The 2009 edition … of the Billiard Congress of America’s (BCA) International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo came to a successful conclusion. The event was held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 25-27, 2009. Exhibitors and attendees alike agreed that it was time well spent and that there were great deals being offered by manufacturers, as well as terrific information presented in the seminars.

“Informally, the show was a roll-call for the billiard industry and the exhibitors that attended saw a strong show of support from the retail base. Many buyers commented that Las Vegas is the right place for the BCA Expo and they were happy to be back in Vegas,” commented Ivan Lee, co-chair of the Expo and 2009-2010 chairman of the BCA Board of Directors.

The BCA extends a special thanks to everyone that participated in the 2009 BCA Expo. It was a tough year to get away from stores and billiard rooms; however, the industry rallied together to generate a positive energy toward moving forward, with the intent of success and a strong future.

“If you are involved in the billiard industry and didn’t participate in the BCA Expo you missed out,” said Lee. “But, don’t take my word for it, ask the exhibitors, retailers and room operators that came to the Expo.”

The 2009 Business of Billiards Seminar Series presentations are now available online on the 2009 BCA Expo Web site.

The 2010 BCA Expo will be held June 24–26, 2010, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Early Bird Special packages for exhibit space are in the mail (United States and Canada).

BCA members have the opportunity ... to download actual video and audio from the independent research commissioned as the basis for two of the Business of Billiard Seminar sessions at the 2009 BCA Expo.

“Secret Shoppers Reveal Insights” is a fascinating look into the billiard table shopping experience — from the vantage point of the potential consumer. What are your customers’ first impressions? Is it all about the inventory? What clinches the sale in the mind of the consumer? This research is presented in video format that allows you to see and hear the focus group results from two separate markets, with both men and women.

“Inside the Mind of Tomorrow’s Customer” is an in-depth look at what Generations Y and Z think about the game of pool. See and hear interviews with teenagers discussing what attracts their attention (video games, other sports), and where, when and why pool does — or does not — fall into their agendas. Armed with this information, you as a business owner will have a better understanding of what it’s going to take to capture a new generation of players.

These videos are exclusively for BCA members and offer valuable information about your customers and what they need in order to purchase. 

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) … crowned four winners in the 2009 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships. A total of 92 junior pocket billiard players gathered in the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University on July 23-26, 2009, to compete for the title in four divisions.

In the 19-and-under boys’ division, Landon Shuffett of Greensburg, Kentucky, sailed through the winners’ bracket, while Liz Lovely of Centerville, Ohio, went undefeated in the 19-and-under girls’ division. Brendan Crockett of Bell Canyon, California, thrived in the 14-and-under boys’ division and Briana Miller of Allentown, Pennsylvania, won her third consecutive title in the 14-and-under girls’ division.

In addition to trophies and prizes, the winners of the four divisions were awarded $1,000 in academic scholarship funds and earned a trip to represent the United States in the upcoming World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Junior World 9-Ball Championships, which will be held in Nicaragua this November. Second-place finishers in all four divisions received $500 in academic scholarship funds, trophies and prizes. In addition, second- and third-place finishers in the 19-and-under boys’ division will also represent the United States in the Junior World 9-Ball Championships.

A special “thank you” to all of the event sponsors who made the 2009 Junior National 9-Ball Championships possible: Billiard Congress of America; Brunswick Billiards; Simonis Cloth; Ozone Billiards; Aramith Billiard Balls; Dr. Cue Promotions; Delta-13.com; Illinois State University/Bone Student Center; ACUI; and BEF. Also, thanks to all the product donors who contributed to the junior prizes.

Additional tournament information, as well as a list of donors, can be viewed on the BEF Web site at billiardeducation.org.

The American Poolplayers Association (APA) ... recently announced that WPBA star Ewa Mataya Laurance, along with her daughter Nikki Graham, will own and operate the Coastal Carolina APA League.

Laurance, a multiple winner of 9-Ball and Trick Shot Championships, joins trick-shot artists Bruce Barthelette and Andy Segal as fellow APA league operators. The APA has more than 260 league operators throughout the United States, Canada and Japan.

“I’m really excited about taking over APA operations in the Coastal Carolina area where we reside,” said Laurance. “This is really a perfect fit for me and an extension of my involvement in the sport. Being able to do this as a family makes it even more special given that Nikki will handle day-to-day procedures.”

The BCA recently introduced ... two new online discussion forums to the BCA Web site at bca-pool.com: Pool Room Operator Discussion Forum and Retailer Discussion Forum. The BCA Discussion Forums are an exclusive, member-only benefit and forum users must be a current BCA member to gain access.

These forums are designed to afford BCA members the opportunity to communicate with their peers on topics of interest to the billiards industry while accessing informative and useful content relative to their business.

The BCA Discussion Forums are the resource for: tangible business-improvement tips; sharing of best practices; customer sales techniques; marketing dos and don’ts; industry updates; and much more.

Post your questions or share your know-how today and benefit from the experiences of members of the billiards community. Be sure to check back often for the latest and greatest posts!