East coast convention a winner

By | November 7, 2011

The East Coast Bowling Centers Convention (ECBCC) proved once again to be the premier regional trade show in the bowling industry. The annual meeting of bowling centers owners, managers and industry professionals was held on Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk at Trump’s Taj Mahal October 10 – 12, 2011, and despite a weak economy, officials say attendance was up 5 percent and the trade show welcomed 28 new companies on the exhibit floor.

“Even in a soft economy that has affected all businesses, including bowling centers, it was very encouraging to see more proprietors at the convention this year as well as new exhibitors.” said ECBCC committee chair Jack Moran of Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua, N.Y. “There were also many positive comments about our educational sessions and the new topics added this year.”

Over 27 states were represented among the convention goers who participated in variety of workshops and seminars on topics such as raising customer service standards, selling to the corporate client, family entertainment in the bowling center, packaging your center to attract more customers, new league formats and the tools to market them, effectively using social media plus coaching clinics, ball manufacturer demonstrations and an idea exchange on everything that drives traffic into your center.

Keynote speaker Jim Snack brought his message, “The Magic of Teams: Working Together For The Fun Of It!” to the Monday luncheon, sponsored by Brunswick Bowling & Billiards who, along with Budweiser, sponsored the Monday evening welcome reception which featured entertainment from The Bowling Music Network.

Tuesday morning’s breakfast keynote message, sponsored by Kids Bowl Free, was presented by Bruce Davis whose topic was titled, “If They Love Us So Much, Why Don’t They Do It More Often?” QubicaAMF sponsored Tuesday’s luncheon keynote by Rich Benzer and Georganne Kizer who talked about taking your business off auto pilot. During the luncheon, the Metropolitan Bowling Writer’s honored Pro Bowler Carolyn Dorin-Ballard with the Bill Landgraf Award for Excellence. The scribes also honored Leeanne Barrette Hulsenberg and Ron Mohr as National Bowlers Bowers of the Year, and Kelly Kulick and Bill O’Neill, Metropolitan Bowlers of the Year. Ruth Bouie received a special service award for her years of service to local bowling.

At the Wednesday State of the Industry breakfast attendees heard industry updates from BPAA Executive Director Steve Johnson, USBC Executive Director Stu Upson and International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame President Keith Hamilton and past President Pat Ciniello.

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon were reserved for the trade show where attendees had a chance to visit with exhibitors, vendors and others in the industry to see and talk about the latest innovations in the bowling business. The highlight of the convention was a portable bowling lane donated by John LaSpina and Maple Family Centers, N.Y., which became a centerpiece of the trade show. The lane provided the first-ever Charity Challenge bowling match with PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke. Proceeds were divided equally between the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, Bowl for the Cure and Bowling to Veterans Link.

The convention ended Wednesday evening with a banquet and the “Party at the Taj” featuring Apollo Robbins – “The Gentleman Thief,” who literally stole the show.