BPAA SCORES A TOUCHDOWN FOR THE BOWLING INDUSTRY, SIGNS ROGER STAUBACH AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR 2011 INTERNATIONAL BOWL EXPO

Football and Business Icon to Help “Quarterback” Bowling’s Premier Annual Convention as it Comes to Dallas/Fort Worth 

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, October 13, 2010 – The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), the bowling industry’s premier trade organization, announced today that NFL Hall of Famer and commercial real estate icon Roger Staubach will serve as keynote speaker at the 2011 International Bowl Expo (IBE).  BPAA Executive Director Steve Johnson made the announcement at the East Coast Bowling Centers Convention (ECBCC) at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J.

Staubach will speak during the IBE General Session on June 29, 2011 at the Gaylord Texan, in Grapevine, Texas before a crowd expected to include bowling industry leaders, proprietors from across the world, manufacturers and industry partners.  Staubach’s keynote address will be part of a historic week for the bowling industry, which will also include the telecast of the finals of the 2011 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open from midfield of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of Super Bowl XLV.

“Roger Staubach is an incredible individual and an inspirational figure whose winning attitude has translated into legendary accomplishments both on the playing field and in the board room.  His message of hard work and perseverance in sports, business and life will resonate deeply with the audience of bowling industry leaders in attendance at Bowl Expo,” said Johnson.  “Additionally, as one of the greatest Dallas Cowboys to ever wear the silver and blue, he is the perfect individual to join us in ushering in an exciting milestone – the historic telecast of the 2011 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open finals from Cowboys Stadium.”

“It fills me with great honor and pride to speak at International Bowl Expo, especially during what is such an exciting time for the bowling industry.  The incredible resurgence of bowling, highlighted by four consecutive years of growth and its status as the nation’s number one participatory sport, is a tremendous credit to the leadership of BPAA and its more than 4,000 member centers,” said Staubach.  “I am also looking forward to the 2011 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open and watching these gifted competitors as they take to the lanes midfield in Cowboys Stadium and create history before a national audience.”

In addition to announcing Staubach’s keynote address at International Bowl Expo, Johnson’s speech at ECBCC highlighted a year of significant accomplishments for the bowling industry.  Fueled by increased interest from women and younger bowlers and the rising popularity of family entertainment bowling centers, the industry recorded its fourth consecutive year of growth highlighted by a 2.7% increase in consumer participation with more than 71.1 million having bowled between March 2008 through March 2009.  The BPAA also reported that, during the same period, bowling generated a $10 billion impact on the U.S. economy.

International Bowl Expo is the premier industry event for owners and operators of bowling centers, billiard centers and pro shops worldwide.  For the first time in history, Bowl Expo will be held in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and will be capped off by the telecast of the finals of the 2011 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open from midfield of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of Super Bowl XLV.

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