A few notebook jottings from last month's 80th annual WIBC Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada:
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Upon arriving on the floor of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center before the start of the meeting, it felt as if I was on the field before a baseball game. There was excitement and anticipation, and there even was an organist performing.Front and center was the assigned seating location for members of the press and special guests. This certainly was not the case at ABC's March convention: "Sit anywhere upstairs in the balcony," were the instructions given in Huntsville.
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WIBC President Joyce Deitch knows how to conduct a meeting. She was professional but in no way stuffy or overly formal. I immediately knew that some of the "Section 4, Paragraph 3, Line 2" types in the group had not gotten to her when, in announcing the first "10-minute" break, she requested that all try to be back in their seats no later than 15 minutes.·
Unlike ABC, WIBC at times used its large projection screen for amusement as well as information, such as during breaks to show a seated delegate and then have everyone watch the delegate's reaction upon realizing she was on camera.During one break, a delegate marched in front of a camera with one of those made-up newspaper headlines stating that a particular WIBC director had been arrested in a gambling raid. The organist caught wind of this and played a few notes from the beginning of the "Dragnet" theme and all had a good laugh. I don't ever recall seeing any fun like this during an ABC convention.
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The best thing about the gathering was the battle between Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Milwaukee, Wis., over the right to host WIBC's annual meeting and championship tournament in 2001. There were convention bureau employees everywhere, and they certainly didn't leave their enthusiasm at home.Nonetheless, to learn that Don Carter, whose fear of flying is legendary, actually got on an airplane in Florida to help boost the Fort Lauderdale effort showed that, beyond all the fun and frivolity, big bucks—tens of millions of dollars, in fact—were at stake in the bidding.
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The whole bidding contest seemed so ... democratic? Which reminds me: According to reliable sources, ABC has allowed its own past presidents to play key roles as part of previous bidding delegations before the site selection committee. How does "conflict of interest" sound? Perhaps it's time for ABC to lay open the entire process and let its delegates choose where they want to go.·
In what seemed to make great sense, then-ABC President Walt Roberson told the WIBC delegation that his organization has 115 directors and plans to restructure. WIBC currently has but 21 directors, including three directors-at-large.·
Some delegates thought that Milwaukee would have had a better shot of winning had the calendar not had the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) marked for next year and Indianapolis for 1999 (followed by Reno in 2000).·
The procedure of asking one of four prepared questions to director candidates was excellent, but unfortunately, many of the answers were vague: "I want to be part of an exciting future," said one. "I'd like to see membership grow," added another. Come on now, who wouldn't?Perhaps a delegate or two could have been permitted to ask follow-up questions. That really would have shown who was on their toes.
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I can sum up my thoughts during the legislative session in one question: Why can't some ABC and WIBC reps agree to lock themselves in a room until they can develop one rule book?·
Unlike at ABC conventions, no names/ associations of delegates addressing the floor appeared on the giant screen, nor were instructions given for delegates to pause for a few seconds before speaking. Thus, many delegates, upon hearing a faceless voice, momentarily were forced to look around the hall to find the speaker.·
A recap video reminding delegates of all that had occurred during their stay was both entertaining and informative—and something ABC certainly should consider doing next year. I have to admit that one clip showed a woman who appeared to be in her 20s, and I remember telling myself then, So there are such women here!Many of you have heard about how the television audience for pro bowling skews old. All you had to do was look out among the Reno delegation, and one was left to wonder, Who's going to replace these dedicated—but clearly aging—folks in the coming years?
WIBC's theme may be "Living the Vision," and I'm sure its officials are emphasizing the last word, but I couldn't help thinking about the first one.
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At times, a question could be asked if one was attending a religious revival or a bowling convention—the extended injections of religion during the event indeed were surprising. At least Ernest Angley would have been proud.·
Strike Ten Entertainment President and CEO Steve Ryan took pride in showing a bevy of recent television commercials that featured bowling themes, including one AT&T ad with numerous negative bowling stereotypes that left me wondering: How much of bowling's image is this guy willing to sacrifice merely to get some TV exposure?(Note to Mr. Ryan: The industry traveled this road in the 1970s and 80s with Archie Bunker, Laverne and Shirley, and even Mary Lou "At times I compete in front of the whole world, but when I want to have fun, I go bowling!" Retton. Sir, either take the high road or go home and visit that new grandkid of yours—permanently.)
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Both new Hall of Fame inductees, Carol Miller and Nikki Gianulias, gave excellent speeches. Nikki's closing was lovely: "To play the game is great. To win the game is greater. To love the game is the greatest."Bob Cosgrove, editor of BOWL Magazine, is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.