Charlotte Recap
I feel as though I’ve been swimming in the ocean for days. My arms are tired and my body is exhausted. I can see an island ahead. It’s not far away. I just need to muster the strength to get there… Yeah. Five more days in Dallas and I’ll actually be home for a while. I haven’t been home for more than five days since the beginning of May and it’s starting to get a little old. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE my jobs and everything I’ve been doing, but I just want to get to the island, have a few coconuts, and lay on the sand for a little while before I have to start swimming again. Five more days…
Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written. This trip was a huge learning experience for me. Between the interviews with InsidePool and the new marketing role with DELTA-13, I hardly had any free time to work on my upcoming Border Billiards article or network for myself. In between the work at the tournament and tradeshow, the other objective for my trip to Charlotte was to spend some time with my adopted Charlotte family, whom I love dearly.
Everywhere I turned was my favorite European blogger. I love and admire everything that he stands for and does for our sport. He’s such a professional and takes his job seriously. He also likes to wear cute, sparkly ties.
The finals of the tournament was on Thursday night. Some nice ice was brought in. (looks heavy!)
And I was fortunate enough to see Allen Hopkins and Pat Fleming get inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame.
There was not a dry eye in the house. I felt so honored to be a part of the whole production.
Thursday was a long one because the tradeshow kicked off at 10a.m. that morning, it finished at 6p.m., then we had to eat and head back to the tournament for the finals. After all the interviews, I didn’t get out of there until after midnight.
It was the 25th Annual BCA International Home & Recreation Expo. Vendors from all over the world traveled to Charlotte to exhibit at this event. Room owners and retailers come to check out the latest products on the market, from billiard supplies, to high end furniture, to the latest gadgets and inventions, to pool cues and cue cases. You want it? They brought it.
Speaking of BCA, if you haven’t already, make sure you sign up for the Generation Pool social networking site. It’s pretty slick.
Seriously though, don’t just create a user and never log on. Upload a photo and create a profile. It’s a Ning network, so if you’re already on another Ning network, then you don’t have to do anything but join.
Here are some of the most interesting things I saw at the show:
I got to see my my boss play some pool during and after the show. He was test-driving Allison’s new cue here.
Aramith is coming out with a new layered tip. (it “holds well the chalk” ~ cute…)
And this case for your balls which I ABSOLUTELY NEED!!! I can’t wait until this is available. (you can also get a “personalised” cue ball to help “ad” profit ~ who proofs this stuff??? I would do it in exchange for this case!!!)
My friends as CueMasters have a new ball cleaner, a 6-ball cleaner and a 16-ball cleaner. They’re quite reasonably priced too.
There’s a $220 laser rack on the marketing. Your rack will be aligned, but will it be tight? That remains to be seen. Wonder if we could make a laser DELTA-13 rack… Hhmmm…
Tony & Caroline play some table tennis.
This was my view from the InsidePool booth. Ugh…
I did a 16 minute “What’s in the case?” interview with Ralf Souquet. Wow! Can’t wait until that one comes out. He’s so cool!
Heehee. Rodney and a very relaxed Shawn.
Sterling brought some interesting cases…
And their faux Ivan.
And this was the friend I brought to work with me one morning. (You don’t see that everyday in Colorado.)
Our rack was used during the GeneratinPool.com 9 Ball Championships and we got a ton of positive feedback.
Also, see more photos from the tournament and photos from the tradeshow (I took all the ones after #4042. Fun camera!).
Okay, I need to finish my laundry and (re)pack for Dallas. Sterling hosted a really nice after party at Fox & Hound. Back with more photos from the after party (including a special visit from Nick Varner, a true gentleman).
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