AAMA Pavilion Int'l Billiard & Home Rec Show

AAMA Booth

From Left: Joel Friedman and Chris Bisha of Enco Systems

Elk Grove Village, IL – June 23, 2009 – 2009 marked the 25^th anniversary of the Billiard Congress of America’s International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo, and the AAMA, together with its members was there to mark the occasion.

The event, produced by the BCA, was held at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina, June 12-14. It was apparent that much preparation went into the show from exhibitors to the BCA to show management; the show floor itself looked great! However, to no ones surprise the show was smaller and less attended.

According to the BCA, attendee numbers came in at 1,111; down nearly 50% from last year’s 2,156. The number of companies exhibiting was also down. This year there were 178, exhibitors down 56 from last year’s 234.

“While we would have liked to have a larger show with respect to exhibitors and attendees, we are not surprised with the results given the difficult economy our members are currently facing, “said Ivan Lee, co-chair of the Expo and 2007-2008 president of the BCA Board of Directors. “However, we believe those in attendance benefited via the business opportunities and relationships forged on the show floor and by participating in the Business of Billiards seminars and special events. We look forward to a stronger economy next year, as we return to Las Vegas.”

The AAMA pavilion understood Ivan’s comments and new going into the show that it would be a breezy show. However, some participating pavilion members mirrored this past ASI review. Feelings were that even though floor traffic was exceptionally light, they did meet with key buyers, and had more time to discuss business than they normally would with a show bustling with window shoppers.

Rock-Ola president, John Schultz, stated “Despite the light attendance, the people that came to the show were indeed positive. It was refreshing to speak to individuals who in fact were interested in talking business. We walked away with orders, but it helps when you offer state of the art equipment; I believe this always makes a show better. Even though the show was not held in Vegas, we spoke with locations within that region that we normally wouldn’t have a chance to speak with or see. “

Other participants within AAMA’s pavilion included, Firestone Financial Corporation, Merit Entertainment, Namco America, Rock-Ola Manufacturing, Stern Pinball, Wurlitzer Jukebox & Vending and Valley-Dynamo. Other AAMA members present included Brady Distributing Company. With Brady’s headquarters located in Charlotte, the company itself had quite a presence on the trade show floor with a 20x20 peninsula.

The BCA has secured the Sands Convention Center for the 2009 Expo, which will take place June 25-27 and in 2010 the show will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 24-26. The Expo will also be held in Las Vegas in 2011 and 2012, with the dates and locations for those years still to be determined.

The association has scheduled for the 26^th International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo to be a part of its 2009 trade show calendar. The AAMA is currently working on the pavilion having a bigger presence within these shows, and has much in store for its members in connection with its Location Trade Show Program. Details on the new program will be announced at a later date.