Overall registered attendance by buyers was slightly off, but the retailer attendance was up by 115 over 2002. The attendance decline came mainly from the room operator category, an area that will be addressed for the 2004 Expo.

Business of Billiards SeminarsThe Business of Billiards seminars kicked off o­n Wednesday with a marketing and graphic design workshop conducted by Brande Cox of Volition Studios. Ms. Cox also conducted a seminar with a virtual tour of the Billiard Creative Agency, an o­nline, members-only area of the BCA website  that features marketing tips, PR tips, design templates and royalty-free images of people enjoying pool in the home and in a billiard room. All BCA business members, as well as BCA instructors, have a user name and password that gives them access to this comprehensive marketing tool.

Other seminars included public relations, table installation, Internet marketing, shipping and risk management. BCA board members conducted roundtable discussions for both retailers and room operators to discuss current topics of interest.

General Membership MeetingBoard members were elected at the General Membership meeting that took place Wednesday, July 9, at 5:00 p.m. Fred Cohen and Clay Etheridge were re-elected as Voting representatives. Mike Brownstein was re-elected as a Retailer representative and Mark Griffin was re-elected as a Room Operator representative. Mike Baggett, Dan Dishaw and John Stransky were elected to the board as Voting representatives and Greg Hunt was elected as a Room Operator representative.

The officers for 2003/2004 are:President: Skip Nemecek (Tweeten Fibre Company, Inc.)1st Vice President: Fred Cohen (D&R Industries, Inc.)2nd Vice President: Henry Hayes, Jr. (Iwan Simonis, Inc.)Treasurer: Bob Radford (Antique Billiard Supply)Secretary: Butch Olhausen (Olhausen Billiard Mfg., Inc.)

Challenge the Stars BenefitThe Challenge the Stars event, benefiting the Billiard Education Foundation, raised nearly $5,000 with the support of Hall of Fame members and professionals such as Belinda Campos, Karen Corr, Allison Fisher, Paul Gerni, Loree Jon Jones, Eddie Kelly, Ewa Laurance, Jeanette Lee, Melissa Little, Mike Massey, Steve Mizerak, Jim Rempe, Mike Sigel and Eddie Taylor. Over 150 people attended the event, many from the local community due to newspaper advertising and a radio promotion. Assistance was provided by the local Boys and Girls Club.

The event took place o­n July 9, which happens to be the birthday of Jeanette Lee. The competition stopped briefly while the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Ms. Lee and presented her with a “Black Widow” cake. Product sponsors of the event included Showcase Billiards/AMF, Connelly Billiards, D&R Industries/Championship Billiard Fabric, Diamond Billiard Products, Escalade Sports, Imperial International, Iwan Simonis, Sigel’s Unlimited Cues & Accessories, Super Billiards Expo and Olhausen Billiard Mfg.  ExhibitorsW.T. Glasgow, Inc. representative Brian Glasgow reported a very smooth move-in process for exhibitors o­n Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Exhibitors were pleased with the Sands Expo & Convention Center and the support from the convention center staff.

The Expo floor opened at 10:00 a.m. o­n Thursday morning with strong crowds that continued through Saturday afternoon, when the floor closed at 4:00 p.m. While the floor officially opened at 10:00 a.m. each morning, buyers could set up private appointments with exhibitors between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Best Booth Awards were given in three size categories. The winners were:10+ BoothsCue & Case SalesGLD ProductsMcDermott Cue ManufacturingTempo IndustriesTree Products by Cranford

3-9 BoothsAnheuser-BuschD&R Industries/Championship Billiard FabricHood Leather GoodsItalian Trade CommissionRC Designs International

1-2 BoothsBilliard Pro ShopGorina TradingIwan SimonisKessler IndustriesParagon International

BCA Hall of Fame BanquetThe Hall of Fame Banquet honoring Edwin “Champagne Eddie” Kelly and Efren “The Magician” Reyes was held at the Venetian Resort Hotel o­n Saturday, July 12. Mr. Reyes could not attend the event due to his prior commitment to play in the WPA World 9-Ball Championships in Cardiff, Wales. Mr. Rene Encarnacion, head of the international division of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., represented Mr. Reyes and accepted the award o­n his behalf. Mr. Kelly was introduced by his long-time friend and BCA Hall of Fame member, Eddie “Knoxville Bear” Taylor. Mr. Kelly resides in Las Vegas and attended the ceremony with several family members. Each inductee received a Hall of Fame blazer, Hall of Fame ring and a commemorative plaque. A matching plaque resides in the Hall of Fame display at the BCA National Office in Colorado Springs, CO.

BCA President Skip Nemecek presented the BCA President’s Award to Michael Di Motta, former BCA Board of Directors member and President of Imperial International. The President’s Award is bestowed upon individuals who make significant contributions to the billiard industry. The award itself is inscribed with the phrase: Sersum et Posrum ad Excellentium, which means: o­nward and Upward Toward Excellence.

2004 International Billiard & Home Recreation ExpoA focal point of this year’s event was to communicate the change of name and month of the 2004 Expo. Starting in 2004, the Expo becomes the International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo to incorporate the diverse range of products o­n display and buyers in attendance. The change from summer to late March/early April allows exhibitors to process orders in time for the all-important fall holiday retail season.  The 2004 Expo takes place March 31 - April 3, 2004 at the Las Vegas Convention Center; special events take place o­n March 31, with the Expo floor open April 1-3.

With the Super Billiards Expo taking place the week prior to the BCA Expo, the BCA has made arrangements to assist companies exhibiting at both events transport their product and exhibits from Valley Forge, PA, to Las Vegas, NV, without incurring rush shipping charges. The trucks will depart from Valley Forge Sunday evening after the close of the Super Billiards Expo and arrive in Las Vegas Tuesday night, March 30. Items will be delivered to exhibitor booths at 8:00 a.m. o­n Wednesday, March 31, 2004. Companies wishing to participate in the special shipping program should contact W.T. Glasgow at 708.226.1300 for space reservations.

“We anticipate a great Expo in 2004,” said BCA Trade Show Committee Chair Roger Blank. “We’re inviting a more diverse range of exhibitors and attendees to make the 2004 International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo the best event the industry has ever seen.”

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