THE BCA RECENTLY ANNOUNCED IT HAS ENHANCED … its 9-Ball Championship event for 2008. The name of the event has also been changed to the “GenerationPool.com 9-Ball Championships.” GenerationPool.com is the new BCA consumer Web site slated for launch in early 2008.

For the first time, the 2008 GenerationPool.com 9-Ball Championships will be held in conjunction with the International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo, June 12-14, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The tournament’s semi-finals and finals events will take place June 11-12 in the Grand Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center.

“We wanted to produce a standout event and we knew that we would need to change the look and feel of our tournament to achieve this goal,” said BCA President Ivan Lee. “We will be changing the arena, the format, the production techniques and the environment of the tournament in order to highlight the professional level of play that will be taking place. The players will be treated to a first-class event in an upscale playing environment.”

Further, ESPN is committing more time to showing the GenerationPool.com 9-Ball Championships on ESPN and ESPN2 in 2008. After speaking with ESPN about the innovative changes developed for the tournament, they were thrilled to add two additional hours of programming for the event, meaning the event will air for a minimum of six hours. These additional hours of airtime will add more than 30 percent of first-run coverage shown on television.

The 2008 event will continue to feature a men’s and women’s division. Both divisions will begin with 32 players on Monday. The semi-finals that will take place the evening of Wednesday, June 11, and Thursday, June 12, will consist of the men’s and women’s finals. Both events will begin with a VIP reception.

In an effort to keep the linearity of the Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) tour, the women’s event will begin with 64 players June 6-7 at Smokin’ Cue, which is located at 10901 University City Blvd. in Charlotte. Once narrowed to 32 players, the event will move to the Charlotte Convention Center.  The field for the men’s division will consist of the top 32 players from the U.S. Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) rankings.

The BCA will also be inducting its 52nd member into the BCA Hall of Fame during the intermission between the men’s and women’s GenerationPool.com 9-Ball Championships final matches on Thursday, June 12. This exclusive ceremony will take place in the main arena and will continue the long tradition of recognizing and paying tribute to the world’s greatest billiard players and contributors.

Be sure to keep an eye on the 2008 GenerationPool.com 9-Ball Championships page on the BCA Web site, as well as GenerationPool.com, for the latest and greatest information regarding the tournament.

The BCA has expanded the Business of Billiards Seminar Series … to provide you with ideas to improve your business. If you haven’t been to the BCA Expo Web site lately, then take a few moments to check out the speaker profiles and seminar descriptions. These guest speakers are some of the best in their fields, so your time will be well-spent. The content will provide critical tools that can help you grow your business: methodologies to improve traffic in your store(s); Internet marketing strategies; drilled down information about the consumer market; and marketing inexpensively through community groups and non-profit partnering.

Seminar Spotlight: Internet Marketing: Easier Than You Think

More than 215 million Americans use the Internet every week. They look for restaurants, movies, pool halls and stores. They talk to friends, get the news, listen to music and watch videos. The next generation customer is probably looking for you on the Web. Is your company out there? The opportunities are limitless, but you may wonder if it’s too big, too expensive and too complicated to manage. Or, perhaps your company is already using the Web for marketing and you’re looking for ways to expand on that. Join us for Beth Krodel’s seminar on June 14, 2008, at 8:45 a.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center — and only at the 2008 BCA Expo. You’ll also get tips for setting up your own site on the soon-to-be launched BCA consumer Web site, GenerationPool.com!

Your specialist for this seminar is Beth Krodel, founding partner of Insight Designs Web Solutions. Krodel has helped craft more than 250 Web sites for clients ranging from well-known brands such as Pepsi, Spyder and Sierra Designs, to high-profile academic institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Duke University, and influential non-profits such as the Outdoor Industry Association and the National Center for Women & Information Technology. As you can see, she knows her stuff!

Make your plans now to join us in Charlotte, June 12-14, 2008.  Additional details, including more information on the Business of Billiards Seminar Series, can be found on the BCA Expo Web site.  Register today!

You can take part in setting the long-term direction of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) ... by serving on the BCA Board of Directors.  The 2008 Nominating Committee is currently accepting nominations for a total of six available board seats — four in the voting category, and one each in the retail and room operator categories.

If you are interested in running for a Board seat, or know of someone else who would be a good candidate, please refer to the Guidelines and Election Procedures on the BCA Web site for more information on how to proceed.

Nominations are due by Friday, March 7, 2008. If you wish to be considered for the Board, now is the time to speak up! Contact BCA CEO Rob Johnson with your qualifications at rob@bca-pool.com.

The U.S. Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) ... has named Shane Van Boening its 2007 Player of the Year. Van Boening is recognized for his accomplishments within the course of the past year and for representing the tour with such professionalism.

Van Boening has brought to the table an exceptional skill/talent and vast determination for perfecting the game. Along the road to success in 2007, he picked up many coveted titles and/or placed exceptionally high in many exclusive events, both nationally and internationally. Included in this list of events are the following: UPA Pro Tour Championship — 7th place; EnjoyPool.com 9-Ball Championship — 2nd place; Predator World 10-Ball Championship — 1st place; World Summit of Pool — 2nd 2007; U.S. Open Championship — 1st place; 2007 World Pool Championship — 17th place; and Mosconi Cup Team Member — 2nd place.

Upon receiving the news of the award, Van Boening commented that, “This title is an honor for me. All of the players are tough on tour. I am thankful for the UPA’s help and encouragement.”