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Vol.3,
No.24 — December 29, 2006
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:: DON'T MISS THE BOAT ... By the time the next edition of Member Update is delivered, the BCA Membership Directory ship will be casting its moorings and getting ready to set sail on January 15.
 With calendar year renewals, the print edition of the directory is the first project scheduled to go "on press" each year. This assures the longest-term benefit for members who renew promptly to keep their listing current in the reference book. The 2006 edition is shown at left, and members will be able to replace their dog-eared copies very soon.
Make sure your company appears, by contacting Membership Administrator Kathy Simmons at 264-8300 x116 to renew today!
The BCA also offers a full-time Internet directory of member companies that remains live around the clock. So make the most of your BCA affiliation with a last-minute renewal – today – to update both listings. The earlier you sign on as a member, the longer you'll be listed, so don’t wait!
Already renewed, but need to update your directory listing? Download a PDF form to complete the process!
Another Member Benefit = Exercise (your right to vote) ! With the shift of the annual Expo to June (along with the BCA General Membership Meeting), the Board of Directors election timeline has been moved back. Voting is limited to current business members of record that appear on the membership roster ninety (90) days prior to the election date. This means that you must be a member in good standing on March 22 in order to cast a ballot.
This particular benefit of membership allows business members to take part in shaping the course of the industry, by selecting your category representation to the BCA Board of Directors each year. The 2007 Nominating Committee is in the process of identifying candidates to run for a total of six available board seats — four in the voting category, and one each in the retail and room operator categories. To learn more about BCA Elections, please refer to the online Guidelines & Election Procedures at BCA-Pool.com.
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| :: EXPO GOLF CLASSIC |
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IN THE WORKS ... Details are being finalized for later release, but the BCA is planning to host its First Annual International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo Golf Classic on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 — a full day prior to the Expo grand opening. So pack your clubs and head out early!
A “best ball” format will be used for individual and team prizes, and the special event will include complimentary beverages on the course, plus lunch and round-trip transportation from Treasure Island for exhibitors and attendees who take part. Plan to arrive in time to enjoy a relaxing day of golf before the real business of billiards heats up at the Sands Expo Center – we’ll see you there! For more information, contact Expo Show Manager Brian Glasgow at 708-226-1300. |
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| :: NEW TIME, NEW STATION ... FOR HALL OF FAME |
 Now in May at the BCA 8-Ball Nationals ... The BCA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies (formerly held in conjunction with the Expo) have been re-scheduled to take place at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 15, 2007.
The new venue is expected to draw record crowds, by coinciding with the EnjoyPool.com 9-Ball Championships, the Billiard Education Foundation "Challenge the Stars" benefit fundraiser and the BCA Pool League 8-Ball Nationals.
Tickets to attend the induction ceremony will be available for $15.00 in advance, and $20.00 on site. For more information, contact Carolyn Lewis in the BCA office at 264-8300 x128.
In a related announcement, a new professional organization has been formed to support revised voting rules for the BCA Hall of Fame. The United States Billiard Media Association defines its membership as “professional print, TV, video, marketing and Internet media persons who cover cue sports” and will have as its principal mission to elect its members to the BCA’s Hall of Fame Board. USBmA members would make up a majority of the board’s roster, and would nominate and then vote on candidates for the Hall of Fame. The BCA’s board of directors has approved this new process, and expects the Hall of Fame Board to carry out the election for the Hall’s Class of 2007 sometime this spring. [ more ] |
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MEDIA & PR REPORT |
THE UNITED STATES BILLIARD MEDIA ASSOCIATION ... has been formed as a support and advocacy group for billiard journalists and media professionals. In correspondence co-authored by editors Mike Panozzo (Billiards Digest) and J.R. Calvert (InsidePool), the announcement outlines the membership program along with the organization's goals, which include: |
- Providing support and a single, authoritative voice for media members when confronted with obstructions to the free practice of journalism.
- Providing a forum for media members to share information about events and professional issues, as well as resources to better cover cue sports and players.
- Recognizing outstanding work and long-term achievement among media members and figures in the billiard community.
- Elevating the visibility and status of billiards in the media at large.
- Maintaining a liaison with billiard associations and promoters, and providing information about the billiard media for cue-sport organizations and the general public.
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Initially administered by Luby Publishing, the founders reserve the right to determine what constitutes a “media professional” — citing, for example, that a frequent contributor to an online billiard forum is not a “media professional”; a person who derives a significant portion of his or her income from maintaining an online billiard news site would be considered a “media professional.”
Details about the group’s by-laws — including electing new executives and members to the Hall of Fame Board each year — will be available to members in early February. Find out more from Mike Panozzo or Mason King at (312) 341-1110. |
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MEMBER MARKETING
101 ... From "52 Ways to Make Pool Everybody's Game" |
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TIP № 37 |
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Host a “singles’ night” to attract new customers |
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STRATEGY: |
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Pool is a low-pressure way for singles to have fun, and hosting a singles’ night is a great way to attract new customers. Once singles see how easy it is to meet new people over a game of pool, they’ll be back to play on other nights with their friends or a date. |
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EXECUTION: |
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- Partner with singles’ organizations in town to host an event
- Encourage “mixing” with a Scotch Doubles or team format
- Provide food and drink specials
- Advertise through print, radio, the Internet, direct mail, press releases and signage
- Get the event listed in the “Things to Do” section of your local papers
- Give your guests invitations to the next singles’ night and a coupon for a free drink when they have their next “big date”
- Invite league operators to recruit new league members
- If any of your singles’ events creates a “match”, host their wedding reception or rehearsal dinner at a reduced rate
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LILLIS FEATURED ON 700 CLUB WEBSITE |
 The 700 Club website ... followed up its broadcast segment on Gospel Trick Shot Ministries with a print interview that opens: "Meet Steve Lillis. He has fused his passion for pool and for people into his own Gospel Trick shot ministry. Steve remembers getting his first pool table as a kid. “On Christmas morning, I was so surprised. My eyes must have been open like saucers, because I saw that beautiful 4’ x 8’ billiard table with the shiny balls and the green felt,” he tells The 700 Club." [ more ]
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| :: NEW PROMOTIONS FOR CLASSIC |
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 The Derby City Classic ... has a new website featuring online registrations and ticket sales, plus over $100,000.00 added to its lineup of pool games. The "Masters Of The Table" can receive a total of $30,000.00 and five new titles have been added to the All Round division this year, each receiving $1,000. Competition runs from January 5-13, at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. [ more ]
Diamond Billiard Products, Inc. is the designer and manufacturer of the Diamond Professional Table and Diamond Smart Table, which will be used for all competitive play at the event. Since the company's inception in 1987, Diamond has been involved in a wide range of local, national and international tournament events - providing equipment, consulting, advice and expertise. |
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| :: BCA MEMBER NEWS |
:: BCA SPOTLIGHT |
Sims Vibration Laboratory ... is a BCA business member with a line of "products that work" to reduce the vibration in sporting goods equipment — like your favorite cue.
Cue stick vibration can cause the tip to wander, greatly decreasing accuracy. The LimbSaver™ X-1 Cue Stick Stabilizer keeps the tip on the ball longer, and the stabilizing effect leads to dampened vibration of your cue stick, enhanced energy on your break, consistent English and controlled spin. |
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The original LimbSaver® line of products was introduced in 1999, and are considered the best damping products on the market.
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Ewa Mataya Laurance ... was recently featured by Forbes online, in an article "On the Geometry of Pool". The piece was excerpted from an interview with Kat Noel, and appeared under the "Games" heading on the high-traffic website. [ more ]
| :: PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT |
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IF BETTER MARKETING IS YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION ... The Billiard Creative Agency is the solution! Virtually an ad agency on a disc, it's available only to BCA Business Members — and your first copy is FREE with your paid BCA business membership (another reason to renew)!
The CD includes "how to" tips on marketing, graphic design and public relations. You'll find pre-designed templates for print ads, brochures, web banners, window banners, coupons, posters, postcards and greeting cards. We've also brainstormed to develop a long list of attention-getting headlines for your promotional material. Last, but not least, we've included a basic stock photography library including high resolution images that are royalty free. [ order ] |
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| :: BCA NOTES & NEWS BRIEFS |
| COMING UP ... |
... NWPA R.A.D.A.R. 9-Ball Classic ... in Rochester, Minn., January 27-28.
... The BCA Pool League presents the Jay Swanson Memorial 9-Ball Tournament ... in Hollywood, Calif., January 27-28.
... Carolina Women's Billiard Classic ... in Rocky Mount, N.C., February 21-25 [ schedule ] |
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| SPECIALTY HONORS |
The One Pocket Hall of Fame ... will conduct its 2007 inductions on January 9 at the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky. [ more ] |
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OH, CANADA |
Former BCA Junior Champ John Morra ... was in the news, with his win at The Canadian 30K Tour's year-end event. InsidePool reported that 40 billiard players competed in a contentious field of good caliber, and that John Morra emerged as the winner. [ more ] |
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| MOM & BABY DOING WELL |
Jennifer Barretta gave birth to her firstborn son Max on December 20, following an unscheduled c-section delivery. There were no complications, so the newborn was able to enjoy his first Christmas at home with mom and dad Rich Barretta. [ more ] |
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| IPT HOLIDAY UPDATE |
Billiard Digest reports ... "In an e-mail sent Dec. 18 at 3:37 p.m., International Pool Tour Founder Kevin Trudeau addressed several questions on the minds of players and hopefuls, most notably announcing that the schedule for the 2007 season will be finalized by March 1, and fewer events are anticipated. As such, those who participated in a qualifying tournament in pursuit of a 2007 tour card will be refunded their $2,000 entry fee if the schedule is abbreviated."
The latest "Headstring News" item contains the full text of Trudeau's email. [ more ] |
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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 forward, print and circulate this newsletter widely and feel
free to submit your comments
or contributions to Editor Linda Mojer, BCA Director of Communications, 719-264-8300 x120. |
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Copyright © Billiard Congress of America |
NEXT
ISSUE: Vol.4, No.1 – January 12, 2007 |
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