Major Drop in the 2008 BCA Trade Show

The 2008 Billiard Congress of America International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo, ended up last weekend in North Carolina, underwent a huge plunge in the total number of exhibitors and visitors. The drop in numbers is attributed to the recession in the national economic in general and in the billiards industry in particular. 

The 2008 BCA trade show, closed in June 16, at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina, featured 178 exhibitions, 56 less then in the past two years. Moreover, the number of booths exhibited dropped down to 628 from 1,003 in 2007 and 1,272 at the 2006 BCA trade show held in Houston, causing a major loss to the Billiard Congress of America incomes. 

The BCA reported on more than 11,000 visitors attending this year exhibition, comparing to the 13,500 people who had visited last year's event. The number of buyers at the 2008 trade show was not revealed by the American pool organization. 

Despite the major slum in the Billiard Congress of America revenue due to the low attendance and the relatively smaller number or exhibitors, the BCA stays optimistic, hoping that "the business opportunities and relationships forged on the show floor and by participating in the Business of Billiards seminars and special events" would compensate and that next year's trade show in Las Vegas, will draw more interest both from buyers and exhibitors.