In its capacity as the North American member to the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) ... the BCA has announced the formation of a WPA Committee. With the goal of uniting the professional player organizations and youth programs in North America to participate more effectively in the global growth of billiards as a sport and a business, the WPA Committee is comprised of the major organizations involved in pool and billiards in North America, including:

• Billiard Congress of America (BCA), Ivan Lee, President

• Billiard Education Foundation (BEF), Laura Smith, Executive Director

• Canadian Billiards & Snooker Association (CBSA), Dale Brimicombe, President

• National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association (NWPA), Jeff Dolezal, President

• United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA), Frank Alvarez, President

• Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA), Dawn Hopkins, Director

• BCA Delegate to WPA, Fran Crimi

• BCA Delegate to WPA, Ed Smith

“This is an historic moment for pool in North America,” said Ivan Lee, BCA Board president and WPA Committee chair. “Our first meeting on October 2, 2007, confirmed our belief that this group is able to work together in a way that will allow the BCA to maximize its participation in the WPA to the benefit of all professional and junior players, as well as our industry.”

Members of the WPA Committee will provide input on various issues associated with WPA participation, including player selection processes for international events, rules and specifications issues, potential scenarios for hosting international events in North America and other timely topics paramount to the sport and industry.

BCA membership renewal packets for 2008 ... have hit the mail.  The BCA looks forward to 2008 and has several new benefits and programs in the works for our members. As a Billiard Congress of America member, you are partnered with the only trade association in the billiard industry dedicated solely to your success.

Check out the new BCA Web site at www.bca-pool.com, where you can quickly and easily renew your membership online. Or, you can always renew your membership through the mail.  Be sure to renew your membership no later than January 15, 2008, to be included in the 2008 BCA Membership Directory.

If you have any questions regarding your current membership or your renewal, please contact Kari Freeland, BCA membership coordinator, at kari@bca-pool.com or 404.760.2892. Thank you for your continued support of the BCA!

The countdown clock is already ticking ... for the 2008 International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo at the Charlotte Convention Center, June 12-14, 2008. Be sure to bookmark the Expo home page at www.bcaexpo.com for all the latest information as it becomes available.

Three host hotels — Hilton Charlotte Center City, Marriott City Center and the Westin Charlotte — have been secured for exhibitors and attendees, who will find a wide price range for their stays in Charlotte. The downloadable housing form contains information about the host hotels, along with instructions on how to make advance reservations by phone or fax. If you call to book your room, make sure to mention the Expo to guarantee your special rate.

If you’re a pool room operator or retailer, sign up early to attend. Not only will you have a vast selection of products and services to choose from, expanded educational opportunities at the BCA Expo are also in the works. By attending sessions in the “Business of Billiards Seminar Series” you will be exposed to in-depth discussions led by industry leaders on an incredible breadth of topics. These sessions are guaranteed to help you: discover the challenges facing owners of billiard retail outlets and billiard rooms; boost play and profit; and generate fantastic networking possibilities. The seminars will also benefit buyers attending the Expo, helping them to operate their businesses more efficiently and professionally.

In addition, the BCA will be celebrating the Expo’s 25th anniversary in 2008 and Charlotte will play host to a week-long celebration of billiards, inclusive of the Expo and several special events.  Secure your booth and registration online today!