Third Annual International Bowling Karaoke Contest a Hit in Las Vegas in 2007

Third Annual International Bowling Karaoke Contest a Hit in Las Vegas in 2007
Mia Dorr, Minnesota Finalist takes Title

ARLINGTON, Texas - Entering its third year, the International Bowling Karaoke SuperStar Contest once again provided an entertaining evening for International Bowl Expo attendees. On Monday evening June 25th, everyone enjoyed a Welcome Reception sponsored by newly acquired Diamond-level Sponsor Anheuser-Busch featuring the Third Annual "International" Bowling Karaoke SuperStar Finals, presented by The Lighting & Sound Karaoke Store, where 12 regional finalists performed in front of a prestigious panel of judges and hundreds of IBE 2007 attendees vying for the $5,000 top prize. Mia Dorr, who qualified and won the regional contest at Kandi Entertainment Center in Wilmar, Minn., came away the winner of the very entertaining contest and also entertained attendees before the LeAnn Rimes concert during the Club Xpo event on Thursday night, June 28th. Oddly enough, Ms. Dorr shared with the crowd that she didn’t even make it past the local contest in 2007, which amazed everyone based on her obvious singing and performing talents.

Since its inception in 2005, the contest has continued to grow in popularity and participation. Over 50,000 singers competed in more than 130 BPAA member bowling centers across the United States and Canada during the 2007 contest.

Producers of the contest opted to change the name to International Bowling Karaoke SuperStar Contest to both reflect participation from bowling centers outside of the United States and not to conflict with other nationally-known talent contests. A new logo was developed to reflect the change.

Each participating center receives promotional materials to help advertise the event and their bowling center. The multi-week contest is a promotion that can bring new business into bowling centers as well as create additional ancillary revenue.

This promotion is a proven winner evidenced by numerous testimonials like the following:

Mike Leong representing Serra Bowl in Daly City, Calif., noted that he had a great turnout. The community totally supported the event. He added this has been "a great added attraction" to his center. He will "sign up again and recommends other centers to do so also."

Dale Christie with Skyway Park Bowl in Seattle, Wash. shared that they had a "fantastic turnout."

He noted that other centers should sign up and that he would love to do it again next year.

Greg Joseph at Valley Bowl in Waverly, NY said "second year in a row this center has produced a national finalist. Singers were phenomenal and as competitive as I have ever seen."

Winners of the Regional Finals advance to the International Finals held during International Bowl Expo, which returns to Orlando, Fla. and the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel June 22 - 27, 2008.

For more sign up information, bowling centers can contact The Lighting/Karaoke Store, producers of the international talent contest and bowling center promotion, at toll free 888-746-5483 or visit www.thelightingstore.com.

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

Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, the 75-year-old Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America represents the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide.

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