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Vol.3,
No.6 — March 24, 2006
| BCA |
:: WE KNOW YOU WANT TO BE THERE ... Since the "Strike it Rich" EXPO in Houston already promises to be the most exciting sales event of the year, how can the BCA make it any better? How about a little quality social time to kick off the Show?
Right off the bat, the BCA gets down to business with its Annual Membership Meeting at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 5, but that's not all. Directly afterward, attendees will be able to unwind with some refreshment and face-time at the BCA Member Mixer. The Membership Meeting will cover all the drier details of the Board of Director elections, presentation of the annual report and state of the industry details ... the Member Mixer will help all that information sink in. Both "meet & greets" will take place in the Hilton Lanier Grand Ballroom, Rooms K, L and J.
Bright and early (8:00 am!) on Thursday, April 6, join the group at the Opening Ceremony Breakfast at the Convention Center's George Bush Ballroom B. Early-risers will be treated to a full Lone Star breakfast — including coffee, juices, pastries, burrito bar, mimosas and more — then move to the main entrance for the ribbon-cutting at 9:45 am. At 10:00 am, it's Show Time!
 Later on Thursday evening, plan to attend the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where Earl Strickland will be presented with his green jacket, honoree plaque and commemorative ring to signify his addition to the esteemed group of "Greatest Players" of all time.
The program begins at 7:30 pm at the Hilton Ballroom of the Americas [Rooms A, B, C] and will include the secret presentation of the annual President's Award.
Also on the program will be a special recognition of BCA Executive Director, Stephen D. Ducoff, who recently announced his plans to retire in August of this year. Join your fellow BCA members and friends in thanking him for his years of service, and to wish him well in his future endeavors.
Guests in attendance will enjoy these festivities, plus hors d'oeurves and cocktails, while rubbing shoulders with the assembled Hall of Famers and award winners from previous inductions. Don't miss it! [ attend | all events ]
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| MASSEY HEADLINES ORBACH FUNDRAISER |
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 BCA Hall of Famer Mike Massey ... headlined a special Jerry Orbach memorial fundraiser at the Friars Club in New York City, which brought in over $10,000 for cancer research. The World Champion trick shot artist wowed the crowd with a variety of his best exhibitions, along with running commentary, to support the Jerry Orbach Prostate Cancer Research Fund. The event was hosted by the Friars Club in Manhattan and organized by Ron Blatt of Blatt Billiards, a Friar and BCA Retail Member. [ preview ]
Adding celebrity sparkle were actor James Tolkin and billiard professionals Tony Robles, Jennifer Barretta and Charles Darling. Mr. Orbach's wife, Elaine, was also in attendance accompanied by his son and several grandchildren, each of whom pocketed multiple balls on trick shots set up by Massey.
Click on any image for a larger view ... At left, Mike sets up for his famous "boot shot" trick. Below (l-r): Francine Massey celebrates her birthday as she and Ron Blatt enjoy the exhibition. A very brave volunteer steadies a boot belonging to Jennifer Barretta. Mike made the shot despite the smaller size 6 boot (compared to his own size 14, which is his usual target). Ron and Linda Blatt gather with James Tolkin (center), Massey, and members of the Orbach family. James Tolkin, a long-time friend of the Orbach family and strong billiard supporter, prepares his shot. [ film credits ] Photos: Amy Long, BCA Director of Marketing. |
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STRIKE IT RICH ... with Breaking News from WT GLASGOW |
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 SHOW MANAGEMENT CONTINUES TO UPDATE ... Expo exhibitors with new information, in downloads linked and available from the online Exhibitor's Manual. With less than two weeks to go, final details are being hammered down, from certified weight receipts to first aid. Among the latest releases are these two new publications:
The Exhibitor Bulletin contains updated information about booth set-up, scheduling, labor stipulations, photography, food, sales leads and counterfeiting (and much more). The Dismantling Notice details the entire move-out process, with restrictions on the use of equipment and private vehicles for transport of goods, loading dock access and pick-up schedules. Find links to these documents under the General Information heading on the Index & Forms page.
Last Minute Room Hunt? If you're having problems finding a room for your Expo trip, WT Glasgow may be able to help. Send an email to Brian Glasgow, or phone 708-226-1300 to check on any late availability. |
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PUBLIC RELATIONS UPDATE |
| Marching Ahead ... The team at Alan Taylor Communications is going out like a lion in March, with more successful pitches and follow-ups, like: |
- Assisted Blatt Billiards in securing media coverage for the Jerry Orbach benefit at the Friars Club, including a placement in the weekend edition of the New York Post, and a regional feature in the New York Times
- Met with staff writer from Stuff Magazine to discuss ways on leveraging professional billiards players in upcoming stories
- Arranged in-studio interviews for Jennifer Barretta with Maxim Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio
- Scheduled ESPN Cold Pizza game room segment, to air in April
- Approached Tony Robles to discuss availability for a live “Good Day New York” (WNYW-TV, FOX) segment between April 7-20, the anniversary of the start of the first-ever pro billiards tournament, held in NYC.
- Continuing outreach to Christian media regarding numerous religious billiards players
- Finalizing logistics to feature Jennifer Barretta in an episode of ESPNs “Rome Is Burning.” during the San Diego Classic (April 19-23).
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 Help ATC pitch your line
... Want to see your company in the news? All
BCA Business Members are encouraged to submit their latest product
news to Tom Cosentino.
He’ll use your information to design a
pitch for the best possible fit, and print and
broadcast media will make their own final selections
on which items to feature.
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MEMBER MARKETING
101 ... From "52 Ways to Make Pool Everybody's Game" |
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TIP № 03 |
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With the help of interior designers, enhance your merchandise presentation to boost sales |
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STRATEGY: |
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Successful furniture stores value the power of suggestion. They know that by creating the entire “look” of a room, they’re more likely to sell not only a couch, but a carpet and lamp as well. The same theory works with great rooms, recreation rooms and finished basements: Customers are looking for turnkey ideas for the whole room. An interior designer can help you create rooms that are more likely to sell multiple products. |
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EXECUTION: |
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- Contact interior designers who work with furniture stores or builders in your area
- Ask if they would design and style billiard rooms in your retail space in exchange for free advertising for their services
- If your space is limited, consider displaying easels with stylized drawings or photographs of rooms that have a pool table as the focal point
- Offer package deals that include the pool table and the accessories displayed
- Provide customers with interior design contacts; you will offer a service that differentiates you from other billiard retailers
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BCA GOVERNANCE UPDATE |
On March 14 ... an ad hoc BCA Governance Committee — made up of Gregg Hovey, Ivan Lee, Skip Nemecek, Mike Panozzo, Renee Poehlman, Kathy Vegh, and Eric Weber — met to review the findings and recommendations of Steve Yanoviak of Management Advisors. With the help of the Denver-based consulting firm that specializes in governance issues for non-profit organizations, the group worked through a variety of issues that will be presented to the BCA Board of Directors on April 9, 2006, in Houston.
The proposed changes will then be presented by mail to the Voting and Voting Associate Members of the BCA for approval. The new bylaws will take effect immediately. However, any changes to the size or composition of the board will be implemented over time as it is not possible to restructure a board of directors through bylaws changes. In April, the BCA will post a chart showing the current and proposed bylaws for review and comment by members. |
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| :: ONLINE ARCHIVES |
 Newly Revised webpages on the BCA-Pool.com site ... include an alphabetical list of Hall of Fame inductees, linked for easier searching, and an all-new list of President's Award winners. Site navigation provides the information under the "Industry" and "About Us" tabs.
The Hall of Fame preview page contains a description of the award criteria, plus a new "inside look" at the national office gallery that houses duplicates of all 50 commemorative plaques that are presented to inductees. On each plaque is a laser-engraved sketch of the player, with their name and induction year. A full directory of all-time Hall of Famers provides links to webpages that contain more bio information about each player and contributor of merit.
Under the "About Us" tab on the BCA website, the "Staff and Board" dropdown offers a link to the new President's Award page, which includes a description of the award, a listing of all-time BCA Board Presidents, and their designated honorees since the award's inception in 1987. |
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| :: BCA MEMBER NEWS |
:: BCA PROFILE |
Blatt Billiards ... Founded in 1923, this long-time BCA business member has become a retail landmark in the Big Apple. When the company sponsored the recent Friars Club benefit event honoring the late Jerry Orbach, NYTimes reporter Freda Moon described the company this way:
"Eighty-three years and three generations make Blatt a New York institution. Sam Blatt immigrated from Russia in 1913 and started his company 10 years later. Though a cabinet maker by trade, he knew an opportunity when he saw one. With more than 4,000 pool halls in New York in those days, he traveled from pool hall to pool hall, repairing pockets and replacing fabric. |
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During World War II, with young men off fighting instead of at home shooting pool, many halls faltered. In the 1940's, as the city's pool halls closed their doors one by one, Blatt opened the factory on Broadway ... " [ full article ] |
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Poetry in Felt and Slate
By FREDA MOON
Published: March 19, 2006 |
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 SHHHH ... DON'T TELL HIM ... BUT FORMER BOARD PRESIDENT SKIP NEMECEK ... has been tapped to receive the "surprise" President's Award at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Houston on April 6. Current BCA President Gregg Hovey will present the honor, which is given annually to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the billiard industry. [ more ]
The name “Skip” is synonymous with “BCA.” As President of Tweeten Fibre Company, Skip has exhibited at the BCA Expo since 1990. First elected to the Board in 1995, he served on or chaired nearly every committee, and later marshalled the Board through historic decisions in his final two years as President. Among them was the successful test of, and transition to, an earlier Expo date, which subsequently paved the way for the BCA’s second trade show, Back to Billiards. [ full article ]
Join the BCA in honoring this special volunteer, at the Hilton Ballroom of the Americas, Rooms A/B/C, on April 6 in Houston, at 7:30 pm. Tickets may be purchased up to the day of the program, on site at the BCA registration desk, or by placing an order in advance [ download a PDF form ]. Congratulations to Skip, and we look forward to seeing you there to share in this special recognition!
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:: BCA PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT |
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IT'S BEEN OVER EIGHT YEARS ... since the 1997 BCA 8-Ball National Championships, and this poster is still one of the BCA's most popular commemorative sale items. With its western theme and vintage look, this piece easily fits into the decor of any "pool hall" ... including the one in your basement!
The background is a rich, metallic copper color, with a sepia-toned "shootout" photograph centered above the promotional copy. This 17" x 31" poster would make any wall in your gameroom look great.
Were you — or someone you know — at this landmark event in Las Vegas? If so, you can re-live that special week every time you glance at this striking poster. Priced at $7.95 for BCA business members, this item ships in a sturdy tube and is available for online order today. |
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| :: BCA NOTES & NEWS BRIEFS |
| DON'T FORGET ... |
... The BCA National 8-Ball Entry Deadline is Monday ... According to the BCA Pool League website, March 27 IS the final day an entry fee can be taken without a late charge.
Entries postmarked between March 28 and April 10, 2006 must include a $25 late fee and be paid by money order, cashier’s check or credit card. No Personal Checks accepted!
Show Only Specials on Site ... As previously reported, Expo exhibitors can still get on the yellow-balloon bandwagon when they arrive in Houston. Late-comers will be able to offer a Show Only Special for $150, BUT only while extra balloon supplies last! Contact Carolyn Lewis to reserve one now, or take your chances! |
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STAR WARS |
The Annual Challenge the Stars Benefit ... will take place in conjunction with the BCA National 8-Ball Championships and the EnjoyPool.com 9-Ball Championships in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 16. [ more ] |
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Want to donate an auction item? Download the donation form, and do your part to support the good work of the Billiard Education Foundation. |
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| TWO YEARS AGO |
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In 2004 ... Then-BCA President Skip Nemecek headed this left-to-right lineup with special guest presenter Jerry Orbach and that year's President's Award winner Butch Olhausen. This year, Nemecek will receive the award. |
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| DEADLINES ... COMING UP |
● Show Only Specials
First-come, first-served
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (info at left)
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 An exclusive service to Billiard Congress of America Business
Members, the
BCA
Member Update
is announced via email twice monthly and
archived
online. Please print and circulate this newsletter widely and feel
free to submit your comments
or contributions to BCA Executive Director
Stephen D. Ducoff
or Director of Communications/Editor Linda Mojer. |
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Copyright © Billiard Congress of America |
NEXT
ISSUE: Vol. 3, No. 7 – April 14, 2006 |
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