The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) – as the industry's leading trade organization – continues its commitment to marketing and public relations initiatives designed to get more people playing pool and buying billiard equipment. Over the years, the sport has grown in stature and now enjoys an enhanced and improved level of exposure in the national media.

Industry Trends  Although the latest SGMA industry data reported a dip to $240 million in billiard table sales, the overall sporting goods profile remains strong - outperforming the economy with industry sales growth of about 6.8%, compared to the U.S. economic growth rate of 4.3%. Growth in the sporting goods industry relies on both the strength of the overall U.S. economy and participation rates. If participation increases, business grows more rapidly than the economy.  [ more | billiard report ]

Participation  BCA Member League administrators have reported high levels of interest and growth across the board in 2005: American Cue Sports enjoyed a 40% increase in player numbers at national events, while local league sizes remained steady ... American PoolPlayers Association membership for year-end ’05 was 259,117 versus 252,123 in ‘04 (an increase of 6,994 members) ... BCA Pool Leagues saw a 52% increase in bodies and a 79% increase in entries at its 9-Ball Championship, while league growth was up with a 12% increase in overall membership. [ more ] According to SGMA, with its 36 million participants, billiards is one of the most popular activities measured by American Sports Data.

Other Indicators  In its Census of the Industry 2005 survey, Vending Times reported that "pool tables remained the amusement industry's dominant game, in terms of dollar volume and unit placements. The category produced 35% of coin drop receipts in 2004 and represented 26% of all amusement devices tracked by this study." A graphic with the report cited a $2,121,000,000 dollar volume from 340,000 coin-operated units on location. [ more ]

BCA Annual Report: Marketing
Uniting under the banner tagline of pool. everybody’s game.™ many BCA programs, players and Business Member companies have reaped the benefits of marketing and PR initiatives. Major industry trade shows, marquee events, internet properties, communications, marketing, sponsorship and promotional tools – plus the expertise of a New York PR firm – have all combined to offer BCA business members an exceptional package of benefits.

The BCA enjoyed a tremendous year in the marketing and promotions area, marked by exciting new initiatives and developments, and fully embracing the organization’s revised Vision and Mission Statements.

Media Mainstreaming The BCA’s New York public relations firm, Alan Taylor Communications, has successfully placed billiards in national and regional print and electronic media for total impressions of just under 113 million! A long list of BCA Business Members have had their products featured on ESPN2’s morning news show, Cold Pizza, and USA Today highlighted ten BCA Member billiard rooms in its Travel Destinations section. Separately, these rooms were again featured in a co-op ad placed in three issues of American Airline’s in-flight publication, American Way.

The households reached by ESPN in the broadcast of the BCA Open 9-Ball Championships totaled another 1.7 million, for a combined total of 114.5 million media impressions for calendar year 2005.

Branding & Benefits  BCA Business Members are going to receive a real treat in 2006 when the BCA officially debuts EnjoyPool.com, our new consumer-friendly website, focusing on the interests of players, fans and the general public. While the front page has been “live” for several months, the new site will feature updated billiard graphics, extensive links to “all things billiards”, including instruction and TV match listings, an online storefront and a searchable BCA Business Member database to easily locate a retailer or billiard room.

Only BCA Business Members will be included in the database, and the site will be heavily marketed in print and electronic media. To support this, both of the BCA professional events have been branded as the EnjoyPool.com 9-Ball Championships and the EnjoyPool.com Battle of the BCA Champions.