RSCVA scores a strike with ABC relationship

The American Bowling Congress is looking to maintain its healthy relationship with the city of Reno and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.

That relationship received a significant boost last week when the ABC announced that it signed a letter of intent to extend through 2016 its current contract with Reno to host ABC's national tournament at the National Bowling Stadium.

This means Reno will host the 2010, 2013 and 2016 events.

The current contract that began in 1995 was scheduled to expire after the 2007 event.

The contract awaits approval by ABC delegates, which probably will occur at the group's annual convention in Reno on March 19.

Reno is the only city that has a contract with the ABC to host the national tournament every third year.

Jeff Beckelman, president and CEO of the RSCVA, said the two sides have been in negotiations for the past six or seven months and are ecstatic to finally have a deal in place.

"The extension with ABC means a continued strong economic impact for the Reno-Tahoe region for the years to come," Beckelman said.

RSCVA officials said the contract extension until 2016 is a boon for the both the ABC and the city of Reno.

Beckelman said a national ABC tournament means an economic impact of over $125 million in revenue for the area.

The average bowler spends about $1,000 per stay in Reno, Beckelman said, and that figure doesn't include gaming.

An estimated 80,000 will make the trek to Reno during the tournament's duration.

Beckelman said the National Bowling Stadium gives Reno a distinct advantage in providing a quality facility for the ABC tournaments.

"It gives us a leg up on our competitors," Beckelman said.

"It is certainly a great place to bowl,"

The so-called "tri-properties" the Circus Circus, Eldorado and the Silver Legacy preside as event sponsor.

Rick Murdock, vice-president of sales and marketing for the Eldorado, said attracting the ABC tournament, one of the largest conventions in the world, is important for the regional economy.

"When we look back into history, Reno continues to be (the ABC's) No.

1 destination," Murdock said.

Ed Bauer, programs and production manager for the ABC, noted there are several advantages that Reno has to offer visiting bowlers.

One reason why Reno is the ABC's top destination, Bauer said, is the vastness of the 78-lane National Bowling Stadium.

It allows for more bowlers to compete at one time, something that other cities cannot boast.

At other cities, Bauer said, organizers construct bowling lanes within confines of convention centers.

Usually, the ABC is able to only construct 48 lanes in these centers.

Other advantages that Reno offers the visitors is its access to a variety of activities available within close proximity to local hotels and the stadium.

The chance to ski at Lake Tahoe, carouse Reno's downtown shop and play golf at one of Reno's 40 courses are big draws for the bowlers.

"When we come to Reno, we have some extensive outside opportunities," Bauer said.

Bauer also noted coming to Reno is non-restrictive because no pre-qualifying tournaments are required.

That's common when the event is in other cities.

"Any member can compete here, " Bauer said.

The combination of these factors is evident in the fact that when the tournament is held here that it easily draws the most teams to the area.

The 1995 event for instance, drew a record number of 17,285 teams.

The 1998 and the 2001 events each drew approximately 16,000 teams, respectively.

That is nearly 4,000 more than any other city has had in that span.

The 2004 ABC event scheduled for Reno between Feb.

14 and June 26 already has more than 13,000 teams signed up.

The ABC is hopeful for at least 17,000 teams by the start of the tournament, but Bauer said a more realistic figure would be 16,000.

The number of entrants allows the ABC to provide more than $6 million in prize money plus more than $3 million for side bowling activities such as the Bowler's Journal tournament at Starlite Lanes.

A portion of the entrance fee is used as prize money.