BOWL EXPO, USBC CONVENTION ANNOUNCE CONCURRENT MEETINGS FOR 2011 IN TEXAS

RENO Nev. All of the bowling industry will meet in one place for first time when the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Convention and International Bowl Expo are held in the same city in 2011.

Both events are scheduled for June 27 - July 2, 2011 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. Plans for the grand week of bowling became official during the 2009 USBC Convention when the USBC board of directors approved moving its convention and annual meeting to June.

“The Board has been looking at the April-May time frame with some concern due to the absence of youth our convention,” said USBC President Jeff Boje'. “They are in school or taking final exams so the move opens up our convention for youth bowlers and families.”

Bojé is excited about opening up the meetings to all bowlers.  “Bowling is a family sport and convention should be a family activity too. The Texas event will also allow people to see everything the International Bowling Campus has to offer. The International Museum and Hall of Fame will be open by 2011 and the new International Training and Research Center will be in full operation.”

Shuttles will be provided between the Gaylord Texan, other host hotels and the International Bowling Campus.

“Simply put, International Bowl Expo is a convention for the entire bowling industry,” said BPAA President Jim Sturm. “There are seminars at Bowl Expo of interest to USBC delegates and exhibits at USBC convention that benefit proprietors.”

Added Sturm, “At the end of the day, we're all bowlers and this will showcase our sport to everyone.”

A tentative schedule has the BPAA annual meeting held early in the week, followed by educational keynote speakers and seminars. The International Bowl Expo general session and trade show along with USBC workshops would follow mid-week, with the USBC annual meeting held the final two days. The week would also feature annual gatherings of the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA), USBC Coaches Association and Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA).

USBC delegates would be invited to attend the Bowl Expo trade show and general session at no charge. While select Bowl Expo seminars and special events may require admission fees, executives at USBC and BPAA project significant cost savings and efficiencies for both organizations by moving these national events to the same time and location.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

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Bowling Proprietors' Association of America
Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Arlington, Texas, BPAA represents the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide. Boas mission to enhance the profitability of its member centers and its vision is to be an essential resource to bowling centers and to lead a united, growing, more prosperous and highly regarded bowling industry.

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