LUCKY STRIKE CEO STEVEN FOSTER TO SPEAK AT 2011 INTERNATIONAL BOWL EXPO SUPER SESSION

Bowling Proprietors' Association of America Welcomes Foster at the Bowling Industry's Premier Annual International Convention

ARLINGTON, TX – May 4, 2011 - The Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA), the bowling industry's leading trade association, announced today that entrepreneur, bowling industry icon and business leader Steven Foster will serve as a special guest speaker at the 2011 International Bowl Expo.  Foster, who is the founder and CEO of the ground-breaking high-end chain of bowling centers Lucky Strike Lanes, will speak on June 30, at 9 a.m. CDT during Expo’s Super Session at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas. 

Foster, who recently received national attention when he was featured on CBS’ hit television show “Undercover Boss,” will present a seminar entitled, “The Changing Face of Bowling.” The seminar will be based upon Lucky Strike’s creation of the new brand of “Boutique Centers” and will showcase how this trendsetting brand has helped fuel an industry-wide resurgence that has propelled bowling to become America’s number one participatory sport with more than 70 million persons bowling annually.

“Steven is a true leader, innovator and visionary within our industry.  By creating a new bowling experience with Lucky Strike Lanes he played a critical role in helping to drive the growth of our entire category,” said Steve Johnson, executive director of the BPAA.  “He created an entirely new brand of bowling that helped propel bowling and Lucky Strike into the public eye while attracting fresh interest in bowling among celebrities, younger and female audiences and the general public.”

Added Johnson, “Steve joins an all-star line-up of speakers who will help make this year’s International Bowl Expo among the best in history.”

Additional speakers will include football and business icon Roger Staubach and top bowling industry executives. 

In conjunction with the 2011 Bowl Expo, which will run from June 26 – July 1, the 2011 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open finals will be held at the 50 yard line at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m. CDT, marking the first time a women’s bowling event will be held at a non-traditional bowling venue.

Additional information and registration can be found at www.bowlexpo.com. 

About Steven Foster

Steven Foster has over 30 years experience creating entertainment and dining venues. He is a two-time winner of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in recognition of his creation of outstanding entertainment concepts. He was first presented with the award in 2001 following his work at Jillian’s, which he founded in 1988 and expanded to a chain of over 35 entertainment facilities in 21 states. In 2006 he received the award again with his wife Gillian for the Lucky Strike concept. Steven holds a BA from Brandeis University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University School of Law in 1978.

About Lucky Strike Lanes

2003 was the end of an era for the iconic Hollywood Star Lanes, an institution that served Hollywood for 43 years and was home to the filming of “The Big Lebowski.”  In March it was leveled to make way for a school. But just as the door to one icon closed, another opened. In April of that year, Lucky Strike debuted its first location in Hollywood. Wanting to pay homage to its predecessor, Lucky Strike purchased Lane #7 from Star Lanes and made it Lucky Strike Hollywood’s bar. It’s been good luck ever since. Eight years and 20 locations later Lucky Strike Lanes continues to roll its way across the country.

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