have been postponed
- COVID exposure occurred at last major IFPA event (Denver Women's World Championship); participants notified
- Ontario Canada currently restricted to 10-person outdoor gatherings as of June 7, 2021
- U.S. North America approximately 62% with one vaccine dose, 40% fully vaccinated as of early June 2021
Notable quotes
“I was focused on Illinois, and I really looked to our volunteers to help guide our decision... somehow I feel like it's like buying a house. Both groups are unhappy with the date we picked. And I feel like that's the best way to get a deal done.”
“before we hit 50 i honestly had not given too many thoughts about like when are things going to happen... let's just focus on continuing to like kill as few people as possible for all this and we'll figure out the logistics of this competitive pinball thing which is far less important in life later”
“I don't want to put people in that position where they feel like they have to go or they're going to miss out, and they're having an inner dialogue with themselves about pushing them into an uncomfortable zone.”
“I think you've done really well here. I think it's a great idea... You have no idea how much I have to admit that.”
“That would be the biggest nightmare that, oh, my goodness, X amount of people got sick from this pinball event. And it is public knowledge.”
Entities
- Raw Thrills· company
- CNEPC· event
- European Championship Series· event
- IFPA 17· event
- NACS· event
- Pinball Expo· event
- Women's World Championship· event
- District 82· organization
- IFPA· organization
- Stern Pro Circuit· organization
- Adam Becker· person
- Jeff Teolis· person
- Josh Sharp· person
- Zach Sharp· person
- Pinball Asylum· venue
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