Industry News

All Hail The Queen

Ryan Vasko — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000

All Hail The Queen

How an Ohio center gave away over $1 million and became a local sensation!

Ryan Vasko Mon, 04/01/2024 - 12:00

One of last year's best viral marketing stories in the bowling industry was, quite literally, the luck of the draw.

The odds of one specific card in a deck of 54 (four full suits and two jokers, if you're wondering) not being pulled until 52 other cards had been picked are astronomically low—a fraction of a fraction of a percent. You're more likely to see a couple dozen 300 games rolled in a single league night.

And yet, that's precisely how a side-game-turned-sensation played out over a wild year at Beaver-Vu Bowl in Beavercreek, Ohio. Along the way, hundreds of thousands of dollars of raffle tickets were sold, thousands of people pushed the fire code limits of the center's confines and parking lot, and one lucky winner walked away a millionaire.

"It was like something out of a movie," said general manager Wendy Figer, who has been a fixture at the Dayton-area alley for two decades.

It all started pretty simply. The center began selling $1 raffle tickets for their version of a popular weekly card game called Queen of Hearts. In the game, two jokers are added to a full deck, which are adhered face-down to a sealed board. At the end of each week, the tickets are gathered, and if yours is called, you get to pick a card from the board. If it's not the queen of hearts, that card is removed, you win a little prize money, and the remainder carries over to the next draw and the next week, with more tickets sold as the game continues. Once that red lady is pulled, the winner takes home the jackpot ($1,199 in the case of that first game), the board is reset, and the whole process starts over.

The kicker, however, was that Beaver-Vu decided to roll 40% of the ticket sales of each board into the next, creating a compounding initial pot amount from week to week to week. And nothing was stopping the pot's growth as that elusive card continued to go undrawn. Ohio law dictates that if 100% of the purchase of tickets for a game like Queen of Hearts goes back into the contest, then it's deemed a game of chance and not subject to the same taxes of regulated, profit-backed gambling sales. That also means that Beaver-Vu wasn't allowed to make any money off the thousands of tickets sold every day. Their success would be measured in food and beverage sales and anything spilling into open bowling and league interest.

As the amount to win increased with each successive board—especially after the games that lasted longer—word began to spread, and ticket sales skyrocketed. The next board went 26 weeks before a queen of hearts was seen. Beaver-Vu started using a higher percentage of sales to put into the prize pool. The fifth board went for 42 weeks, paying out $57,000.

And so came the fateful sixth board. After the previous game's payout, the pot started at $25,000. A few weeks went by. Spades, clubs, and diamonds fell by the wayside. After a few months with no queen sighting, weekly raffle sales climbed above $10,000. Figer hired staff specifically to sell tickets. People would arrive in groups to buy dozens or hundreds of chances.

By the way, almost all of this was happening via word of mouth. Beaver-Vu spent no extra marketing dollars beyond their usual social posts and a few in-center announcements. There was no better lure than ever-increasing odds to win an ever-increasing jackpot.

Towards the end of board #6, Figer met three ladies who had driven three hours, rented a hotel room, and ride-shared to the center just for the chance. Figer had to talk to the local police and fire departments about crowd control because the number of people who would show up had outgrown the alley's limits and spilled into the parking lot.

"We couldn't have sold more beer than we did," Figer said. "Those last few weeks, I had eight bartenders, plus two more with a beer wagon. It was like throwing the biggest block party you could imagine, every week."

In the lead-up to the final week, Beaver-Vu sold $261,000 in tickets. The ticket rolls were being delivered on pallets. Speakers were set up in the parking lot so attendees could hear the numbers being read out. The five people dedicated to a reduced menu in the cafe were pushed to their limits, so they hired a food truck to handle the added demand. People would show up at noon for a selection that didn't start until 8 pm, playing cornhole, eating lunch, and waiting for the chance to witness—and maybe even win.

"It was nerve-wracking, to say the least," said Figer, reflecting on the day the winning draw finally happened in week 50, when just five cards remained.

By then, the sheer volume of entries sold required her to have a custom-made tumbler. It was capable of holding half a million tickets and weighed 400 pounds. The security company they hired out of safety concerns patrolled a crowd of more than 1,200 inside, with more outside, including some who had spent the night to secure a wristband for admittance. It had gotten so big it was decided that a winner would be crowned no matter what that day.

A few minutes after 8 o'clock, the first ticket was pulled. Ace of clubs. The next? A queen! But of spades. The crowd buzzed, trying to will the winning card to the top. The following card was a 9 of clubs, leaving only two more on a board that had first begun nearly a year prior. At 8:30 pm, the owner of the raffle ticket that was called was escorted inside by a group of supporters shouting, "Make way! Make way! Here he comes!" That man, who has chosen to stay low-profile since winning, made his choice. Figer picked it up, glanced at it, and announced to the masses: queen of hearts.

Pandemonium.

The crowd exploded. The winner was mobbed by his friends, suddenly richer by $1,034,737. Tears flowed. Champagne bottles popped. Finally, it had happened.

"The pure joy! Oh my god!" said Figer, laughing. "There was nobody there who thought, 'Oh man, it wasn't me.' It's just pure positive energy and excitement. And then we still had to tell everybody we had another board!"

In the aftermath, the staff took a month to decompress. They made t-shirts that read, "I Survived the Queen of Hearts." They had introduced their alley to a new group of customers, many of whom would come back for open bowling and dinners on Monday nights, now regulars of a different sort. After the wild highs of the past year, it felt good to take a step back and reflect.

"We all kind of went on a bender, it felt like," said Figer. "This consumed our business. We needed to get back to what we are for a bit."

Beaver-Vu had never seen anything like it. In her last order before the big draw, Figer had to order 2.2 million tickets to ensure she had enough. And still, they ran out. At its peak, they sold 491,000 tickets in a single week.

They also learned a lot along the way. They decided to put some stopgaps in for future games, including points that trigger automatic draw-downs until a winner is found. But mainly, they learned to be adaptable. Something that gets that big and fast can overtake you and your business. But if you're willing to bet big on your ability to draw in customers in with something they like, and if the odds fall in their favor, you can roll with it and make a splash in more than just sales—you can bring people through your doors that otherwise might never have done so.

"I not only have my bowling family and bowling people here, but I also created another family of Queen of Hearts people," said Figer. "It was a hell of a ride."

Industry News

Think BIG!

Ryan Vasko — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Think BIG!

New partnership aims to grow youth bowling.

Ryan Vasko Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:00

Declining youth bowlers in organized play has been a significant concern for most bowling operators for decades. To attract the next generation of bowlers, we need to start young! The key to a better future for the industry is to turn casual youth players into lifelong participants in bowling through leagues and other forms of competition. And that's precisely what a new partnership between Storm Bowling, the premier producer of performance bowling balls, and BBBI, operators of the Kids Bowl Free program, aim to do. Storm Bowling and Kids Bowl Free have joined forces to launch the Bowling Industry Growth (BIG) movement. The BIG campaign will kick off this year with the Storm Xperience, a program designed to help younger bowlers improve their skills, earn rewards, feel part of a welcoming community, and add a fun, new element to their lives.

Bowling is not just a game. It's a community of fun-loving individuals who enjoy friendly competition and striking up new friendships," said Gary Hulsenberg, vice president of marketing for Storm Bowling. "We realize that by combining our unique skill sets and assets, we can turn casual, infrequent bowlers into enthusiasts that will play the game as a sport."

For 16 years, the Kids Bowl Free (KBF) program has introduced millions of children to our great game. While several KBF centers have consistently progressed KBF kids into their youth programs, other center operators have been asking for help doing so. The new BIG movement has been designed to accelerate the number of young bowlers embracing the sport at a higher level. We feel the unique and interactive elements built into this program will engage youth casual players, educate them and their parents about the sport, and result in a higher number wanting more participation," said Bruce Davis, president of BBBI.

The Storm Xperience 2024

Providing more emphasis on bowling as a sport is an essential element of the Storm Xperience, which will be offered at no charge to the more than three million Kids Bowl Free (KBF) bowlers annually. Parents of KBF participants will be reminded to log their child's scores on an app that will track their performance and generate a KBF average while establishing a baseline from which they can improve. Future youth opportunities are in the works to encourage additional and more in-depth sport involvement.

Coaching Help on the Way

Storm Bowling will be providing a unique service not just to these newly minted bowlers but to staff-strapped centers as well. One of the biggest hurdles proprietors face in moving younger players to the next level is a need for more coaches and staff who are trained and available to help with that transition. The Storm Xperience will bring unique tools and new technology to deliver virtual bowling lessons and personalized tips for young bowlers to view at home or while on the lanes. To make the experience even more relatable for kids in the program, these lessons will be given by members of the Evolution Team, a group of Storm's staff youth bowlers from around the country who have an unbridled enthusiasm for the sport. These athletes have been chosen based on their success on the lanes, involvement in community service, and ability to encourage and help kids like them take the next step. They'll show there's more to bowling than just casual games, including the possibility of joining middle and highschool teams and accessing millions of dollars in college scholarship funds. Storm will provide more in-depth instruction from their roster of sponsored pro tour bowlers, like Jason Belmonte, Kyle Troup, Verity Crawley, and Danielle McEwan.

More Visits to Centers This Year and Beyond

Over the years, KBF has sought ways to keep these burgeoning young bowlers returning to centers for more organized competition. The BIG movement aims to facilitate that goal and improve organized play business with this multiyear investment in the future of the sport.

KBF centers will receive point-of-sale and other materials that direct families to log their scores on each visit; parents will also be reminded electronically each time their child goes bowling through the KBF program. Bowlers will be entered into prize giveaways that Storm provides whenever a score is recorded.

"Both companies are committed to this effort as a multiyear investment that will provide a consistent flow of youth gravitating to the sport side of our game annually. The unique assets of Storm and Kids Bowl Free, and the shared commitment to the goal, should benefit the industry for years to come," said Davis.

The 2024 rollout is just the beginning. Plans for future growth, additional opportunities, and new ways to connect with tomorrow's bowlers are already in the works from the BIG movement. Stay tuned to IBI for further details about this exciting endeavor to grow bowling.

For more information, contact Bruce Davis at BBBI (239)389-9583 or Gary Hulsenberg at Storm Bowling (435)720-7308.

Industry News

Bowling, Bologna, and Lasting Bonds

Ryan Vasko — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:06:40 +0000

Bowling, Bologna, and Lasting Bonds

Pennsylvania’s beloved Dutchman Bolony Tourney celebrates its 75th year

Ryan Vasko Mon, 10/02/2023 - 11:06

At a certain point, a bowling tournament becomes more than just a bowling tournament. It may happen when your annual entries climb into the four digits. It may be when it becomes wholly intertwined with a town's cherished century-plus-old smokehouse. It could be when the folks involved shift to the next generation (or the next after that). The Dutchman Bolony Bowling Tourney, which celebrated its 75th anniversary at Palmyra Bowling in Palmyra, PA, and Clearview Lanes in Mount Joy, PA, checks off all the above and more. “I love this tournament,” said Amy Eiserman, Dutchman’s director and proprietor of Palmyra Bowling. "People come in and tell me, 'This is my 46th year.' And I love that. They say, 'I can finally bowl with my kids this year.' Things like that keep me going and make it special.”

The numbers on their own are impressive enough:

1,290 teams competing in 2023, their highest number ever
3,420 pairs of doubles and nearly 7,000 single bowlers across all events
A prize pool even greater than $452,000, 2022’s final number
3,000 Seltzer’s Lebanon Bolognas (don’t you dare call it “baloney”) ordered for prizes and giveaways

But the true mark of the value of this event can be found in how the bowlers, staff, and people in the area talk about it. The way they come back, year after year, bringing friends and passing on the traditions to their kids and grandkids. It’s more than a tournament. It’s a story of kin, deep connections, small businesses succeeding even through tough times, and smoked meat.

A Family Affair

The Dutchman has always been a big part of Amy Eiserman’s life. She has been vital to Palmyra Bowling's center operations since 1998 and took over as tournament manager in 2009, succeeding her parents, Doug and Sue Eiserman, who started to oversee it in 1983. The tourney was first created by her former bookkeeper's father in 1948. Amy has managed to increase the numbers in her time and has implemented a longer season (this year's runs from March through August) to accommodate as many groups as possible. Still, the format remains the same
as the years go by. Bowlers can participate in a variety of singles, doubles, or team divisions, registering up to three times, with further opportunities available in the form of optional singles, Bolony Bank events, and special weekends with cash prizes and other bonuses.

Rather than huge payouts for the top few bowlers, the amounts cascade down to offer a higher chance of taking something home. “As my father used to say, we’re not a top-heavy tournament,” Amy said. “We prefer to pay out lots of people. We want people to be excited about coming back and winning.”

She comes by these lessons and this passion honestly. Doug, her dad, was an avid and talented bowler in his younger years. He bought Palmyra Lanes with his wife Sue in the 1980s and immediately became active in various associations and clubs, always ready to hand out a flier or welcome in a new bowler. "His first love was bowling. I was his second, and I knew that going in," Sue laughed.

The same spirit of a true family business is also found at Clearview Lanes, where the team events are held and supervised by Lisa and EJ Farwell, the former being the oldest daughter of Sharon and Henry Blough, who has proudly owned the center for more than 50 years.

Bringing in Bowlers

Tom Wizda, Jr. first took over sponsoring Dutchman bowlers from his father, Tom, Sr., in 1978. For 45 years now, Wizda, Jr. has been bringing one of the largest groups of bowlers to the tourney. “I get people who call me up all year long, checking in on the tournament group,” Wizda, Jr. said. "They save up all year for this. For many of us, it's the only time in the year we all get to see each other. Everybody works hard and has their busy lives, but we get to have this time together to party, catch up, and bowl." Teams come from as far away as North Carolina to participate; many look forward to the ritual of the drive and the camaraderie it brings. “If I had to guess, I’d say more than a quarter of the bowlers this year have been coming for over 25 years,” Sue reflected.

Full Of Bologna And Community Involvement

There’s bologna, there’s baloney, there’s sausage, and then there’s meat.” That's how Amy sums up the state of smoked meat to this uninitiated writer. Lebanon Bologna is the local specialty, primarily from Seltzer's Smokehouse Meats, which began production in 1902. till using some of those same smoking huts in the center of town today, they smoke the delicacies for three days for an old-fashioned and tasty result.

“Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats has been a part of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Dutch culture for more than 120 years. We believe that quality can't be compromised, and that’s something Seltzer’s has always stood for,” said Michael Pellito, head of sales and marketing. "We don't add fillers, we don't add liquid smoke for flavor, and most importantly, we don't cut corners. That artisan craftsmanship is what makes Seltzer's Lebanon bologna.”

For as long as anyone involved can remember, winning a chub of Seltzer’s bologna for rolling four to six strikes in a row has always been part of the Dutchman tradition. Last year, the center gave away 1,763 12-ounce bolognas. This year, Amy has already purchased 3,000 for giveaways and to sell in the center!

“As a local company, Seltzer’s has made a strong effort to connect with and support local businesses that make up our communities,” Pellito said. “With both companies being in Palmyra and many Seltzer’s employees over the years bowling at Palmyra and in the tourney, supporting the Dutchman just made sense to us. It's been great for the Lebanon Valley folks connected to Seltzer's and the community."

With luck, one can hope that in 75 more years, the Dutchman will be celebrating the 150th version of the tourney. There will be more newcomers rolling for the first time, more family members brought in by the old guard, more tons of bologna awarded for strikes, and more Wizdas leading a caravan of bowlers up from far away.

Other center owners can learn plenty of lessons from Amy Eiserman and her partners about staging a great tournament—everything from a generous prize structure and exceptional customer service to respecting tradition while being unafraid to try new things. But above all, the Dutchman is a testament to the best advice any business can follow: treat your people like family (especially if they are family), and they'll always come back for more.

Industry News

Working Together to Make a Difference

Robert Sax — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Working Together to Make a Difference Robert Sax Wed, 07/05/2023 - 12:00

Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) is bowling’s oldest charity and has raised more than $53 million since 1942. Money raised helps fund recreation and therapy programs that address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and active-duty military. “Our goal is to help our veterans transition back to civilian life and live happy and healthy lives. Mostly, we want to put a smile on their faces. Give them something to look forward to instead of doctor appointments, pain and feeling lost,” said Mary Harrar, Executive Director of BVL.

Fundraising events and donations from thousands of bowling associations, bowling centers, industry partners, and bowlers throughout the U.S. help fund the efforts of BVL. Besides being incredibly rewarding, raising money for soldier and veteran outreach is easier than you think.

CREATIVE FUNDRAISERS FOR BVL SHARE THE SECRETS OF THEIR SUCCESS

As part of IBI’s annual salute to veterans and BVL, we asked several successful BVL fundraisers to share their stories about how they have operated successful campaigns. These folks used a creative approach to host successful fundraisers, build excitement in their community, and raise needed funds. We hope their stories will inspire industry colleagues across the country to do the same.

WORKING TOGETHER PAYS BIG DIVIDENDS – A NEW JERSEY SUCCESS!

Retired pro shop owner Tony Norcia has run Pro-Am tournaments to support BVL for more than eight years. Most recently he has used Howell Lanes in Howell, NJ, where 200-300 people attend a typical tournament. Norcia says Howell Lanes co-owners Neil Feingold and Charlie Anderson give outstanding support by setting aside lanes, discounting lineage, and “helping us in any way they can.”

Norcia secures local tournament sponsors that are big supporters of veterans’ causes, providing t-shirts, and other support for the event. While in a typical year the Pro-Am tournament raises about$6,000, in 2022, Norcia teamed up with his local USBC chapter, the Monmouth County Bowling Association, and over doubled that amount!

As a nonprofit entity, Monmouth County Association holds a license that allows them
to operate 50/50 raffles. “Now the association presents the tournament. They have the license for the state so they’re the ones that actually are in charge of that. That’s why last year we grossed $12,500,” explains Norcia.

Bob Rogers, president of the Monmouth County USBC chapter, says the group historically runs seven or eight tournaments a year of its own, raising around $4,500 in total from 50/50 raffles. When he joined the board, he suggested adding a bowling ball raffle. “I knew so many people in the industry, I was getting five, six, and seven balls donated. We would sell raffle tickets at $5 apiece, on an average of about a thousand tickets. So, we doubled our BVL donation from $4,500 to almost $10,000.”

Rogers praises the tireless efforts of the 25 directors in the association. “They all take a pack of tickets to their leagues to sell them. It’s a group effort from the whole county,” he says. “The directors are very dedicated, and the bowlers are very generous.”

The partnership with Norcia’s tournament boosted the total money raised for BVL by Monmouth County bowlers to more than $22,000 in 2022. “Before we were in the top 10 in the country raising money for BVL,” says Rogers. “When we married up with Tony, it took Monmouth County to second place for the most amount of money raised in the country. We only lost to Greater Dallas, which is a much bigger organization.” BVL executive director Mary Harrar calls the New Jersey alliance a perfect story about bowling associations and bowling centers working together.

ONE CALL GOT THE BALL ROLLING

Pat Allen, the owner of Conway Family Bowl in Conway, AK, is from a military family and spent his early years living on the local air force base. In 2022 he held his first BVL fundraiser, setting what he thought was “a pretty lofty goal at $10,000.” The event was a big success and they ended up raising over $12,000.

Allen’s approach was quite creative. He sold lane sponsorships for $300 apiece, selling out his 24 lanes. Some sponsors brought their teams to the tournament, while others asked him to bring veterans to bowl. Allen contacted the local recruiting offices and arranged for teams from the Army and Navy to compete.

Allen contacted Little Rock’s TV stations, which cover the entire state, to publicize the event. At first, he didn’t get any callbacks but then received a voicemail from Amy Sullivan, the news director at KATV, the ABC affiliate in Little Rock. Sullivan was a veteran who had run the bowling center at the base where she served in Japan. “She was excited and got me the names I needed for the other television stations,” says Allen. That one call got the ball rolling and three local stations covered the event. One of them, KTHV, even selected Conway Bowl for its veterans-focused “Heroes of the Month” segment. “As a result of the TV coverage, a local law firm donated a thousand dollars to BVL,” says Allen, “and we got a lot of recognition for what we do.”

This year Allen plans to run tournaments at Conway Bowl and his other center, Allfam Lanes, which is located just outside Little Rock Air Force Base. With the potential of running two shifts of bowlers, he’s setting his fundraising goal at $15,000. From the way Allen can build excitement for his events and spread the news, we’re confident he’ll make that goal, and maybe even surpass it. IBI would like to thank these dynamic fundraisers for sharing their stories with our readers. It is our hope, and theirs, that it inspires other industry friends to help BVL support our active duty and veterans in an even bigger, more consistent way.

What Does BVL Do With Money Raised?

While there are many ways BVL touches lives, IBI has highlighted a few of our favorites.

1. A popular new program from BVL harnesses the power of virtual reality to open a wide range of experiences for veterans. MyndVR is a Dallas-based company that has designed a VR headset to help PTSD in veterans. These VR headsets can take someone almost anywhere he or she wants to go. Imagine not being able to leave a facility, or, even worse, confined to a bed, and through the magic of VR they can climb the Eiffel Tower or land a plane on the deck of an aircraft carrier or go to a Broadway play or visit their childhood home. BVL purchases these headsets and delivers them to VA hospitals.

2. Equestrian Therapy allows veterans to help take care of horses and teaches them basic skills. For our paralyzed veterans they get the chance to “walk” again!

3. Bowling outings can help veterans with PTSD develop tools to help them when they hear sounds that remind them of combat, like the ball hitting the lane or the pins crashing. Our sport is used as immersion therapy!

Industry News

Dave & Buster’s Buys Main Event for $835M

Natalie Davis — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:35:32 +0000

Dave & Buster’s Buys Main Event for $835M

Natalie Davis Fri, 04/08/2022 - 10:35

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, operators of entertainment and dining venues, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Main Event from Ardent Leisure Group Limited and RedBird Capital Partners. Upon closing, later in the year, Chris Morris, the current CEO of Main Event, will be the CEO of Dave & Buster's.

Main Event is a family entertainment concept with 50 locations in the U.S., including three recently acquired The Summit locations in Colorado. It is known for its bowling centers, laser tag, and virtual reality games. Dave & Buster’s venues comprise dining and an extensive array of games, plus watching live sports. The company has locations in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

“We are thrilled to welcome Main Even to the Dave & Buster’s family,” said Kevin Sheehan, board chair and interim CEO. “Main Event’s existing footprint works well with Dave & Buster's current geographies, and each brand has significant growth opportunities."

Main Event is also a premier sponsor of Special Olympics International, supporting fundraising and serving as venues for Special Olympics events nationwide. Interestingly, Main Event is also a partner of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

“On behalf of the entire team at Main Event, we are excited to join the Dave & Buster’s family,” said Chris Morris, Main Event’s CEO. “We will be well-positioned to leverage our collective experience and provide our consumers with a category-defining entertainment experience.”

Industry News

PBA Press Release

Professional Bowlers Association — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 20:07:58 +0000

PBA Press Release

Here is a statement from the Professional Bowlers Association regarding the ban of 6 balls at USBC national tournaments:

Professional B… Fri, 04/01/2022 - 16:07

With regards to the USBC decision to ban select bowling balls from different levels of its certified competition, there may be some confusion over what equipment is allowed in the PBA. The following is intended to clarify the situation relative to the PBA.
To review Tuesday’s United States Bowling Congress announcement, the USBC prohibited the following six previously-certified bowling balls from use in USBC national events (including this week’s USBC Masters), but they remain allowed in other USBC competitions (including league play): Storm Phaze 4, Storm Electrify Solid, Storm Trend 2, 900 Global Altered Reality, 900 Global Wolverine and Roto Grip UFO Alert.

All six of those bowling balls remain allowed in all PBA competitions. The PBA has no data or indication that those USBC-certified bowling balls would fail field tests. Again, the six aforementioned bowling balls are allowed in all PBA-conducted competitions, including the upcoming PBA Playoffs, PBA Tour Finals, PBA50 National Tour, and PBA Regional Tour events.
The timing of Tuesday’s USBC ruling, during the USBC Masters, prompted the PBA to grant its members complimentary drillings on the player services trailer for bowling balls replacing the newly prohibited equipment. While the USBC Masters is a PBA Tour major championship, the event is conducted by the USBC under USBC rules.

Industry News

Brunswick StringPin® Meets IBF Specifications For Use In Competitive Tournaments And Leagues

Brunswick — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:51:58 +0000

Brunswick StringPin® Meets IBF Specifications For Use In Competitive Tournaments And Leagues Brunswick Tue, 01/25/2022 - 11:51

Brunswick StringPin® pinsetters meet the International Bowling Federation (IBF) string specifications for sport leagues and sport competitive tournament play worldwide.

Designed by Brunswick engineers to be capable of operating in the highest lineage commercial bowling centers in the world, there are thousands of StringPin® pinsetters installed in centers worldwide.

Late last year, the IBF announced it had approved string pinsetters for sport play after extensive research and consideration. The approval was due in part because the equipment helps proprietors address multiple business challenges, including keeping experienced maintenance technicians on staff, high equipment costs, and machine reliability concerns. StringPin pinsetters reduce energy consumption and costs while providing an exceptional bowling experience for recreational and competitive bowlers alike.

“Brunswick knows that nothing negatively impacts a center’s customer experience, online reputation, and bottom line more than frequent pinsetter malfunction,” said Mike Resterhouse, product manager “StringPin incorporates Brunswick’s exclusive expertise in pinsetter technology to ensure that StringPin operates without interruption at the busiest of bowling centers.”

The StringPin® pinsetter provides professional-grade reliability, exceptional ease of use, the best pin action in the industry, and improved customer experience, all at a lower cost with far less maintenance required. Our advanced 360 control provides an intuitive touchscreen user interface and an advanced machine control that includes the ability to set individual pins and seamless integration with Sync scoring games.

The simple design of the StringPin pinsetter makes it easy to operate and economical to maintain. With fewer parts and adjustments compared to traditional pinsetters, Stringpin does not require a specialized mechanic. The efficiency of the StringPin pinsetter can’t be beaten. It operates on one 3-phase motor per machine, which runs only as needed and comes standard with a white/UV LED pin deck light.

The “strings” used to control the pins aren’t really strings but are made from heavy-duty black nylon cord that makes them practically invisible. Brunswick StringPin is lightweight—weighing 25% less than traditional pinsetters—and compact enough to fit in many residential homes and basements, yet so durable it can be used in busy commercial environments.

The IBF also reported that bowling averages on string machines are very close to those bowled on free-fall machines and that string machines do not give the bowler any significant scoring advantage.

The University of Nebraska’s award-winning Husker Bowling Center is proof that StringPin meets the demands of competitive bowlers. The practice facility for the five-time national champion Huskers women’s team boasts six Brunswick Pro lanes equipped with Sync scoring and StringPin pinsetters.

“We've used string pinsetters for the past 17 years,” said Paul Klempa, the team’s head coach. “Compared to traditional pinsetters, some of the benefits of the StringPin pinsetter include less up-front expense to install, much less daily or regular maintenance required, easier maintenance and lower costs. The machines are safe and easy to untangle. I believe the Brunswick StringPin pinsetter is a no-brainer for anyone looking for an easier alternative to more complex free-falling pinsetters.”

Learn more about the StringPin® pinsetter at brunswickbowling.com/bowling-centers.

Industry News

A Shared Love Of Bowling: IBI’s New Owners Are Old Friends

Robert Sax — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 21:44:05 +0000

A Shared Love Of Bowling: IBI’s New Owners Are Old Friends

If you want to know what’s working in bowling, keep your eye on IBI, where “change of ownership” is a sign of bigger and even better things to come.

Robert Sax Fri, 10/15/2021 - 17:44

The notice “Change of Ownership” on a much-loved community institution like a bowling center can cause great anxiety among existing customers. Do the new owners know anything about the business? Will they change anything? Will they change everything? Do they care about us?

There’s been a change of ownership at the bowling community’s much-loved magazine International Bowling Industry, but its readers and advertisers have nothing to worry about. The new owners, Davis Publications, have deep roots in bowling and share a great love for the industry with the former owners, B2B Media.

The bowling business is very much a family affair, and both companies are family-owned and operated. Bruce and Stephanie Davis are also long-time friends and business associates of former owner Scott Frager. So as big changes go, IBI fans will find that the magazine will evolve in a way that honors its past while growing to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

“We have been deeply involved in bowling in so many ways, from proprietor, tournament directors, suppliers to the industry, marketers, volunteers,” says Stephanie. “We love the people in the industry and we're energized by challenges. And so when the opportunity to buy IBI came up, we couldn't pass it up.”

“We love the people in the industry and we're energized by challenges. And so when the opportunity to buy IBI came up, we couldn't pass it up.”

Bruce and Stephanie Davis can be considered one of the “first families” of bowling. Industry insiders know Bruce and Stephanie as innovative marketers who have been active with individual bowling centers, national chains, manufacturers and distributors as well as industry associations and committees.

“Bruce, Stephanie, and their team have the vision and experience to reimagine the role of business-to-business publishing in bowling,” says Scott Frager. “I have worked with them for many years, and we are good friends. I know that they can talk the talk and walk the walk. They will provide a fun and informative marketing platform that will inspire, educate, and motivate everyone in the bowling business.”

Bruce is from a bowling family; his mother and father owned and operated a bowling center in Toledo, Ohio. When Bruce finished college and army service, his father asked him to help run their center’s restaurant and night club for a short time. That temporary assignment turned into full-time management with increasing responsibility for the bowling center and tournament segments also. It was the beginning of Bruce’s deep involvement with bowling.

Today Bruce is a well-known industry leader and one of bowling’s most sought-after seminar presenters. He is the creator and developer of the innovative Forty Frame Game Tournament and the hugely-popular Kids Bowl Free program. Bruce has been inducted into two Bowling Halls of Fame for marketing and is the proud recipient of BPAA’s President Medal and the V.A. Wapensky Award for significant contributions to the marketing of bowling.

Stephanie Davis is president of Davis Productions Inc. and will be the new publisher of International Bowling Industry. She has worked in the bowling industry with her husband Bruce since the early 1990s, coordinating advertising and marketing efforts for a multitude of national bowling endeavors as well as individual and chain operations. Stephanie has a diverse marketing background with significant experience as a magazine writer and publisher and is a published book author. She served for many years as tournament director of the Forty Frame Game regional and national tournaments.

Two other key members of Davis Productions are Andy and Marsha Vasko. Andy has worked with Bruce since his teen years when he started as a bus boy in their Chinese restaurant then transitioned to the center. Andy’s exceptional grassroots marketing skills led to him to a significant role with the Davis Productions Inc. team and Bruce’s marketing club Focus On Results, where he has been helping operators develop profitable streams of revenue for their businesses. Andy is well known in the industry for his ability to floor traditional and specialty leagues, tournaments, special events, and after-school busing programs. He is on the phone with operators every day and knows everyone and everything that is going on in the bowling world.

A veteran of corporate America, Marsha Vasko followed her passion for bowling and has worked exclusively in the business of bowling since 2007. Marsha enjoys working with center operators as part of her customer relations work at Kids Bowl Free and coordinator of special projects for clients of Davis Productions Inc. Marsha has worked at the center and tournament level alongside her husband Andy for many years.

Editorial director Jackie Fisher, associate publisher David Garber and office manager Patty Heath, long-time members of the IBI editorial team, will continue to guide the publication. “This will ensure a seamless customer experience for readers, advertisers and industry professionals” says Stephanie. “I have been working alongside the IBI team for the last 15 months in various positions, preparing for a smooth transition moving forward.”

A second generation of family members will also participate in the new IBI. The Davis’ daughter Natalie has been the magazine’s marketing and sales manager for over a year. The Vaskos’ son Ryan, an experienced ad agency copywriter, will contribute editorial content. The Davises also plan to include content from their many friends and associates in the industry. “We're going to be adding in some different contributors who are well-known in the industry who have important things to share. Many of them have already said that they have an idea for a story,” says Bruce.“We will also be adding an increased emphasis on digital marketing to incorporate some different things that our advertisers are telling us that they want.”

IBI has always been a valuable resource, devoting its print and web pages exclusively to “the business of bowling.” The full-time participation of the Davis’ will make IBI even more valuable. They are constantly talking to people in the business, gathering stories about what’s bringing in
customers and building business.

“What’s working is the key,” says Stephanie. “When [customers] call into our offices, or when we meet them at a trade show, it’s about what's working, whether it’s what will bring customers in or help find and keep employees or cut down costs. Everybody wants to know what's working. We look for what's working in the industry and share it with people in an engaging way.”

If you want to know what’s working in bowling, keep your eye on IBI, where “change of ownership” is a sign of bigger and even better things to come.

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