I said, she said ... I think, she thinks. And, so goes the relationship of couples. It happens during the purchasing process of a pool table, too. But, what does she say and think during this process? What does he say and think? And, who makes the final decision and writes the check? See and hear it for yourself during the most compelling 50 minutes of education and discussion during the 2009 BCA Expo:

Secret Shoppers Reveal Insights
Friday, June 26, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
Saturday, June 27, 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Remember, BCA members also receive free entry into the 2009 BCA Expo as long as you’ve registered by April 30, 2009. The easy, online BCA Expo registration process is now open — just click the big red button and you’ll be taken to step by step instructions to register for the 2009 BCA Expo. The entire process will take less than three minutes.  We look forward to seeing you, June 25-27, in Vegas!

Allison Fisher recently signed a partnership with BCA member Executive Billiards ... makers of the Delta-13, “The True Triangle.” Fisher has endorsed the “all aluminum” billiard accessory line, including the Limited Edition Delta-13 Elite, commemorating her 50th Classic Tour Victory. The rack comes with Fisher's signature engraved on unique gray or olive anodized racks (only 350 have been produced).

“I am pleased to support the Delta-13 and its sister accessories as they represent the highest of quality in the marketplace today,” said Fisher. “I love using these products and feel that they help bring the billiard industry back to the basics.” Fisher has achieved more tournament and tour wins than any other person in the history of the game. She has 74 professional titles, including eight 9-ball National Tour Championships, four U.S. Open Championships, and 53 Classic Tour Championships. Fisher was voted “Player of the Year” by the Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) 11 out of 12 years. Fisher believes her technique is the strongest part of her game. “If your basics are consistent, it will bring overall consistency to your entire game,” she says.

“To say that we are thrilled to have the support and endorsement from Allison would be an understatement,” said owner Terry Taggart. “She brings credibility, experience and a huge, world wide network of strong relationships to our team.”

BCA member Iwan Simonis ... and the United States Billiard Association (USBA) have announced the finalization of a multi-year sponsorship arrangement that will guarantee that USBA events will be played on the Simonis 300 Rapide carom cloth. “Given our longstanding relationship with the USBA, it just makes sense for [Simonis and the USBA] to have this kind of arrangement,” stated Ivan Lee, president of Iwan Simonis, Inc. “In these uncertain times, the USBA needs to focus on growing their tour and not worrying about sponsors.”

The multi-year deal makes Simonis the exclusive cloth sponsor to the USBA, including both the USBA tour and the USBA National Championships. Bob Jewett, president of the USBA commented, “Simonis has been the main sponsor for the USBA National Championships for many years and has helped out with the National Qualifiers for at least a decade. Their generous increase in support came at an important time for the organization as we try to increase membership during a difficult economic situation. We hope to make the relationship as beneficial to Simonis as it is to the USBA.”

BCA member PoolDawg ... recently announced that they have signed on as the Presenting Sponsor of the Women’s Professional Billiards Association’s (WPBA) live streaming matches for the 2009 season. “We are thrilled to be sponsoring the WPBA in this exciting new format,” said Michael Feiman, PoolDawg's director of marketing. “Unless you are attending a tournament, the only way to watch live pool and billiards in the United States is through online streaming. There's huge potential with this new format and we are extremely excited to have our name and brand associated with the WPBA and pool players such as Allison Fisher, Karen Corr and Jeanette Lee, who have become household names for billiards enthusiasts everywhere.”

Mike Howerton, founder of BCA member AzBilliards and AZBTV added, “The WPBA is working to embrace new internet technology and find new ways to let the fans be a part of the WPBA experience. We are very proud to be able to partner with a company like PoolDawg to make this Internet streaming possible.”

BCA member Predator Group ... and Dragon Promotions have recently announced that the 9th Annual Predator International 10-Ball Championship to be held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, May 11-16, 2009. The BCA Pool League (BCAPL), also a BCA member, will play host to the event this year as the pro event will take place in conjunction with the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships. This is the second straight year the event will be hosted by the BCAPL in Las Vegas and this year Dragon Promotions will be expanding the field from 96 players to 112.

“Predator Group and Dragon Promotions have been building this event up for years and we are really pleased at the level it has reached thus far,” said Karim Belhaj, CEO of Predator Group. “The players from around the world love this event and it’s become one of the premier titles in the world to win. The BCAPL has also been an excellent host and partner in the
event, and we look forward to even bigger and better things in the future.”

A field of 112 players from around the world will converge once again at the event. Countries represented will include Germany, India, Sweden, England, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia, Finland, Hong Kong, Norway, Pakistan, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curacao, Venezuela, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, Italy, Malta and the United States. Last year’s event had a full 96 players with more than two thirds of the field from foreign lands with 28 countries represented.

BCA member STORIS Management Systems ... a supplier of retail solutions and services for big-ticket retailers, announces their continued growth with the addition to their sales team. Sales veteran Bob Green has joined STORIS Management Systems as a regional sales manager. Green has over 16 years of successful sales experience in providing software solutions to home furnishing retailers, including many of the industry’s Top 100.

“I am ecstatic to be working for a retail software solutions company that has become the leader in delivering the technology and enhancements to help make big-ticket retailers more efficient and successful. STORIS is a company dedicated to providing cost-effective solutions that offer great value and ROI for all big-ticket retailers,” stated Green.

“We are excited to welcome Bob to the STORIS team. He provides a tremendous amount of industry knowledge and insight for our organization,” added Doug Culmone, COO of STORIS. “He is familiar with the leaders in the industry, which aids in his transition and ability to make an immediate impact on the business.”

The World-Pool Billiard Association (WPA) announces that the China Open ... will be played in Shanghai, June 8-14, 2009. The China Open is a 9-Ball event with two divisions. One division is for 64 male players with $150,000 in prize money, and another for 32 female players with $75,000 in prize money.

As previously announced, the WPA has started a new ranking system this year for the men, and they are pleased to now announce that there will be a similar system for the women. The China Open is classified as a ranking event for both divisions. All players who compete in ranking events will earn points.

China is also poised to host the WPA World 9-Ball Championship for women later in the year, which will include 64 players and $150,000 in prize money. Further details will be available soon.