International Bowl Expo 2009 Rolls Out of Vegas

Bowling Industry on Solid Track for Remainder of 2009　

ARLINGTON, TX — Enthusiasm and optimism were everywhere during International Bowl Expo 2009 (IBE 2009) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. After a week of classes, seminars, networking events and the ever-popular trade show, bowling industry leaders, suppliers, manufacturers and attendees declared the event an outstanding success giving IBE 2009 high marks in all categories.

Attendance numbers were up over last year’s Bowl Expo in Orlando, yet off about 10 percent from a normal venue in Vegas. However, John LaSpina, IBE committee chair remarked this year’s convention and trade show actually beat the odds of other Vegas national shows. “While Las Vegas numbers for other national trade shows are down about 30%, we are pleased with the total participation of the bowling industry as a whole in this year’s Bowl Expo.” LaSpina also added, “Early reports from vendors indicate there was a lot more buying on the Trade Show floor and a lot of interest expressed in new items that were on display.”

Originally known as the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of America’s (BPAA) Annual Convention, it officially became BPAA’s Bowl Expo in 1995 and ultimately “International Bowl Expo” a year later. As in past years, the international popularity was very evident as contingencies from BPA of Canada, the European Bowling Proprietors’ Association, the Japanese Bowling Proprietors Association, as well as numerous industry colleagues from China, Australia, South America, Mexico, Russia, India and Southeast Asia were among those in attendance. Online registration at International Bowl Expo’s official Web site, www.bowlexpo.com continued to be a popular avenue for registrants to sign up for the annual event. IBE 2009 was also the venue of choice for the Bowling Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) annual conference, the Bowling News Network (BNN), the IBPSIA Annual Conference and USBC Coaching Summit in addition to the Annual Armed Forces Bowling Conference, held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

On Monday, June 22, BPAA conducted their annual membership breakfast meeting where member delegates re-elected their slate of officers to a second one-year term: BPAA president, Jim Sturm, Dunbar Bowling Center, Dunbar, W.Va.; John Snyder, Thunder Bowl Lanes, Alpena, Mich. as president-elect; Cathy DeSocio, Joma Bowling, Wichita, Kan., secretary and Tom Martino, Majestic Lanes, Hopelawn, N.J. as treasurer. Also re-elected to two year term at-large director seats were Rick Braden, Terre Haute Bowling Center, Terre Haute, Ind., John Losito, Sun Valley Lanes, Lincoln, Neb. and Bill Wammes, Al Mar Lanes, Bowling Green, Ohio. Jason Altman, Surf Bowl, Orangeside, Calif. joins the board as the new Pacific Coast Regional Director succeeding Jim Wangeman, Harvest Park Bowl, Brentwood, Calif., whose term expired.

Also during Monday’s meeting BPAA presented Larry Moyes, Ben Lomond Lanes, Ogden, Utah with the 2009 President’s Medal for his contributions and leadership of past IBEs, while Mike Hennessy, bowling journalist, was recognized posthumously with the 2009 V. A. Wapensky Award accepted by his wife Gerry. The New York State Bowling Proprietors Association was presented the 2009 Ruben A. Dankoff Legislative Award and Pro Bowl Hall of Famer, renowned coach Mike Aulby, owner of Mike Aulby’s Arrowhead Lanes, Lafayette, Ind. as the 2009 BPAA/Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award recipient. Other award winners included Hank Harris, Brunswick Corporation, BPAA Special Project Award, and Kent Lowe, Louisiana State University senior Sports Information Director received the 2009 BPAA Media Award. In addition, several BPAA Golden Pin (Best Practices) and Proprietor of the Year recipients were recognized for their achievements. Several educational seminars were also held on Monday, including an interactive educational keynote session presented by public relations consultants Brad and Janet Ritter entitled, “Pins, Profits & PR.”

Monday evening featured the Fifth Annual International Bowling Karaoke SuperStar Finals, presented by The Lighting & Sound Karaoke Store. Ten regional finalists performed in front of a prestigious panel of judges and hundreds of IBE 2009 attendees vying for the $5,000 top prize. Virginia Rush Williams who qualified and won the regional contest at Waccamaw Lanes, S.C., took top honors. Kendra Sullivan, Colonial Lanes, Wisc. and J. E McKissic, Alley Cats, Texas placed a close 2^nd and 3^rd, respectively, in a very entertaining contest.

With over 50 different educational seminars and workshops offered, education was the main focus Monday and 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.

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