International Bowl Expo 2007 breaks records . . . again

Highlighting the celebration of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America's 75th Diamond Anniversary, International Bowl Expo 2007 (IBE 2007) surpassed the previous record year attendance of 2006 by approximately 6% (also was 12% over IBE 2003 which was also held at the popular Mandalay Bay) and received extremely high marks from bowling industry leaders, suppliers, manufacturers and attendees as more than 5,500 gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada June 24 - June 29 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino along with the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

International Bowl Expo was born out of what was previously known as BPAA's Annual Convention, and then in 1995 BPAA's Bowl Expo was the first time the "Bowl Expo" logo was introduced. In 1996, the event shifted away from being known as "BPAA's Convention" to "International Bowl Expo", a bowling industry gathering that continues to grow into the 21st century. IBE continues to grow in popularity as the event heads back to Orlando and the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, Central Florida's newest and most luxurious meeting destination, and Orlando's Orange County Convention Center in 2008. 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 among many other countries were also in attendance. Online registration for the IBE 2007 continued to be a popular avenue for registrants with hundreds of Bowl Expo attendees signing up through International Bowl Expo's official website, www.bowlexpo.com. IBE 2007 also welcomed back the Bowling Writers Association of America's annual conference, the IBPSIA Annual Conference and USBC Coaching Summit, mostly held at Texas Station Hotel & Casino, in addition to the Annual Armed Forces Bowling Conference, held at South Point Hotel and Casino. The 2007 Expo's trade show also set a record by being sold out for the first time in the event's brief history. The trade show presented attendees with a lively exhibit floor comprised of a range of new and standard products and services available to the bowling industry. Thousands of bowling center, military, pro shop and other bowling-related operators spread throughout the Mandalay Bay Convention Center exhibit floor, which was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, the official soft drink of bowling, on Wednesday and Thursday in search of the industry's most current and innovative products and services. Overall reports from IBE Exhibitors indicated an upward trend in trade show floor sales. Many pro bowlers appeared all over the show floor signing autographs while an increase in trade show activities including The Bowling Foundation's Mystery Squares fund-raiser that brought in thousands of dollars for youth programs, the second-annual BPAA-USBC Bowling Challenge, again won by BPAA 196-190, contests along with other cash prize giveaways, such as BPAA's 'Balloon Drop', helped keep buyers on the trade floor throughout both exhibit days. Monday, June 25th was also very busy as the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) conducted their annual membership breakfast meeting, which featured a celebration of BPAA's 75th anniversary and unveiling of a new BPAA logo (pictured), started out with a 'Celine Dion' impersonator to entertain those in attendance. BPAA member delegates re-elected their slate of officers to a second one-year term, BPAA President, Joe Schumacker of Schumacker & Co. in Davie, Fla. Jim Sturm of Dunbar Bowling Center in Dunbar, W. V. as President-Elect, John Snyder of Thunder Bowl Lanes in Alpena, Mich. as Secretary and Tom Martino of Majestic Lanes in Hopelawn, NJ as Treasurer. Also elected to two year term at-large director seats were Rick Braden of Terre Haute, IN, John Losito of Lincoln, NE and Bill Wammes of Bowling Green, OH. Jim Doty, Indianapolis, Ind. will assume the East Central Region director seat while Bob Johannes, Shawnee, Kan., assumes the Midwest Region director seat. In addition, Monday's meeting marked the recognition of Jack Moran, BPAA Past President from Roseland Bowl, Canandaigua, N.Y. as the 2007 President's Medal recipient, Dick Evans, bowling columnist, received the 2007 V. A. Wapensky Award, Past BPAA President and BPAA Hall of Famer Rex Golobic was presented the 2007 Ruben A. Dankoff Legislative Award and Helen Duval, renowned professional bowler and coach received the 2007 BPAA/Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award. Other award winners included Executive Director's Award winners Wanda Arthur and Dave Overbagh, Special Project Award recipient C. J. Fox, The Lighting & Sound Karaoke Store, along with several of the BPAA Golden Pin (Best Practices) and Proprietors of the Year recipients. Several educational seminars were also held on Monday, including an educational keynote session presented by well-known speaker, Jay Levinson, speaking on his Guerilla Marketing tactics. On Monday evening, 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. International Bowl Expo attendees packed the Mandalay Bay's South Pacific Ballroom on Wednesday morning to hear "Washington's Best-loved Couple," James Carville and Mary Matalin. During the Wednesday General Session attendees witnessed a special presentation by USBC's incoming-president Jeff Bojé. In addition, the industry recognized John Sommer, the 2007 recipient of the industry's most prestigious award, the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal and 2007 inductee into BPAA's Hall of Fame. Strike Ten Entertainment Vice Presidents Frank DeSocio and Henry Lewczyk, provided an update on STE's progress over the past year including the announcement of the new WWE league promotion which included a surprise visit by WWE's Mr. Kennedy. With 50 different educational seminars and workshops offered, education was the main focus on Monday afternoon and all day 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. Thursday, June 28th highlights included a Champagne Breakfast with the Industry Leaders, sponsored by the USBC, where bowling writers and others conducted a Q & A with various bowling industry leaders. The pinnacle of IBE 2007 was Thursday night's Club Xpo, featuring Karaoke Finals winner Mia Dorr and headline entertainer LeAnn Rimes. QubicaAMF Worldwide with support from ASCAP, BMI and SESAC sponsored the Thursday night event. Fundraisers were plentiful during Bowl Expo with The Bowling Foundation's Golf Outing and the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame's Salute to Bowling Silent and Live Auction where MLB knuckle-ball pitcher Tom Candiotti was officially inducted into the IBMHOF's Celebrity Hall of Fame wing. Pledges and actual donations for the BPAC (BPAA's Political Action Committee) were once again received from attendees. International Bowl Expo thanks all of its sponsors and especially recognizes the 2007 Diamond Level Sponsors Pepsi-Cola, QubicaAMF, North Pointe Insurance Group, Brunswick, Sysco and Anheuser-Busch. International Bowl Expo 2008 returns to Orlando, Fla. and the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel June 22 - 27, 2008. Exhibits will be housed in Orlando's Orange County Convention Center on June 25th and 26th. International Bowl Expo is the premier industry event for owners and operators of bowling centers, billiard centers, and related pro shops worldwide.
2007 IBE Gallery