Billiard Congress of America Releases Results of Annual Membership Study
Findings Focus on Issues Specific to Billiard Retailers and Pool Room Operators
Billiard Sponsors
The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) announces the availability of the results of its annual membership study, including two in-depth and comprehensive reports specific to the billiard retailer and pool room operator segments of the BCA membership.
The BCA, in partnership with Ellison Research, of Phoenix, Arizona, conducted the annual membership study in January of 2008. The main goals of the study were to understand the overall state of the BCA, in addition to providing retailers and room operators with specific information about their respective parts of the industry. A total of 300 interviews were completed during the course of the study, including 153 billiard retailers and 61 room operators. Information gathered from the participating retailer and room operator BCA members was used to compile the two reports.
During the course of conducting interviews, billiard retailers and room operators were asked a series of questions that were unique to their specific businesses. The information gathered provides insight into how other billiard retailers and room operators run their businesses, the priorities they place on various issues and their thoughts on specific issues facing their businesses.
Each report is broken into several parts, including:
• Various baseline indicators used to assess key similarities and differences between billiard retailers or room operators;
• The financial implications of owning a retail establishment or a billiard hall;
• General challenges billiard retailers or room operators are facing;
• The role of the Internet in owning a retail establishment or a billiard hall; and
• Subsequent overview of the main findings throughout each specific report.
“As the trade organization for the billiards industry, the BCA is committed to helping our members grow their businesses. By gathering and compiling data on market trends and making it available to our membership, we have created an informational tool that our members can use to better understand the complexities of the marketplace,” states BCA President Ivan Lee. “The results of this study present a snapshot of the unique issues facing our retail and room operator members, but I believe that the billiards community at large and not just these specific segments of our membership can benefit from this information.”
Both reports are available on the BCA Web site at bca-pool.com. Current BCA members can access the reports free of charge using their BCA username and password credentials. The reports are also available to non-BCA members for $250 per report. The order form is also available on the BCA Web site.
About Billiard Congress of America
Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 866.852.0999.
McDermott Handcrafted Cues Introduces Cue for the Cure to Benefit Breast Cancer Research
Billiard Sponsors
McDermott Handcrafted Cues debuted a stunning masterpiece: the Pink Ribbon Limited Edition Cue to benefit the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, a New Jersey non-profit corporation dedicated to raising public awareness and supporting research of triple negative breast cancer.
The specially designed cue features a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon to support those touched by breast cancer.
“We are proud to display the Triple Negative Breast Cancer ribbon on our latest limited edition cue,” says Nat Rosasco, President and CEO of McDermott. “We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer and we are pleased to be working with an organization that makes a difference and ultimately saves lives.”
The Pink Ribbon cues features highly figured Birdseye maple, aged burl wood, six floating points, 134 total inlays, Everest tip by Tiger, stainless steel joint and German brass rings. This cue is the latest masterpiece from renowned cue designer, Larry Liebl.
As with all McDermott cues, the new Pink Ribbons come standard with McDermott’s Lifetime Warranty, including warpage, and McDermott’s new Free Lifetime Maintenance Program, which features a 10-Point Inspection, new tips and overall cue clean up, twice a year, for life.
The Pink Ribbon will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,449 and will be available at Authorized McDermott Retailers in the United States and the rest of the world starting on May 15, 2008.
About Mcdermott Cues Since 1975, McDermott Handcrafted Cues has consistently raised the performance standards for what billiard players expect from a high performance cue. McDermott builds billiard equipment for people who view playing pool as an end in itself, drawing on cutting-edge technology and tasteful yet aggressive design. McDermott equipment is rooted in performance, using the latest technology in a state-of-the-art facility and utilizing the finest materials available. For further information about McDermott Handcrafted Cues, please visit our website at www.mcdermottcue.com.
PoolontheNet.com would like to announce the launching of its newly designed website which now includes testimonials from all of its clients. including WPBA Touring Pro Liz Ford, former US Open 9-Ball Champion Tommy Kennedy, and World Class Professional Pool Player Tony Robles.
Tony Robles had this to say about his Predator9BallTour.com website designed by Rob Staskowski and Pool on the Net. "I have known Rob for almost 15 years and I can honestly say that I have had several sites done for me in the past by someone else. The site that Rob designed for me is not only by far the best one ever made for me, but one the best pool sites that I have ever seen in my pool period!”
Liz Ford had this to say about her website LizFord.net, one of the first websites designed by Pool on the Net in 2007. "I had strong ideas about how I wanted my website to look; lizford.net was my first attempt at an online presence and I wanted something professional and attractive. Rob created a solid, organized site and advised me on the best way to present myself online. I'm very happy with the results -- I have an award winning site!". Liz’s site, LizFord.net won the award for Best Female Pool Player Website presented by Billiards Digest in 2007.
Pool on the Net strives to provide affordable website design for Pool Rooms, Pool Tours & Pool Players. If you have a pool related website that you would like designed just contact Rob Staskowski at rob[at]poolonthenet.com.
Looking ahead in 2008, Pool on the Net would like to announce that it will be designing a brand new website for the J. Pechauer Northeast Women’s 9-Ball Tour and a fresh new design for 3-Time Australian 9-Ball Champion Lyndall Hulley, so stay tuned!
Torrance, CA — The Rock-Ola wraps up the “green conversion” of its Torrance factory just in time for Earth Day on April 22. The facility’s prominent new green awnings are a sign of the environmentally conscious changes taking place inside the renowned 70,000 square foot factory.
Throughout the Rock-Ola headquarters and factory building, all standard fluorescent light fixtures—almost 1,700 plus emergency exit signs—have been replaced with high-efficiency fluorescent tubes and computer-controlled electronic ballasts. Service for the conversion was provided by California Edison, who also picked up three-quarters of the cost of replacement. In exchange, California Edison can draw down 10% of Rock-Ola’ s power during peak summer usage hours, helping to offset power needs in other parts of the state. “It’s a win-win for Rock-Ola and the environment,” beamed CEO Glenn Streeter.
The conversion is estimated to pay for itself in energy cost savings within 11 months and lighting expenses are estimated to be 40% of the cost prior to the new lighting hardware. In addition to the cost savings, the new system provides significantly more light than the older conventional fixtures.
Rock-Ola Product updates Since the European Union adopted the Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) Directive, Rock-Ola has been using RoHS compliant parts in all export jukeboxes. Effective July 1, 2006, the directive requires that all products for sale in the EU comply with RoHS. Though the United States has not yet adopted a comprehensive policy on the matters of electronic waste, Rock-Ola has taken the initiative to replace its domestic product parts containing lead with RoHS compliant parts, using California’s SB80, Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 as a guideline.
Under its new green-colored awnings, Rock-Ola will continue to make “environmentally friendly” choices for products and procedures just as the famous jukeboxes create a “friendly environment” in restaurants, bars, and at home.
Connected Operators Get a Sneak Peek at Lucky 11’s
Bristol, PA -Merit Entertainment is proud to announce the release of their latest Sneak Peak Game – Lucky 11’s. This high-voltage romp through the vaults of Las Vegas automatically downloads to all MegaNet-connected Megatouch IONs.
In Lucky 11’s, the player is challenged to tally casino chips that total 11 and clear the board as quickly as they can. The stunning graphics and fast-paced game play are sure to make it another Megatouch sensation. Sneak Peek Games like Photo Pop and Beer Pong 21 have been proven earnings boosters, so operators can bet on Lucky 11’s to give them the same great results.
Sneak Peek Games are free to all MegaNet-connected IONs (including the Aurora). Merit reminds operators that MegaNet itself is free for any broadband-connected Megatouch linked to an AMI jukebox.
"With the advantage of Sneak Peek Games, MegaNet operators always have the freshest content," said Colin Higbie, Merit's Director of Marketing. "Megatouch IONs already out-earn the competition. Sneak Peaks push earnings even higher on connected machines by automatically downloading the hottest new games months before anyone else get them. We strongly encourage all Megatouch operators get connected so they can stay ahead of the competition by offering more to their players and increasing their earnings.”
For over 30 years, Merit has ensured long-term return on investment for operators by providing continually high-earning equipment along with updates and upgrades for its products. With an installed base of over 250,000 touchscreen games garnering nearly 4.6 billion plays per year, Merit Entertainment is the worldwide leader in touchscreen entertainment devices. Merit Entertainment products appear globally in a wide array of venues and appeal to an almost limitless demographic. Merit continues to expand its position in the industry with ever-increasing entertainment, content, and new games. The company maintains a Web site with all the latest information at www.meritgames.com.
Torrance, CA — The Rock-Ola wraps up the “green conversion” of its Torrance factory just in time for Earth Day on April 22. The facility’s prominent new green awnings are a sign of the environmentally conscious changes taking place inside the renowned 70,000 square foot factory.
Bristol, PA -Merit Entertainment is proud to announce the release of their latest Sneak Peak Game – Lucky 11’s. This high-voltage romp through the vaults of Las Vegas automatically downloads to all MegaNet-connected Megatouch IONs. 