Continued - Come Rain or Shine…International Bowl Expo 2008 Once Again Wows Attendees in Orlando

International Bowl Expo attendees gathered in Shingle Creek’s Sebastian Ballroom on Wednesday morning to witness the recognition of The Bowling Foundation’s Educator of the Year, Stephanie Legacy of Anne Arundel County Elementary Schools in Annapolis, Md. Designated as "Hall of Fame Day," any national bowling-related hall of fame member was recognized and given a ‘hall of fame’ medallion to wear around his/her neck. In addition, long-time bowling broadcaster Chris Schenkel was posthumously inducted into the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame while well-known bowling coach/instructor Dick Ritger was inducted as the inaugural member of the new Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame. During the Wednesday General Session attendees listened intently to a special presentation by USBC’s President Jeff Bojé as he spoke about the USBC’s future, the industry’s direction and the International Bowling Campus in Arlington. In addition, the industry recognized Howard Baum, the 2008 recipient of the industry’s most prestigious award, the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal and 2008 inductee into BPAA’s Hall of Fame. Strike Ten Entertainment Vice Presidents Frank DeSocio and Henry Lewczyk, provided an update on STE’s progress over the past year including the unveiling of the long-awaited "Strike Bike" chopper designed and built by the famous Orange County Chopper Teutul family. The "Strikebike" will be the topic of an upcoming the episode of The Teutul’s show, American Choppers, which airs on The Learning Channel. The episode is tentatively set for Thursday, August 14th at 9 pm eastern time. Attendees were also entertained Wednesday morning by Connis Vanterpool, The Saxophone Maestro, and Reggae artist Dread’I.

With 50 different educational seminars and workshops offered, education was the main focus on Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday as leaders and speakers from within and outside the bowling industry spoke to the thousands gathered to gain fresh knowledge and ideas on how to better run their businesses.

The pinnacle of IBE 2008 was Thursday night’s resurrection of "BOB", or "Bowling’s Outrageous Block-Party," at Universal Studio’s City Walk, featuring Karaoke Finals winner Julianne Bouwens, Caribbean entertainers Connis Vanterpool and Dread’I then capped off with headline entertainers Neal McCoy and The Commodores. QubicaAMF Worldwide with support from ASCAP, BMI and SESAC sponsored the Thursday night event.

Fundraisers were plentiful during Bowl Expo with The Bowling Foundation’s Golf Outing and the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame’s Salute to Bowling Silent and Live Auction.

International Bowl Expo thanks all of its sponsors and especially the 2008 Diamond Level Sponsors Pepsi-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, QubicaAMF Worldwide, North Pointe Insurance Group, Brunswick, Sysco, Sara Lee and DHL Express.

International Bowl Expo 2009 returns to Las Vegas’ under "one roof" at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino June 21 - 26, 2009. Exhibits will be housed in The Mandalay Bay Convention Center on June 24th and 25th. 2009’s theme is "We’re on a Roll!"

International Bowl Expo is the premier industry event for owners and operators of bowling centers, billiard centers, and related pro shops worldwide.

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