CONTENTS
VOL 23.8
6 ISSUE AT HAND
24 COVER STORY
Bowl Expo Magic
We’re Baaaack! The PWBA Tour swings back into action with big numbers and big expectations.
By Scott Frager
By Jim Goodwin
8 SHORTS
18
29 BEYOND BOWLING
• Take a summer side trip to Colorado. • Dornberger receives John Davis Award. • Bugsy Kelly joins Brunswick Bowling. • Chanel gives a new flair to bowling.
• Put Ears on Your BEC • Big Time at PrimeTime • Interesting Interview: Rick Iceberg
Flooring Leagues The BPAA Way
14 INDUSTRY NEWS
With the new System of League Bowling, the BPAA has a plan to reinvigorate your leagues.
QubicaAMF Takes A Re-Rack 24
By Mark Miller
By Robert Sax
54 REMEMBER WHEN 1960s Yabba Dabba Doo!
18 RECAP
By Patty Heath
The Magic of Bowl Expo IBI takes a look back at this year’s memorable event.
43 Showcase 45 Datebook
By David Garber
49 Classifieds 29
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August 2015
frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER David Garber garber@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
CONTRIBUTORS David Garber Jim Goodwin Patty Heath George McAuliffe Mark Miller Robert Sax
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Fred Groh fredgroh@bowlingindustry.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks
FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)
46 OPERATIONS
4
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager
www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424
By Patty Heath
A realigned QubicaAMF looks forward to its new-found freedom.
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
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HOTLINE: 888-424-2695 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy of International Bowling Industry is sent free to every bowling center, independently owned pro shop and collegiate bowling center in the U.S., and every military bowling center and pro shop worldwide. Publisher reserves the right to provide free subscriptions to those individuals who meet publication qualifications. Additional subscriptions may be purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50 per year. Subscriptions for Canada and Mexico are $65 per year, all other foreign subscriptions are $80 per year. All foreign subscriptions should be paid in U.S. funds using International Money Orders. POSTMASTER: Please send new as well as old address to International Bowling Industry, 12655 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604 USA. If possible, please furnish address mailing label. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2015, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
THE ISSUE AT HAND
Bowl Expo Magic This year’s Expo marked my 21st consecutive event. As much of a feat as I may think that is, I am continually humbled by those bowling industry professionals who have 30, 40 or even close to 50 years of attending this gargantuan annual bowling trade show. I am also delighted to see and meet the many newbies who find their way to Expo. These Expo virgins may come from the ranks of bowling center staff, proprietors, suppliers, potential investors or other categories, but they all come with eyes wide open, ready to soak up all the knowledge and experience that they can manage during the weeklong event. While the event begins as early as Sunday for some folks, the true crescendo for many Expo devotees starts just prior to the opening of the trade show with the introduction of the Victor Lerner award presentation and the featured keynote speaker. In the past two decades, the BPAA has been able to secure some big “gets.” We’ve been spoiled with past presidents, presidential candidates, political pundits, sports legends and the like. And, while many of the keynote presenters have been memorable, none has been more magical than this year’s featured keynote speaker, Mr. Earvin “Magic” Johnson. From his smiling stride onto the grand stage, to the first joke about stages being for “short people,” Magic Johnson delivered his message from amongst us, the attendees, not to us. Magic connected with everyone by picking out a few lucky audience members and making them,
and their comments, a part of the keynote. While there were many magical moments, there was one moment that, hands down, tipped the scale. During the Q&A session (which many keynotes don’t even allow), Theresa Poddig, proprietor of Bowlium Lanes in Montclair, CA, asked Magic for some advice about keeping her son from giving up on the sport he loved: basketball. What Mr. Johnson did next would surprise the entire audience and make a memory for a lifetime for Theresa’s son. Magic put his mic down, asked Theresa to cue up her cell phone video, and began recording an impromptu personalized message about staying with the sport that they both love. “Don’t ever give up,” was his message! The audience was in sheer delight as Magic proceeded to share his insightful messages about business and understanding the minority markets. Each vignette was on target, thoughtful and thought provoking. Wow, what a special way to launch a special event! I can’t end this without taking a moment to thank the men and women, staff and volunteers, of the BPAA who plan, sweat and toil to put on this show for the industry. Anyone who has ever planned a meeting, wedding or other large special occasion knows that it is anything but easy to put on an event of this magnitude. Thank you one and all for a truly magical Bowl Expo 2015!
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com
4Your Bowler of the Month
Aileen Kauer
Our latest nonagenarian, 94-year-old Aileen Kauer, is 5 feet tall, 103 pounds, throws a 10-pound ball, has a 138 bowling average and a high game of 221. She bowls at Windsor Bowling Center in Windsor, CA. At 23, Aileen went to work for Brunswick Balke-Collender in San Francisco and that’s when she began bowling. However, it was in her late 50s or early 60s when she got serious about the sport. She now bowls twice a week, driving herself to the center. In an interview with James Lanaras, Windsor Town News correspondent, Aileen said, “I just enjoy life, and I want my life to be good.” In regard to bowling, she quipped, “It keeps my legs working.”
Do you have a special bowler at your center we can highlight? Email Patty at heath@bowlingindustry.com. 6
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GOODWILL CENTRAL
SHORTS Bowling for? Bowling for EVERYTHING. Another Bowling for Rhinos was held at Circle Bowl, Baton Rouge, LA. The American Association of Zoo Keepers raises funds to support three rhino sanctuaries in Indonesia, Sumatra and Kenya. The Brain Injury Alliance of Montana put together a “Fun! Raiser” called Bowling for Brain Strong. It was held at Westside Lanes in Billings, MT, with the purpose to spread awareness of the severity of traumatic brain injuries. Bowling for Bleeding Disorders was once again held at Paradise Island Bowl in Neville Township, PA. It was a marathon with 11 teams bowling for three hours. Over $17,000 was raised to benefit the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation. Bowling for Heroes was held at Brooklyn Park Brunswick Zone XL in Minneapolis, MN. The proceeds from the fundraiser went to Homes for Heroes Foundation, which provides financial assistance or housing resources to community heroes who were wounded in the line of duty. Big Al’s location in Beaverton, OR, teamed up with Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, to host the second annual Bowling with Heart Bowl-a-Thon. Forty-two bowling teams competed for prizes, generated donations of 220 toys, and raised funds amounting to $42,315. President and CEO Daniel Kirkwood said, “We couldn’t have pulled this off without the broad support of our local community and business partners.” On a personal note, Kirkwood knows first-hand the importance of this facility. His two-year-old daughter was born with a congenital heart defect that was remedied at the hospital. What is your center doing? Email Patty Heath at heath@bowlingindustry.com.
BOWL-A-THON HELD FOR STATEN ISLAND VET Sgt. Bryan Dilberian is a Staten Island native. On July 1, 2011, while on duty in Afghanistan, he lost both of his legs below the knee and his left arm below the elbow in an IED explosion. In support of the rehabilitation Dilberian has been going through, the New York Jets and 8
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PEOPLEWATCHING Brunswick Bowling announced its latest hire, Bugsy Kelly, as sales specialist for aftermarket products. Covering centers throughout the U.S., Kelly will support sales of lane machines and conditioners, pinsetter parts, bowling pins, rental shoes and house balls. Having worked previously with Ebonite International Bugsy Kelly and Columbia 300 Industries, Kelly said, “I’m looking forward to bringing my industry experience and love of the sport of bowling to my new position at Brunswick.” Ron Addison, director of marketing and sales— aftermarket products, added, “We’re happy to welcome Bugsy to the Brunswick team, helping us expand our service to bowling center customers around the world.” In a surprise announcement made at Bowl Expo, Kevin Dornberger, president of World Bowling, was named the 2015 recipient of Kegel’s John Davis Award, presented to someone who has shown great commitment to advancing the sport of bowling. Dornberger has spent more than 50 years in the industry, as a player, coach, and center owner. His leadership roles have included president of USA Bowling, general counsel of USBC, director of Team Kevin Dornberger USA, president of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs, and director of FIQ American Zone. Dornberger also heads the World Bowling Tour and is primary in lobbying for bowling to be included in the 2020 Olympics.
the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation are building him a new smart-home. To support and raise funds for this project, the Appleseed Group, a brokerage company, held a bowl-athon benefit for him at Showplace Bowling Center in Travis, NY, on Staten Island.
SHORTS
Media
WATCH
THE GOONIES 30TH ANNIVERSARY AT LOWER COLUMBIA BOWL It has been 30 years since The Goonies hit the big screen. Reaching cult status, fans of the movie have identified the center where Goonie Chunk watched the sinister Fratellis flee from the county jail, now the Oregon Film Museum, and embarked on a high-speed chase through Astoria, OR. Lower Columbia Bowl was that spot, called Chunk’s Bowling Alley by avid followers. In celebration of the 30th anniversary, the center hosted 1980s-themed cosmic bowling. Casey Gray, manager of the center, said that on the 25th anniversary, over 3,000 people visited. Knowing the big interest visitors have in looking through the same window as Chunk and re-enacting that moment, six years ago the center put a guest book by the window for fans to sign along with a world map so they can mark where they live. All 50 states and various countries around the world are marked. With the anniversary, Gray said, “We will need a case of glass cleaner. Everyone will put their hands on it [window].”
PERFUME COMMERCIAL A LA BOWLING French fashion house Chanel has added a new perfume to its collection, Chance Eau Vive. To launch this new scent, featuring grapefruit, jasmine and white musk, commercial art legend and advertising and film director Jean-Paul Goude has introduced a very unique commercial. The 30-second spot features models wearing matching Chanel outfits, of course. One of the beauties rolls an oversized bottle of Chance Eau Vive down the lane, where it knocks over three more bottles of Chance perfume. It is beautifully styled, light and breezy, and can be viewed at www.bowlingindustry.com and click on videos. Once you have viewed the commercial, be sure to watch the making of the film, a four-minute overview.
BOWLING:
THE PERFECT FIRST DATE
A summer romance? Want it to be special? Why not try bowling as a first date! The Date Report website teamed up with Bowlmor to create an easy guide to a successful night out. In brief, bowling is an activity which will by-pass that need for a perfect outfit, plus you have an activity breaking up your banter and taking the pressure off of conjuring that clever conversation. What better way to find out how your new interest really ticks? You don’t have to be a jock or an athlete to have fun trying to beat each other’s score. It’s fun, and a good strike dance can add to your aura. Healthy competition with yummy food brought to the lanes can keep the night rolling. All in all, it is the perfect first date.
SAVE DATE -THE-
REGIONAL TRADE CONVENTIONS
NOT TO MISS
OCTOBER IS THE MONTH! 5–7 EAST COAST BOWLING CENTERS CONVENTION Golden Nugget, Atlantic City
SUMMER FUN FOR FREE In San Diego, CA, CBS 8 news highlighted Kearny Mesa Bowl’s Kids Bowl Free program, a parent’s dream alternative for finding something constructive for their kids to do this summer vacation. This is a nationwide program offering two free games of bowling every day through Labor Day (to over 1,200 bowling centers across the country.) Kearny Mesa’s youth bowling director, Brian Hudepohl, said free bowling introduces an old sport to a new generation. For information go to the Kids Bowl Free website.
18-20 WEST COAST BOWLING CONVENTION Silver Legacy, Reno
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SHORTS
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS 34-lane Circle Lanes in Ledgewood, NJ, is doing a little redecorating. Started at the end of May, lanes 1-6 have been removed to establish a five-lane VIP area which will have its own mini bars and restroom. At the other end of the house, lanes 27 through 34 will be completely removed and transformed into a laser tag and arcade redemption center. When finished, after Labor Day, it will be like a brand new center.
The Lower East Side of Manhattan is going back to the future with a 17,000-square-foot, retro-style bowling center, Splitsville Luxury Lanes. Essex Crossing, a huge new mixed-use development project near Williamsburg Bridge, will house 10 lanes, which will also include live music and restaurants on the ground floor. The rest of the building, developed by Delancey Street Associates, is a 6-acre project comprising 1,000 residential units and 850,000 square-feet of commercial space.
Suburban Lanes, Decatur, GA, has closed but not for long. Owners of Twain’s Brewpub & Billiards, Ethan and Uri Wurtzel and GM Ben Horgan, have acquired the business. The announcement, posted on Twain’s website, says, “The bowling alley has been a longstanding fixture in Decatur, and we look forward to carrying it into the next phase of its history as a funky bowling center.” The remodeled center, to be called the Comet Pub & Lanes, will open in the fall.
Enrique Guerrero, former executive chef, currently operates Bang Bite Filling Station, a popular Santa Fe food truck. He now has his sights set on a less mobile project. He plans to open a restaurant, 500 Market, and, on the second floor, Strike Bowl and Brew, an 8-lane center with three bars and two kitchens. No definite date has been set for the opening, but this summer is the plan.
The Rim in San Antonio now has Bowl & Barrel, a 15-lane boutique bowling center with a European beer hall style, including four rotation Texas beers. This is the second Bowl & Barrel venue for restaurant group FreeRange Concepts, the first being in Dallas. 10
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SUMMER SIDE TRIP:
COLORADO SPRINGS BOWLING MUSEUM
Photo credit: Christian Murdock/Gazette.com
Colorado Springs, CO, has been a bowling city since 1873, when Johnnies Ten-Pin Bowling Alley opened. 1902 saw the addition of lanes in Palmer’s Antlers Hotel and the New Brunswick Billiard Parlor and Bowling Alleys. Over the years, others came and went. Now, Page Dew and Robert Knight, of the Pikes Peak Bowling Association, are working to keep the history alive. Each, in his own way, is archiving. Dew is compiling an exhaustive online history at the association’s website, www.pikespeakusbc.com. It includes old photos and decades of newspaper clippings, tournament results and more. Knight’s efforts are more tangible – Knight’s Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in Old Colorado City, which started in 1981. Bill Vogrin, author of ‘Side Streets’ blog for Gazette.com, wrote that Knight “has amassed thousands of pieces of bowling memorabilia, ranging from large scoring tables, ball racks and polishing machines to cloth patches, belt buckles, match books, lighters and much more.” Included in his little shop of bowling are bronze bear figurines dating to the 1880s and thousands of ceramic, wood and plastic figurines from 45 countries. Weaving in and out of aisles and display cabinets, one can see a medal awarded by the ABC to retired major league baseball pitcher Frank Brill after he won the first national championship in Chicago in 1901. More eye candy, Knight has historic wooden bowling balls and pins of every size, shape and brand as far back as the 1790s. “So much bowling history was being destroyed, and I wanted to save it,” Knight said. Admission is free but only by appointment. So, how about a side trip? Bucket list entry? If you love bowling, it is worth planning.
INDUSTRY NEWS
k F c a M R A e a c R i b Qu akes A T
d m. r o a d w e for nd fre s k loo -fou F w e M things a little bit,” says n A a s t c i i Govoni. “In the last five years, we ub to
Q d e n alig e r A
By Robert Sax he owners of the “new” QubicaAMF don’t believe in the maxim “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If they did, they wouldn’t have changed the structure of the innovative upstart that in less than twelve years had installed its equipment on more than 35,000 lanes in more than 50 countries. In December 2014, the original partners of Qubica acquired 100% of the ownership of QubicaAMF Worldwide. After nearly a decade as a partnership between Qubica and AMF, the world’s largest manufacturer of bowling products (ranked by sales) will once again operate as a private company. Judging by the buzz of activity at the QubicaAMF booth at Bowl Expo 2015, the ownership change hasn’t scared away any customers. That’s where IBI sat down to talk with Emanuele Govoni, the company’s CEO, and Pat Ciniello, the chairman of the board, who said the realigned company will stay focused on bowling while picking up the pace of innovation. “We just want to continue on our path, but now we're in charge of our own destiny, and we are able to accelerate
T
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developed the best products in the industry. That’s our legacy and what we feel is important for proprietors. Now that we're in charge of the company, we certainly want to continue on this path of innovation, taking our speed and our business to the next level.” Ciniello acknowledged that it wasn’t always possible to move as fast as he and Govoni wanted under the prior 50/50 joint venture. “It's difficult; all parties may not be aligned. So, now that we're aligned, it's very simple for us, the original seven people, to call a board meeting or get on the phone and be able to react quickly,” Ciniello says. There are plenty of projects on the back burner that can now move forward. “We see a new era for the industry, driven by new entertainment and technology and innovation,” says Govoni. Even if the industry is shrinking, we feel it's the right space for us to come up with great concepts and come up with things that are very compelling for consumers, which are going to make proprietors more successful; [that’s] what we have done for the last 20 years.” QubicaAMF says it is now essential to customize the bowling experience to suit diverse types of customers. “Bowling is a great game and it's got great fundamentals, but it's not necessarily perfect for every customer segment,” says Govoni. “The idea is to totally understand each customer segment and to change a few things in the bowling experience... so that every segment is thoroughly fulfilled and thoroughly satisfied.” QubicaAMF’s BES-X bowler entertainment system represents the company’s most technologically-sophisticated and ambitious
INDUSTRY NEWS bet on segmentation so far. It offers a variety of customizable on-screen games and social media features designed to appeal to such key groups as families, teens and young adults, casual competitors, corporate and group events and birthday parties. “We came up with some totally new categories and new ways of playing, like Mad Games and YouToons, and all of the things are working,” says Govoni. “Proprietors are enjoying double-digit growth after installing the system, so we are going to capitalize on this momentum and make sure we continue to [focus] on lane entertainment features to attract more consumers and to drive revenue for proprietors.” Ciniello sees great opportunity in FECs, which will have to add additional entertainment options to remain competitive. “We are very aggressively going after that business,” says Ciniello, “because we feel that what works for “big bowling” is a perfect fit for family entertainment centers.” He recommends that FEC proprietors add activities that meet the growing customer preference for socialization over basic bowling. The trend to socialization is the idea behind “Suite Spot,” a combination of mini-bowling and modular furniture. It frees the small game from the arcade and creates a more appealing social space for customers to relax, bowl longer and order more food and beverages. Ciniello remains bullish on bowling and is currently developing two bowling entertainment centers including a 48,000-square-foot FEC in South Florida. He has studied the demographics there and says the expectations of bowling patrons are much different from those of 20 to 25 years ago. “They want that Disney-type of experience with customer service, so that's what we preach. We built our company on customer service... you have to reinvest and train your employees to give that outstanding customer service.” Accordingly, they will offer more training options to its customers. In addition to initial training sessions where company trainers teach center employees how to use the systems, there are also marketing materials, webinars and consulting services available. QubicaAMF also has the coveted 20- 35-year-old millennials in its marketing sights. More than 80 million strong, these Americans born in the 1980s and 1990s may be the largest and most influential generation of consumers yet. “It's an underdeveloped market segment and we are creating customers for the future,” says Govoni. “It's really important for bowling not to lose an entire generation, so it's important for manufacturers and for proprietors to focus specifically on going after that crucial demographic rather proactively because we need it.” Ciniello believes the millennials will take to such innovations as MadGames, because they allow for new types of scoring, shorter games and more relaxed social play. “The millennials want a quick entertainment, 16
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Pat Ciniello
Emanuele Govoni
an hour and a half [to] two hours, and we're a perfect venue,” says Ciniello. “Our company is really geared toward that same type of thing.” Govoni sees the American and international markets as influenced by the same trends, with the difference being a slower European economy. “Things are bright in the USA. Europe is a bit [behind] because the crisis in Europe started later, and we feel we probably need one or two more years to see a better economic situation with Europe,” he says. “Things are not bad, but people are still a bit in ‘wait and see’ mode.” In the next five years, QubicaAMF predicts that more traditional bowling centers will move toward the family entertainment model. They will add more attractions and maybe reduce the number of lanes as they adapt to changing consumer tastes. “Bowling is a great sport... which has lasted all of these decades [and it’s] recession-proof,” says Ciniello. “I think those that want to stay in the business will change and will adapt.” With its technological wizardry and creativity, will a now more nimble QubicaAMF expand into other categories? Govoni says no. “We feel there are great opportunities for us in the bowling and family entertainment industry. We are going to remain very, very focused on bowling for quite a bit of time, because we feel focus is important,” he says. “We will work hard to contribute to the creation of a revitalized and re-energized industry where fun, innovation and transformation will spur new economic growth for our customers around the world.” ❖
Robert Sax is a writer and PR consultant in Los Angeles. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, the home of five-pin bowling.
Visit Our New Website
WBPIprogram.com
BOWL EXPO Photos by Hero Noda
Jackie Brow n BPAA are h (left) and Tangela Cha aving a bla nce of st at Expo.
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BOWL EXPO
Kulick and rd (left), Kelly la al -B rin Do n Caroly the PWBA with berg promote en ls Hu ne an Le wide smiles.
Steltronic prom otes its Vision Focus scoring system .
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house! rocks the n o g a w ed REO Spe
COVER STORY
2015 PWBA winner Elysia Current
We’re
!
Baaaack
The PWBA Tour swings back into action with big numbers and big expectations.
24
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COVER STORY By Jim Goodwin
N
othing like a sellout for a new business. After months of hard work and meticulous planning, the first event of the new Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour in Sacramento sold out its 64 player spots almost a month in advance. Adjustments were made and the field was expanded to 80. The additional 16 spots sold out the first day they were announced. According to BPAA executive director Frank DeSocio, the event held July 9-11 at Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes in Sacramento, CA, went off with 30 more players on a waiting list to enter. The BPAA and the USBC were responsible for the re-launch of the new women’s tour. Storm Bowling Products, the entitled sponsor of the kick-off event, partnered with Cook’s Fireside Lanes to double the minimum added money in the first event from $10,000 to $20,000. This boosted the prize fund, and made all of the cash spots better than normal. First place went from $10,000 to $12,000. Last cash was increased from $1200 to $1500. “Wow! Can you believe it?!” said a pleasantly surprised and pleased DeSocio, talking about the turnout for the first event. De Socio continues, “We knew that we worked very hard to get this new tour going, but the biggest thing that needed to happen to make it a success was participation from the players. It is a great tribute to them and our USBC and BPAA staff, that they are supporting our efforts. And a special thanks to Steve Cook and Jack Thomas and their staff. We picked the perfect place to start and we couldn’t be happier. Now, we just have to keep the momentum going.” Cook was also very excited to see the big turnout and the great start for the new tour. “I thought all along that this would happen,” said Cook. “When they told me early on they were shooting for 48
players, I thought that was a reasonable goal, but I also knew that the women were hungry for a new tour and I thought that they would get a lot more players. I wish we could have added a squad to accommodate everyone, but I understood that we just needed to get this first one done; and the event ran very smoothly. Kudos to everybody involved.” In hindsight, the new tour could not have picked a better place to start than a bowling center owned by a former touring professional bowler. Steve Cook won 15 PBA titles and three major crowns during his tour days from 1979 – 1992. “As a pro bowler myself, I know what the players expect, and what it takes to turn an ordinary
Steve and Candi Cook hosted the relaunch of the PWBA Tour at Fireside Lanes in Sacramento, CA.
tournament into something very special. My general manager Jack Thomas and his staff worked very hard to get ready for the event, and they worked hand-in-hand with the PWBA staff to make sure everything went well.” “Jason [Thomas] and Damon [Sorocco] were on top of it every minute,” said [Jack]Thomas.”They took care of their own end, and were very flexible with our
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COVER STORY
Steve Cook accepts the proprietor's host gift from Myron Myers of MillerCoors.
staff in getting done what needed to be done.” Jason Thomas is the PWBA director of operations and Damon Sorocco is the PWBA tournament director. Jack Thomas goes on to say, “And I can’t say enough how great the players were.
Barb Chrisman congratulates Kristina Wendell after an exciting week of bowling competition.
We were two hours late with the pro-am because we had to adjust the schedule to bring in more players, and there was not one complaint from a player or a pro-am bowler. It was just outstanding, and a classy event.”
Cook trusted Thomas to handle the event details, so he did not have to take too much time away from his very busy bowling product distributor business, Steve Cook Bowling Supply. “I’ve been here for 15 years, and I owned my own center for many years before that, so we have a very good understanding and relationship,” said Thomas. According to Thomas, the PWBA pros went the extra mile with more than 100 pro-am bowlers, and they were especially attentive to dozens of the center’s 120 youth bowlers. All pro-am bowlers got a new bowling pin for autographs, so the players were pretty busy all weekend with their sharpies in one hand and a bowling ball in the other. Media coverage of the historic event was also good. Thomas reported that two local TV stations did remote broadcasts from the center, and there was some coverage in the Sacramento Bee newspaper. True bowling fans, of course, were treated to wall-to-wall coverage of the event via the PBA’s Xtra Frame web broadcast. Xtra Frame is part of the partnership package between the PBA and the new PWBA; all nine regular events will be covered, and the season ending PWBA Championships will get coverage of the finals on the ESPN Sports Network. The fact that a few star players had to miss the tournament because of a conflict with the Tokyo World Bowling Tour event didn’t seem to hurt the field or the number of spectators who jammed the 32-lane center to watch PWBA’s first standard tournament since July 2003. Champions Kelly Kulick and Liz Johnson were absent, along with international star Clara Guererro and Team USA standout Danielle McEwen, all invited to the WBT event. Still, even with a few missing, the field contained a diverse mix of top amateurs and dozens of players who recently turned professional and are destined to become the future stars of women’s bowling. International players included Juliana Franco from Columbia, Stephanie Martins from Brazil, Lilia Robles from Mexico and Felicia Wong from Canada. Only about 25 of the 80 players hailed from California, which bodes well for the tour’s future attendance. In fact, when word got around that 30 players got shut out of the first tournament, several others began filling up fast, and several, if not all of them, are expected to be full as well. Fans expecting to see some of the stars from the former tour were not disappointed, but they also learned quickly that the younger players of today were not intimidated by the household names of women’s bowling. Hall of famers Anne Marie Duggan, Leanne Hulsenberg, Tish Johnson, Wendy
Storm’s Generous Support Helps Jump Start New PWBA Tour “There is just no way we cannot be a part of the success of this new tour!” Those are the words of Barb Chrisman, talking about her company’s enthusiastic sponsorship of the PWBA’s first event in Sacramento. Storm and Steve Cook’s Bowling Supply got together to double the required added money and making sure that the new tour kicked off in style. “It has been so long since women coming out of college and Junior Gold have had this kind of opportunity in bowling, and we are going to do everything we can to help,” said Chrisman. “When Leanne Hulsenberg, who is on our staff, asked us to get 26
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involved, there was no hesitation. And I can’t say enough about what a great job Steve Cook and his staff and everyone else did with the event. It was just outstanding, and we are very proud to be associated with it.” Storm Bowling Products has a long history of supporting women’s events. They are also the title sponsor of Jeanette Robinson’s annual Golden Ladies Classic in Las Vegas, and the ‘LUCI’ Mixed Doubles Tournament, that is now an official PBA / PWBA event in Houston.
Barb Chrisman, owner of Storm Products.
COVER STORY Macpherson, and Robin Romeo competed in the event, but Duggan was the only one to make it to the top 16 match play round. She finished ninth. The winner was one of the new PWBA pros, Elysia Current from Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Current defeated Kristina Wendell of Kingston, NY, 246 – 194 for the title in the four player stepladder finals, televised via BowlTV on Xtra Frame. Missy Parkin of Laguna Hills, CA, and Rocio Restrepo of Louisville, OH, finished third and fourth. Xtra Frame subscribers will be able to watch every event on the new PWBA Tour thanks to a partnership agreement between PWBA and PBA. The inaugural PWBA season will conclude with a major event featuring champions from each standard event plus the top six from the players point list. The end-of-year PWBA Tour Championship will be contested at the International Training Center in Arlington, TX, sponsored by GoBowling.com. Current, who is now 30 years old and the head coach of the Delaware State University women’s bowling team, talked about the long road that led her to the title Ashly Galante and her group of pro-am bowlers. in the press conference following the Sacramento event. She described how she had thoughts of being a pro bowler, but had to put that goal on hold for a dozen years when the former tour ceased operation the year she graduated from high school. Instead, she concentrated on college bowling. She started bowling collegiately at Fairleigh Dickinson University and later transferred to powerhouse Wichita State, where her team captured the 2007 National Championship and she won the ITC Singles title. She got attention as a top player when she finished second to champion Missy Parkin in the 2011 USBC Queens Tournament. “To come out here and win on the new PWBA Tour is a dream come true,” she said after the victory. It was also a dream shared by many other women who never thought they would have to wait so long to have the chance they now have. The good news for a player like Current is that those who stuck with bowling now have a great deal of life experience that the generations before did not have when they jumped onto the tour directly out of high school or college.
A sound business strategy
It goes without saying that careful thought and planning went into launching the new women’s tour. Chad Murphy and his USBC staff, Frank DeSocio and his BPAA staff are ‘all in,’ and the initial success now seen is a result of a good solid plan laid out months ago and reviewed by both organizations’ boards. No doubt adjustments will be made in year two and three of the guaranteed commitment. However, at this point, it looks like future years are a given. One of the key components was the strategic partnership deal with the PBA. The BPAA and the USBC recognized the need for not only the assistance of the PBA, but also for active participation with skin in the game.
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Shannon Pluhowsky gives encouragement to the junior pro-am bowlers.
And the primary beneficiaries of this strategic partnership will be the players. It includes seven new ‘women only’ regional events, the Xtra Frame web TV coverage, a Player Services truck on site at every PWBA national event, and the creation of a new PWBA Regional Challenge event as part of the PBA World Series of Bowling. Another strategy that is already reaping rewards is scheduling events in some smaller markets where media attention is almost guaranteed. It is no accident that the tour is visiting places like Sacramento, Lubbock, Wichita, Topeka, Lincoln, and Welch in its inaugural season.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
PWBA host Steve Cook remembers the glory days of the PBA Tour when fans lined up to see the pros, and were wall-to-wall to watch the new women pros. They [the fans] were not disappointed. “I’ve never seen our center so crowded,” he said. “It dropped off a little after we cut to the top 16, but not much. We wanted to have this event because I have always believed that the women deserve a tour as much as the men. I was one of the first to sign up with the new tour, and it is great that we were able to host the first event and be a part of history. I hope we can do it all again next year.” History has a way of repeating itself. And based on this very successful launch, it looks like the new PWBA Tour is headed for making some new and very exciting history for bowling. ❖ Jim Goodwin is the founder and president of the Bowling News Network and a former president and life member of the International Bowling Media Association.
INTRO
According to George hile planning this edition with David Garber, I told him I was going to comment on this being our second anniversary edition of Beyond Bowling. Turns out it’s the third anniversary- time is really flying by! A lot has happened during that time. In the first edition we were very much in the mode of evangelizing the concept of the Bowling Entertainment Center (BEC), describing a few examples, and outlining the business model. Since then development has accelerated, key performance factors refined, and the model shown to be a proven winner. One thing is for sure: the model will continue to evolve and to change. As new players continue to arrive on the scene, innovation will happen and it will be exciting to see what the next two or three years will bring. We will continue to work hard to ensure that Beyond Bowling provides you with a front row seat. Did I say innovation? Mark Miller’s feature article in this edition provides a tour of PrimeTime Abilene, which is a BEC with a new twist: it incorporates soccer and flag football into the attraction’s mix along with bowling and more traditional FEC activities. This may be the start of a new trend. Indoor sports parks have big buildings, great traffic counts of young adults and families, and a need for balancing seasonality with additional attractions. As with more mainstream BECs, food and beverage will play a key role. To cap off this edition, I sat down for a few minutes with Rick Iceberg, founder of CJ Barrymore’s outside of Detroit and a co-founder of the F2FEC conference. CJ Barrymore’s is a story in how to innovate and transform a business. In my 36year view of what succeeds with staying power, those two qualities are at the top of the list.
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George McAuliffe
President, Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors
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s summer starts to wrap up, I want to use my column to reflect on five positive things that have happened in this 2015 summer season. First would be the purchase of Brunswick products by BlueArc. This was an important industry stabilizer. Just like in the stock market, investors do not like uncertainty, and the confirmed sale and business-as-usual attitude is a sign of confidence in our industry. Next, Bowl Expo in Las Vegas was a great show! The show’s energy helps fuel positive changes in the everexpanding world of bowing. Magic Johnson, the keynote speaker, amazed and entertained with a straightforward message of investing in one’s community. Third is the successful start-up of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association. The PWBA has sold out five events so far and has great momentum going forward. As an athlete myself, I feel it is vital for bowling to have a professional women’s tour for which young women athletes can strive. Fourth, the World Bowling Tour event, sponsored by Round 1, just finished in Tokyo, Japan. This is an amazing story: an FEC chain is now involved in the world tour, giving approximately $1 million to help the progress of bowling becoming an Olympic sport-- hopefully in Tokyo 2020. Last and locked in with Round 1’s efforts, bowling has been placed on the short list for possible sports to be included into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This is incredible news as bowling has been trying to get into the Olympics for more then 40 years. Sports that are included see a large increase in participation from organized play to just regular open play. There will be more details from the Tokyo Olympic committee in September.
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To all our readers, enjoy this installment of Beyond Bowling.
Enjoy!
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From David’s Desk
August 2015
David Garber
Associate Publisher International Bowling Industry
VIEWPOINT
Put Ears on Your BEC The bowling entertainment models are entering a new growth phase, and with that comes the opportunity to sweeten the guest experience.
By George McAuliffe t wasn’t that long ago that the stories started: some of the brethren are doing crazy things. Arcades, laser tag, rides in bowling centers. Some even removed lanes to make way for them. Sure, business was tough in a lot of traditional bowling centers and some leagues were in decline. But we could discount and market our way back without such radical change. Couldn’t we? Well, no. Most centers can’t fix the fundamental disruption to the traditional bowling business model. Major changes are needed. They are coming in a variety of forms. In the case of the BEC, the pattern of industry development is similar to that of other industries. Take a look at the Rogers Adoption/ Innovation Curve shown here in Figure 1. Based on my personal experience, the Innovator phase began in the late 90s with the earliest steps, then that phase accelerated in the second half of the 2000s as the bugs were worked out of the model and the BEC became a phenomenon.
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Figure 1
Redemption Plus recently signed the contract on our 100th bowling center client. That’s 100 bowling centers we’ve helped add a 21st century redemption game room, many with other FEC attractions. Total U.S. bowling center numbers are approximately 4,000, and 32
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Brunswick recently estimated that about 400-500 have adopted the BEC model. Rogers would say, therefore, we are transitioning from Early Adopters to Early Majority. This bodes well for continued growth. I do a fair amount of speaking on adding FEC attractions and operating redemption game rooms in BECs. In the last year, I’ve shifted the content from less “how to” to more “guest experience,” reflecting the growing number of experienced BEC proprietors in the audience. One of the areas where we as an industry have the most room for growth is in the area of guest experience; I call it “putting ears on the pancakes.” That phrase comes from a personal experience. One recent Saturday morning, our home phone rang and suddenly my wife and I, our son, daughter-in-law and grandson were off to meet our niece, nephew and their three kids for breakfast. They picked the diner. It seemed a little out of the way but, grateful for the invitation, off we went. Once assembled, we totaled two grandparents, four parents, and four kids aged 2-8 years. Upon our arrival we got a cheerful greeting from the staff who hustled to put together our table of ten. We were quickly drinking coffee, the kids got their juice, crayons and coloring placemats. Nice place, I thought, as I looked around. I understood why my niece liked the place but still, we passed five other places on the way to this one. Then the pancakes came. Take a look at the picture on page 34. When these pancakes hit the table the dopamine level shot up in the brains of the kids and adults alike. Smiles and wows were shared all around. We were happy and having fun to begin with but the whole fun factor for our table shot up noticeably. And it didn’t cost the diner owner a nickel. I’ve always thought restaurants were a good model for family entertainment centers. What makes a great restaurant? It’s the ability of management to weave atmosphere, product (food) quality and service into a terrific guest experience. Restaurants have to motivate people to leave home, and so do FECs. Just as people can cook their own meals, they can stay home to entertain themselves. Most restaurants are community based; people are only going to drive so far, so often, for the experience. It’s the same for FECs; both need to attract the same patrons on a regular basis to survive and prosper.
We all talk about guest experience. Most often it is discussed in a kind of checklistcheckoff type fashion: get the food out, deliver the bowling shoes, make sure the games work. I visit between 30-50 FECs in a year and have for many years. I’m sorry to report that it is only in a minority of facilities where the “pancakes have ears.” It often amazes me how many owners gladly write multiple $10,000 checks for new games but don’t even think about investing, really investing, in the guest experience. A little thought will yield a ton of potential ‘ears’ for your FEC’s ‘pancakes.’ One example: how many of us leverage games into the guest experience beyond just being there? For example, in March much of the nation is focused on March Madness, NCAA basketball. Millions of dollars are pumped into the publicity machine for this event. Every office has a pool; it’s a tremendous cultural social event. Every game room in America has basketball games in their arcade but is there a tournament going on? The building is built, the games have been purchased, our staff is already on the clock and the customers are already in the door. All we need now is a little creativity to come up with the ideas to take our guest experience to the next level. When you consider the concept, the ideas naturally flow. The redemption counter or room is a great area of potential. Think
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about how retailers do that every day, creating excitement around holidays, seasons, new item introductions and sales. I’m sure an hour with your staff will yield a lot more. And the payoff is real. If your FEC depends on people in your community for the strength of your sales, then repeat visitation is the name of the game. I can assure you that our family will continue to drive past five other diners to get to ‘ours’ for breakfast, and all because, after building and equipping a nice place, the owner hired good people, set the tone, and gave them the freedom to put ears on the pancakes. ❖ George McAuliffe is a 35-year family entertainment center operator and president of Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors by Redemption Plus, an industry consulting firm (www.grouppinnacle.com). George has operated entertainment centers from 2,000 to 150,000 square feet, including redemption and merchandise games, since 1983 and has assisted numerous bowling center owners to develop their FEC side. He is a regular speaker at industry conventions worldwide, and writes for RePlay magazine. He can be reached at 913-563-4370 or email gmcauliffe@ redemptionplus.com.
FEATURE
Big Time at PrimeTime PrimeTime combines a traditional FEC with an indoor sports facility. Now that’s thinking outside the box!
By Mark Miller oodness knows there are a growing number of family entertainment centers popping up nationwide that feature some combination of bowling’s fun side with enough other reactional activities to satisfy just about everyone. And there have been plenty of facilities built in recent years to meet the growing American demand for year-round soccer. Makes you wonder if anyone has thought to mix these iconic sports under one roof? Turns out some forward-thinking people in Abilene, Texas, a town located about two hours southwest of Fort Worth, have done exactly that. While PrimeTime Abilene with bowling and the usual FEC amenities opened in 2007, its adjacent 35,000 square foot PrimeTime Indoor Sports facility
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with two indoor fields for soccer and flag football launched last October. And its early success already can be measured at the cash register.
“Our food and beverage sales are up 42 percent since we opened the sports facility,” said general manager Scottie Squyres. “It gives us a jolt Mondays through Thursdays. We had to get bodies in on the weeknights, and we get 100 to 150 fans in the stands every night.” Owner Randy Voorhees, an Abilene resident with a computer software background, originally opened the facility as a way to give back to the community. It features 24 bowling lanes, 16 of the traditional variety, and
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the other eight in a boutique setting called Backstage Pass. Since its inception, PrimeTime Abilene also has featured bumper cars, a two-story laser tag arena, a large redemption game room, NASCAR simulators, batting cages, go-karts and mini-golf. Food and beverage have been provided at the PrimeTime Café. But it’s the new sports arena that’s really been attracting attention. “It’s the only indoor soccer facility in the area,” Squyres said. “There’re about 117,000 people in Abilene but 200,000 to 250,000 in the region. We have teams from smaller communities drive from an hour away to play.” PrimeTime Sports also includes a large youth play area that features dodgeball and ultimate Frisbee. It’s perfect for sport-oriented birthday parties and caters to leagues made up of all men, all women, co-ed and youth. It also serves as home for the Abilene United Football Club program. Though certified by the USBC, PrimeTime Abilene is not much of a league bowling center. In fact, the six leagues it floored in 2014-15 will combine into one Monday night league this fall. More competitive bowlers can take part on the other side of town in the older, more traditional 20-lane Abilene Bowling Center, or at the 16-lane center at the nearby Dyess Air Force Base. “We do things they aren’t able to do,” said Squyres, whose facility is part of the BPAA’s FEC 20 group. “It’s a lot easier to get flag football and soccer players than bowling leagues. We’re trying to convert them to bowling teams. We’re trying to keep in contact with them since they’re sports people who like to try different sports. They’re competitive people
so maybe they will try another sport.” Serving as Squyres’ right hand in the new sports venture is Wey Scoggins, the complex’s promotional/group events coordinator who has been with PrimeTime Abilene since it opened. Other key staff members are Jacey Withrow, BeastMode coordinator and coach; and Reed Ambrose, soccer and Lil’ Kicker program director. Together they helped sign up about 50 adult soccer/football teams in the first year, nearly all of which compete in the ongoing eight-week leagues. A smaller number of youth teams competed only during the school year. “Adults have been our bread and butter because they compete year-round,” said Scoggin, who hopes to find ways to expand on youth participation. “We expected the youth to do more and the adults to do less, but it’s flipped.” With Scoggins coming from the world of retail and banking and Squyres having a food and beverage background, it’s not surprising competitive bowling isn’t top of mind with PrimeTime Abilene’s staff. “We would be willing to, but, we are not looking to expand the bowling leagues,” Scoggin said. “We don’t
necessarily cater very well to league bowlers. We see going to the movies and things like that being more of our competition than other bowling centers [or leagues].” With the success of the PrimeTime Indoor Sports facility, what’s next for PrimeTime Abilene? “We try to expand something every year. There’s no telling what we might do. There are several things on the table, from having half-a-dozen carnival rides outside to having a miniroller coaster, to a small water park. We definitely have plans to expand, but right now, nothing is concrete. They’re just ideas,” says Scroggins. With the early success of PrimeTime Indoor Sports, there’s certainly no need to move those ideas along faster. ❖
Mark Miller is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations specialist from Flower Mound, TX. He's the author of Bowling: America's Greatest Indoor Pastime available at Amazon.com or directly from him at markmywordstexas@gmail.com.
STRIKERS FAMILY SPORTSCENTER ROCK HILL, SC (40 LANES) We congratulate Greg Perkins on his purchase of this fine center and thank Dwight Mitchum and Howard Davis for trusting David Driscoll to handle the sale. We wish Greg, Dwight and Howard all the best.
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28200 Southfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48076 IBI
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INTERESTING INTERVIEW
By George McAuliffe
A Few Minutes with Rick Iceberg As the industry evolves, Rick Iceberg has learned to roll with the changes to stay on top of the game.
“Adding bowling has transformed us as a company.” Editor’s Note: Rick Iceberg is the owner of CJ Barrymore’s Entertainment in Clinton Township, MI, a 25 acre park, starting as a traditional FEC before adding bowling in 2008. Rick is also one of the“Three Amigos“ who founded the F2FEC Conference. F2FEC 2016 will be held in San Diego in February and is dedicated to elevating the business of bowling and family entertainment centers.
years didn’t mesh. When boutiques came in, we took another look, visiting boutique centers throughout the country. We learned that group sales was the key. Once we understood that and added in the positive effect on our wintertime business from open play, we were hooked.
4. How has bowling performed? How central is it today to the CJ Barrymore’s guest experience?
1. How did you get your start in the business?
Adding bowling has transformed us as a company. When we took our boutique tour, we realized we were just a tacky, old school FEC. As we developed the CJ Barrymore’s bowling entertainment model, we elevated our game on all of our attractions, inside and out.
We opened a driving range in 1974, mainly so we could hit golf balls. It was a mediocre business so we kept adding stuff out of necessity. We added batting cages, mini golf, gokarts, and just kept going.
5. What do you see as the key to the success of the model?
Rick Iceberg
2. What’s kept you in the business through the years? The fun. Interacting with my management team is a blast. They run the place which leaves me free to plan for the future. They do all the work; I take all the credit.
3. So CJ Barrymore’s started as a more traditional, non-bowling FEC. What led you to add bowling to the mix? We looked at bowling for over 20 years but it never penciled out. Bowling’s league orientation for most of those 40
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Our key was décor, followed by the new model of open play and group sales. Once we added flat screens and sophisticated furniture for bowling, we realized how outdated our bar was. We actually interrupted construction to upgrade existing areas and attractions. Since then, we’ve just kept upscaling.
6. Can you boil it down to the top three factors for today’s success? 1) Improved seasonality with open play, no leagues; 2) the décor; 3) a tie between a great team of management and staff and group sales.
7. What are the next phases for CJ Barrymore and your vision for the next five years? We will double our growth again. We want to maintain the great momentum we have now. Adding bowling was the driver of this momentum, and we carried that over to our bar and game room. We’re now focusing on modernizing the outdoor park. We’ll add new rides - we’ve bought a roller coaster, plus we will add more games, new banquet rooms, and zip lines. We plan to physically rework the grounds. Our philosophy is “one more spoke on the wheel,” meaning to add attractions that will expand on our customer base and market. The Three Amigos of F2FEC, left to right, George Smith, Ben Jones, and Rick Iceberg.
8. How do you handle the adult vs families customer segments? Are there conflicts? No, there are no conflicts. Once we started with bowling we now design exclusively for adults. We use leather, slate, tin, brick - all the stuff that’s timeless. If adults are comfortable everybody’s happy. The last thing you want to do is alienate an adult.
9. Any other wisdom you care to share for our readers? Our greatest asset at C.J. Barrymore’s is our management team, several of which have been with us for over 25 years. That consistency lets us deliver a guest experience that guests will return for. I’d also suggest that readers get out and visit the best places in the country. We did that and learned we’re not as good as we thought we were. Guys all over are willing to share information and help weigh the positives and negatives. Ben Jones, George Smith and I 42
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formed F2FEC for the same reasons. The conference brings together the best operators in the country to share ideas so we all make more money. Investing in learning what is going on outside your place is the best money you can spend.
George McAuliffe is a 35-year family entertainment center operator and president of Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors by Redemption Plus, an industry consulting firm (www.grouppinnacle.com). George has operated entertainment centers from 2,000 to 150,000 square feet, including redemption and merchandise games, since 1983 and has assisted numerous bowling center owners to develop their FEC side. He is a regular speaker at industry conventions worldwide, and writes for RePlay magazine. He can be reached at 913-563-4370 or email gmcauliffe@redemptionplus.com.
SHOWCASE
REDEMPTION WINNERS
Coastal Amusements has been a leading manufacturer of redemption games for over 25 years. In its arsenal of successes are Simpson’s Soccer, Temple Run and Spin Out. In 2013, Subway Surfers was released and became a
staple to game rooms such as Dave & Buster’s and Chuck E. Cheese. One of the newer additions to the lineup is the family favorite Yahtzee. Introduced at IAAPA 2014, this exciting action and engaging gameplay keeps people coming back for more. The third outstanding effort by Coastal Amusements is Black Hole. This game of skill has the player in complete control. Its small footprint, excellent earnings and replay value have made this game extremely popular with operators and customers alike. For more information on the complete line of offerings, contact Patrick Mills at Coastal Amusements: phone 732-905-0294 or email patrick@coastalamusements.ocm.
SCORING ANIMATION
Coming this fall, new YouToons Expanded, exclusively in QubicaAMF’s BES X scoring. BES X is adding new content to drive even more customer engagement. One of the more popular environments in BES X, YouToons, which embeds bowlers pictures in the scoring animations, is getting bigger, better and even funnier with its new animation sets. Centers will be able to engage more customers in the game. In addition to targeting groups, team-building events, adults and casual fun, the new YouToons Expanded will now have dedicated content that will engage kids and families. You choose the category to offer up the perfect set of animations for the perfect bowling experience. Join the BES X family of more than 350 centers and 6,300 lanes worldwide. Go to www.quibicaamf.com for more information.
COUNTER MAKEOVER
Is your redemption counter in a funk? Redemption Plus would love to revamp, re-style and re-merchandise your counter to save it from distress! Focusing on the end-user experience in a game area, Redemption Plus’ Experience Crusader Marisa Garris shared, “When players walk in, they should feel motivation to play games, win tickets, and, in turn, take home a welldeserved prize. It needs to go beyond just the visual effect.” Redemption Plus can help establish that feeling for you. Their expert Game Changers of Guest Experience are armed and ready to tackle your merchandising needs. Call 888-564-7587 or go online to redemptionplus.com.
EXCEL WITH TRAINING
TrainerTainment brings solutions for enhancing employees and growing businesses. Training and teaching Family Entertainment and other hospitality-driven markets how to improve sales and management teams, products and guest service abilities are the goals. Their customized, proven systems have consistently helped clients improve their bottom line. TrainerTainment teaches how to create a thriving sales culture and great customer service through training, online materials, eLearnng, social media coaching, and much more. The philosophy is simple: “We deliver fun training that yields serious results for our clients.” For more information, visit www.trainertainment.net or call 817-886-4840.
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SHOWCASE
AMUSEMENT MERCHANDISE
BMI Merchandise (Bonita Marie, Intl.), a leading amusement merchandise distributor, was named Supplier of the Year by Main Event, at the entertainment chain’s recently concluded 2015 annual conference in Frisco, TX. The award is given to the company that best exemplifies Main Event’s commitment to the highest level of service. BMI achieves this standard through a combination of proprietary logistics and consistently topical redemption merchandise. The result is a redemption merchandise management strategy without precedent in the amusement industry. “We’re thrilled to receive Main Event’s 2015 supplier of the Year award,” said David Katz, BMI’s founder and CEO. “We look forward to a continued collaborative relationship and to pursuing new avenues for growth with Main Event.” For more information on BMI Merchandise and to view its digital catalogue go to www.bmimerchandise.com or call 800-272-6375.
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SELF-CONTAINED PRIZE CENTERS
Bay Tek Games’ self-contained prize center, Prize Hub, introduces an innovative and modern approach to the redemption market. The unique, modular construction allows operators the flexibility to create exact prize centers for their needs. Prize Hub offers a variety of prize capacities. Adding up two each of the Capsule, Spindle and Locker Hubs to the Main Hub provides perfect prize mixes. Have a large transient crowd that doesn’t spend a lot of time in the game room? Try two capsule hubs to offer 32 different, low-ticket prize options. Do you have regulars that come back time and again to play? Entice them with a pair of lockers featuring high-value large prizes. Players use the intuitive 22” touch screen to shop and claim prizes while operators benefit from the user-friendly menu. Prize Hub is compatible with Bay Tek’s Evolve system plus many card reader systems and ticket eaters. For more info, email sales@baytekgames.com or call 920-822-3451.
DATEBOOK
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
4 Ace Mitchell Bowling Regional Trade Show Syracuse, NY (800) 262-2695
27–October 2 Entertainment Center Manager (ECM) School International Bowling Campus Arlington, TX Kelly Bednar (817) 385-8462
6-7 Bowler’s Supply, Inc. Regional Trade Show York, PA (800) 632-1830
7 Classic Products Regional Trade Show Dallas, TX (800) 444-0123
NOVEMBER 28-29 BCAF Board of Directors Meeting Town Hall Meeting Villas of Grand Cypress Orlando, FL Chris Gallas (800) 343-1349 ext. 8471 www.bcaf.us
OCTOBER IBI
11 Ace Mitchell Bowling Regional Trade Show New Jersey (900) 262-2695
11-13 Custom Content Management Program Chris Gallas (800) 343-1349 ext. 8471 www.bcaf.us
14 Classic Products & Hudson Bowling Supply Regional Trade Show Kegel Training Center Lake Wales, FL (800) 444-0123
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East Coast Bowling Centers Convention Golden Nugget Atlantic City, NJ www.eastcoastbowl.com
16-20 IAAPA Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL (703) 836-4801 www.iaapa.org/expos
7-19 PBA World Series of Bowling VII National Bowling Stadium Reno, NV (800) 304-2695; www.pba.com
JANUARY 2-7 Team USA Trials Gold Coast Hotel & Casino Las Vegas USBCTeamUSA@bowl.com Tennelle.Milligan@bowl.com (817) 385-8226
13-15 Foundations Entertainment University Dallas, TX Randy White (816) 931-1040
24-28 Bowling Summit 2016 Hilton Hawaiian Village Honolulu (888) 649-5585 meetings@bpaa.com
18-20
West Coast Bowling Convention Silver Legacy Resort & Casino Reno Sandi Thompson (925) 485-1855 www.wcbowling.com
2-8 Bowlmor AMF U.S. Open AMF Garland Lanes Garland, TX (972) 613-8100
DECEMBER
6-8 Euro Attractions Show Swenska Massan Exhibit Center Gothenburg, Sweden (703) 836-4801 www.iaapa.org/expos
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14-16 New Mexico Open Tenpins & More Rio Rancho, NM (505) 892-7117
25-28 Southwest Ideas Share Summer Education & Trade Show Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Charles, LA k.miller@texasbowlingcenters.org
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Official magazine of the convention IBI
July 2015
45
OPERATIONS
Flooring Leagues
BPAA Way
The
With the new System of League Bowling, the BPAA has a plan to reinvigorate your leagues. By Mark Miller
I
t happens every August in the bowling industry, just like clockwork. Members of leagues scheduled to start soon after Labor Day gather at some type of special event to organize for the upcoming season. They form teams, elect officers and set schedules. Sometimes, proprietors or a designated staff member speak as part of the sessions. Year after year this ritual is carried out with the same information passing down through some sort of tribal knowledge word of mouth method from one group to another just like every year before. Rarely has there been any type of formal script or protocol. It’s enough to wonder if someone has ever completely documented what it takes to put together and launch a league. While big companies like AMF and Brunswick have had something resembling a formal program in the past, truth is, not much of the information can directly be found. So the BPAA decided to do something about it, the result of which is called the System of League Bowling. It was formally
“The dream goal is every member who wants it can have it available.” Bart Burger, BPAA's director of membership and educational services
introduced to the world in June at Bowl Expo with more than 150 people from the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Japan attending a 90-minute learning lab session led by Bart Burger, BPAA’s director of membership and educational services. The program’s concept began in January 2014 at the BPAA Mid-Winter Summit in San Diego when then-BPAA president Cathy DeSocio commissioned David Bardon, chair of BPAA’s league development committee, to help proprietors and give them 46
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August 2015
tools developed by proprietors for proprietors to help them execute a league kick-off. With a lot of second – and thirdgeneration people entering the industry, there is little organized information. She reminded everyone that while the product has changed and the type of leagues have changed, league bowling will continue to be a very important part of the industry and a driver in the business. Bardon and his committee members spent more than a year seeking the best ways to describe and communicate how to start a league. They solicited ideas, solutions and best practices from around the country before mapping out the program. Burger and Bardon said the System of League Bowling is a perfect tool for center management and staff who are new to the industry. It is especially helpful to those who have come into bowling from industries such as food and beverage, hospitality or retail environments and may not know the difference between a league bowler and someone who just comes to the center to bowl. To help spread the word about the program, BPAA will travel to various state and regional events this summer and fall to tell attendees. Each of the chapters will be featured in separate 30minute webinars and the program will be added to the curriculum of BPAA’s Bowling University. “The dream goal is every member who wants it can have it available,” Burger said. “Everyone who wants to learn about leagues and wants to grow their league business, retention and development we want to make this available to them.” Burger said center staff can either use it as a great refresher of things they used to do and walked away from or use it as a totally fresh system if the employee is new to bowling. “For people who come in from outside the industry and join us, this thing we have called league bowling is a complex product to understand the nuances,” Burger said. “It’s like its own little business. If you’ve never experienced what it takes to start a league, you have no idea.” In the past, some proprietors played no role in league organization other than to serve as reservation agents who let
OPERATIONS leagues know what days, times and lanes were available for the upcoming season. In today’s world, Bardon, who owns four centers in Wisconsin, said proprietors must take a more active role in partnering with league and USBC officials to launch leagues. “Although there are a lot of people who have been around a long time, maybe they forgot how to do it, forgot how to ask, maybe how to hold big meetings and take control of the group,” said Bardon. He goes on to say, “When we did do it [form leagues], we didn’t do it in a consistent, systematic manner. In reality, league bowling development is a year-round thing. It’s not something you focus on a couple times a year. That was the whole purpose to build the system.” In some cases, it’s the word “league” that is the problem for some people, so the system provides options. That’s because it isn’t limited to a certain number of teams, games, or weeks. In fact, it shows centers the myriad of new options on the traditional models for running leagues, options that might fit one center better than another. It addresses the changing patterns of people when they decide to bowl frequently in some type of organized and/or social fashion. “There are so many new proprietors and new business people coming into our industry that don’t know about how to do a league,” Bardon said. “What they’re hearing is ‘leagues are dying and don’t even worry about that.’ But that’s crap. You need leagues and here’s how to help
“The new System of League Bowling helps you train others so you’re not having to give all the information yourself.” Tammy Rivera, Bowlmor's operations manager
grow your business from Monday through Thursday.” Bardon started using the System of League Bowling at his centers even before it was final. “The biggest advantages of the system, from my perspective, are (1) doing it consistently because it’s the best way to do it [form leagues]; and (2) when we bring new people in, they’ll have the system they can look at and [be] trained on.” Ray Baty, general manager of West Acres Bowl in Wichita, KS, joined the committee late in the process but is as excited as anyone else about its potential. “We wanted to put something together where someone brand new could walk in, understand it and apply it,” Baty said. “I’ve got an experienced staff here at West Acres, with about a 90 percent league-structured house. When I bring in a new employee, I can use [System of League Bowling] as a tool rather than as on-the-job training,” Baty said. “They can look the manual over and it makes sense applying it in real time.” Baty likes the way the manual is applicable in so many ways, from fresh and new ideas to reminding staff why something is done a particular way. Tammy Rivera, BowlMor AMF’s operations manager and a former 48
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THE BPAA SYSTEM OF LEAGUE BOWLING PROGRAM BREAKS DOWN THE LEAGUE KICK- OFF PROCESS INTO EIGHT SECTIONS: League Benefits & Recognition Marketing u Communications u League Structure u Staffing u Planning u Instruction u BPAA Existing Programs u u
The program is a free benefit of BPAA membership and is available through the BPAA website. bowling center manager for AMF in the Oklahoma City area, was part of the project from its inception. Though she’s seen bits and pieces of guidance on starting leagues, there’s never been something so formal and encompassing as the System of League Bowling. “I’ve been doing this a long time. But thinking of how many people are coming from outside the industry, they need somewhere to start and there may not always be someone there to give them guidance. Often, the general manager or proprietor tends to take everything on their shoulders and floors the leagues by themselves and that’s very difficult, especially a large fall season group. The new System of League Bowling helps you train others so you’re not having to give all the information yourself.” Al Blough has always been a big advocate of leagues in his three eastern Pennsylvania centers. Even as someone who has always taken the lead on leagues, he thinks the new development guide is needed. “There were some ideas on promotions and collecting peoples’ names that I’ve never tried,” he said. “There’s a lot of good ideas. People should be very happy with it. They should have all their questions answered.” Upon returning from Bowl Expo, Blough gave one of his managers his thumb drive of the system. He eventually plans to make sure each of his managers has a copy. “I think it’s a tremendous program, the best they’ve ever put out,” Blough said. “They did a good job and I’m really pleased with everyone’s effort at the BPAA.” ❖
Mark Miller is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations specialist from Flower Mound, TX. He's the author of Bowling: America's Greatest Indoor Pastime available at Amazon.com or directly from him at markmywordstexas@gmail.com.
CLASSIFIEDS
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
LOCKER KEYS FAST! All Keys done by code # Locks and Master Keys E-mail: huff@inreach.com TOLL FREE
1-800-700-4539
WWW.TEXTBOWLING.COM
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August 2015
49
CLASSIFIEDS
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY ALL AMF BUMPER PARTS, XS Q-BUMP, DURABOWL AND GEN II IN STOCK
SEL L
BUY
Danny & Daryl Tucker Tucker Bowling Equipment Co. 609 N.E. 3rd St. Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-4018 Fax (806) 995-4767
Bowling Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 801 Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-3635 Email - daryl@tuckerbowling.com
www.tuckerbowling.com
Felix Erickson Co., Inc. Strike Zone © Family of Lane Products Strike Zone© Next Generation LC 5 gal case $105 Envi-Cide II Disinfectant Shoe sparay 12/15 oz $87.95 Solve-It © Orange Foam Cleaner 12/18 oz $69.95 FESI Solve-IT © Ball Wheel Liner 22’ $90 NEW RM 107 Rubber/Cork Wheel Liner $29.95/Roll 070-006-757S Smooth Dist. Belt w/ lacing $35 ea. 000-024-604 Gray Ball Lift Belt $195 ea. Exclusive Phenolic Kickback Plates Front F128D 16” x 33” $88 ea. Rear F129 19” x 23 3/4” $88 ea. NEW F131T 16” x 40” $125 ea. All plates include screws and instructions 800-445-1090 (F) 609-267-4669 festrikezone.com Resurfacing - Repairs - Supplies - Synthetics 50
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August 2015
REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751. NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com. FOR SALE: Kegal Custodian+, excellent condition; 32 lanes Mitsubishi Media Masks— will separate; 82-70 PBLs; 40 lanes HPL full lane; Factory A2s; AMF & Brunswick powerlift; AMF Excel scoring; parts; complete packages and installations available. (719) 251-1616 or knotritellc@gmail.com.
EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Call (608) 764-1464.
MANAGER WANTED MANGER wanted for one of our northern New Jersey locations. Some management experience preferred. Email resume to sgroce@nationwidebowlingcom.
MECHANIC WANTED 32-lane center in Poway in Southern California needs A or B mechanic 82-70s. Call Jimmy at (858) 722-7781.
SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL
AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • Frameworx NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS
Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849
291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940
on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: mike@bowlingscorer.com
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August 2015
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE CENTRAL OHIO: 16-lane profitable Brunswick center with nightly leagues, lounge and snack bar. In fastest-growing and highest-income county in Ohio. Call Debra (740) 369-3451. APPRAISALS: LARRY DOBBS MAI, ASA. (214) 674-8187. Bowlingvaluations@yahoo.com. SOUTHWEST KANSAS: Well-maintained 8lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant. Includes business and real estate. Nice, smaller community. Owner retiring. $212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828.
SELL YOUR CENTER
(818) 789-2695
GEORGIA: Busy 32-lane center, real estate included. Great location in one of fastest–growing counties in metro Atlanta. 5 years new with all the amenities. Excellent numbers. Call (770) 356-8751.
DINUBA LANES
OHIO, Archbold: 12-lane Brunswick center on 1.81 acres w/ 13,440 s/f commercial bldg. Plus QubicaAMF scoring system, pro shop with eqpt. & restaurant/bar area with eqpt. & fixtures. Asking 189,900.00. Contact lshirkey@fmbank.com or (800) 451-7843 x 15290.
For Sale in California: City population of 21,000, and trade population of 129,000, 16-lane center with auto scoring. 15,000 s/f building. Family business with great potential. Owner retiring; will carry small 1st @ 6%. Full appraisal available for serious buyer. Call Armen (559) 250-3502.
OKLAHOMA: Lease to Own or Owner Carry for Viable Investor. 16 lanes—fully remodeled with so much potential, A2s, Steltronic w/42” flatscreens, synthetic panels, 11th Frame Grill, laser tag, largest game room in the area & thriving lounge w/ room to expand. (719) 251-1616. 16-lane center in Southern Colorado mountains. Great condition. 18,000 s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge. Paved parking 100+ vehicles. Established leagues & tournaments. $950,000 or make offer. Kipp (719) 852-0155. NE MINNESOTA: Food, Liquor & Bowling. Established 8 lanes between Mpls & Duluth w/ large bar, dining room, banquet area. Two large State employment facilities nearby. High six-figure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089. www.majesticpine.com.
PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70 S.S. & M.P. MACHINES Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. Board Exchange & Repair! A reasonable alternative for Chassis and P.C. Board Exchanges MIKE BARRETT Call for Price List
Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576 52
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WWW.TEXTBOWLING.COM MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Portable/Pre-Fab. Black Light/Traditional/Pro Putter. 202 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com
CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full-service restaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables, karaoke machine & DJ system. Asking $125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One of the top five places to move! Remodeled 32lane center. Good numbers. $3.1m gets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828) 253-0362.
CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-lane Brunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thru liquor store in small college town. Also, 3 apartment buildings with 40 units, good rental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or (701) 430-1490. NW KANSAS: 12-lane center, AS-80s, Lane Shield, snack bar, pro shop, game & pool rooms. See pics and info @ www.visitcolby.com or contact Charles (785) 443-3477.
SELL YOUR CENTER (818) 789-2695
AREA SALES MANAGER CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PRODUCTS – NORTHEAST REGION Brunswick Bowling Products is seeking an Area Sales Manager for their capital equipment products for the Northeast Region of the United States. Sales territory will include the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Mass, Rhode Island and Maine. The ideal candidate must live within territory and will have experience selling capital equipment products, preferably in the bowling industry. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years outside sales experience. Position requires a minimum of 50% travel. Candidates should also have a Bachelor’s degree in business or marketing or equivalent large account sales experience. Send resume to donna.nichols@brunbowl.com or fax to 231 725-4865. Brunswick Bowling Products is an equal employment opportunity employer.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
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August 2015
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REMEMBER WHEN
1960s
Yabba Dabba Doo!
W
hile bowling was reaching its apex in the ‘60s, primetime television was introduced to a cartoon sitcom, The Flintstones, which took the popularity of bowling and ran with it. Fred Flintstone and his next door neighbor Barney Rubble did what just about every family in America did in the 1960s— bowl. The Flintstones ran on ABC television from 1960 to 1966 and is considered the second greatest TV cartoon right behind The Simpsons.
While the show ended, Fred and Barney’s bowling spun off into video games. This 1999 ad introduces Cartoon Network’s “The Flintstones’ Bedrock Bowling” video game. Everybody likes cartoons and everybody likes bowling. ❖ – Patty Heath
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