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SUMMER SPORTS:
BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA PRESENTS USA NATIONAL POOL
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Table Size: 8’
Finish: Natural Oak
Pockets: Drop Leather
Sights: Diamond
Leg: Reeded Pedestal
CONTACT US DESCRIPTION
THE WASHINGTON
The Washington pool table is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, handcrafted from reeded White Oak. Its bold vertical reeding enhances the wood’s natural beauty, while the gracefully curved silhouette of the legs adds a touch of sophistication. A perfect blend of classic elegance and modern design, the Washington table makes a striking statement in any space. Reflecting the latest innovations in high-end furniture design, this table seamlessly combines timeless artistry with contemporary luxury.
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EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Keith Loria
billiardskeith@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Charles S. Donnavan
Jamie Lynch
Anthony Stoeckert
ADVERTISING
Steve Mathias steve@bca-pool.com (303) 243-5070 x124
DESIGN/LAYOUT
ART DIRECTOR
Julie Snee
julie.snee@gmail.com
BCA Board of Directors
CHAIRMAN
Jacklyn Ady, The Brunswick Billiard Group
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Wes Bond, Koda Sports
SECRETARY
Ed Liddawi, Sandcastle Billiards
TREASURER
Colby Olhausen, Olhausen Billiard Mfg.
BOARD MEMBERS
Shane Bouchard, Maine Home Recreation
Kevin Henderson, Prestige Billiards
Michael Helbig, Legacy Billiards
Bill Dunne, Championship, LLC.
OPENING LETTER
Billiard Congress of America Membership:
As the season shifts, so too does our focus for BCA: toward growth, connection and fresh opportunities. Whether it's through new initiatives, evolving leadership or reimagining how we gather and engage, this summer marks more than just a change in weather, it signals a meaningful turning point for us all.
For those of you who don’t know me yet, I’m passionate about driving innovation and elevating experiences within the billiard industry. As director of product development at Brunswick Billiards, I’ve had the opportunity to lead design strategies and create products that line up the next big shot for the game. I manage our engineering and quality teams to make sure every product hits the mark.
This year, I was honored to become the first woman elected as Chairman of the Billiard Congress of America board, a milestone I’m incredibly proud of, and one that reflects the progress we’re making across our industry.
After my first 90 days as BCA chair, I’ve realized this role is very symbolic and operational – highly visible, highly strategic and deeply relational. People want to connect, sometimes vent, and share ideas. It’s a privilege, and a vital feedback loop.
The most exciting news this summer is that we’re launching the inaugural USA National Pool Championships and USA National Wheelchair Championships! This is a huge milestone for the BCA, and I hope you’ll consider making the trip July 6-12th to Quincy, Illinois to support this landmark debut event.
As we look ahead to critical conversations about the tradeshow and the future of our industry, let’s lead not just with expertise but with a collective vision to propel the entire industry forward. Bring your company perspective but be ready to prioritize the greater good. The next era of our industry starts now.
Social media, podcasts and streaming outlets are getting a lot of attention these days, but traditional broadcast television still remains a powerful platform for advertising. According to Statista, nearly 47 percent of Americans watched at least one hour of live television each day in 2024. That’s about 170 million people, and to ignore that big an audience would be foolish.
But local businesses like independent billiard and home recreation stores and pool halls face numerous challenges when trying to get an ad on TV. Television advertising is expensive and time-consuming, but Adwave, a company that launched in September 2024, has created a program that allows small businesses to create ads using AI in just seconds for as little as $50.
By Anthony Stoeckert
INSIDE ADWAVE
David Naffis, a founder of Adwave, says small mom-and-pop businesses, likely don’t have the time to spend hours on a computer learning a video editing program or making phone calls and sending emails in search of a company that can make a quality commercial at an affordable price.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and a lot of care on making it as easy as it can be for them to make a commercial,” Naffis says. “So that they literally just get into our app, create the commercial and edit it in a very easy way just using natural language.”
Adwave uses a chat-based tool that allows users to ask it to change elements of a commercial like color, images or narration.
“So we can just use the natural language chat with their video to get what they need and then after that, it’s just basically two or three additional questions they have to answer before they purchase them and put them live on TV,” Naffis says.
Naffis is an entrepreneur who has established numerous companies, including in the television advertising space. One recent company of his built an ad server and technology for digital television. After selling that company and staying with it for a few years, he decided to start a new venture.
HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES
Naffis’ work emphasized to him that television advertising focuses largely on major brands and companies that can afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more, creating and filming ads and working with a media agency.
“It really seemed like it was completely out of reach to small businesses and small brands,” Naffis says. “And so I thought there has to be a way to basically solve that problem, to be able to open up advertising to small independent businesses that have been essentially locked out since day one. Really the only choice they’ve had up until now is to go to an agency, which charges them tens of thousands of dollars, or go to a local TV station and spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to get their ad on local television.”
So he established Adwave with the goal of developing a way to allow small businesses to quickly and affordably create
a commercial and get it on television at an affordable price. As a small business owner himself, he applied his knowledge of television advertising to create an effective way for local businesses to make their own ads.
“There is a huge market because television advertising is probably the most powerful form of advertising,” he says. “There’s a reason that big brands do it. If you look at all the studies that are done and conducted, it outperforms other forms of advertising. It’s more memorable and really, if you think about it, it makes sense. Because you’re scrolling on your phone, you’re kind of blind to everything. You don’t see ads when you’re on social media, you’re just kind of scrolling through stuff.
“But in television advertising, you are most likely sitting in your living room or in your bedroom and you are a captive audience. You’re usually with another person. You’re looking at the screen. It’s the only thing on the screen and it’s occupying all of your attention. So it is quite powerful.”
THE BENEFITS OF TV ADS
TV has changed in ways that Naffis says are beneficial to small business owners including billiard retailers. In the old days, he says, businesses would have to shoot a commercial with a local television station, which could cost $10,000. Then that small business had to spend even more money to get its commercial on the air, but the advertiser didn’t know any of the demographics of the audience watching the ad. A commercial for an upscale restaurant, for example, might be broadcast during a cartoon show watched by kids. Or an ad for a beauty parlor might be shown during a male-centric wrestling match.
“Normally it would be a media planner’s job to figure all this out, but we can’t expect a small business owner to know
all these different facets,” Naffis says. “They have a job already. They aren’t a TV advertiser or in the marketing business. Our system will automatically select those audience segments that closely align with what the business is. Our system understands through the use of AI what the business is, what products and services they sell, who their customer might be, and then using that understanding, we are able to select those audience segments. In addition to that, we’re also selecting channels that make sense. If I’m targeting a billiard enthusiast, maybe I should be targeting billiards channels, and we have access to those channels on Samsung, YouTube TV, LG, Pluto and Viacom. So across the board we have access to those channels and we would target them specifically for a billiard company.”
A GOOD FIT FOR BILLIARDS
Adwave can also use data and technology to target ads specifically to people who, for example, recently purchased a new pool table.
“You can now precisely target those individuals,” Naffis says. “I think there’s also data out there for those who have expressed interest in buying a billiards table, so you can target them with ads for those billiards tables. And then there are those who are interested in billiards, either they watch it or have subscribed to a magazine. That’s out there too and we can use that to target those individuals who we already know have an interest.”
In fact, Adwave was at this year’s BCA Expo, where representatives from the company shared a presentation on using AI to create an ad in under three minutes.
To create an ad, go to Adwave’s website (adwave.com) and enter a URL. That URL can be for your store’s website, Facebook page or Instagram profile, or even a Yelp page.
“So whatever they have put in place, we will then grab all that information,” Naffis says. “We’ll find other places where they exist. So if they do have a website, if they do have a social media presence, we find all that and then we pull all that data in. We pull in the images, we pull in the video, we pull in all the text and then from there, we analyze everything. We analyze all the images, all the text.We analyze the video –everything to get a deep understanding of their business.”
Adwave’s system then goes through its process, which takes about two or three minutes to generate an ad.
“Then we present that to the user, and then they can view it,” Naffis says. “They can edit it with that chat-based editor which is quite intuitive and easy, and we have suggestions in there. They can edit it and once they are comfortable and happy with the ad, they can go to the next step, which is telling us where they want to target the ad. They can target it nationally if it’s a company that makes pool cues, for example. But if you have a local store or pool hall, you may want to do more specific targeting. And from there, you can tell us your budget and we’ll tell you how many people we’ll reach with that budget.”
IT’S ALL ABOUT TIMING
Another step is for the business owner to provide a date range for the broadcasting of the ad. You can decide to run an ad for a certain period of time, every day for 30 days or something like that. Or you may get specific.
“Let’s say a store is having a Memorial Day sale and it wants an ad to air three or five days leading up to Memorial Day. You pop those days in and the ad is run-
ning just during those days,” Naffis says.
Next, you enter credit card information and your commercial will be ready to air.
Naffis says the reception to Adwave’s presentation at the BCA Expo was very enthusiastic.
“I think people were kind of blown away with the notion of advertising on television and that something like this is even possible,” he says. “So they were quite impressed, very enthusiastic about the possibility of it, how affordable it was, how good it looked. Some people were expressing interest and telling us, ‘Take my money, this is incredible.’”
MAKING ADVERTISING SIMPLE
Obviously, creating a commercial is an important step if you want to pursue television advertising for your store, but there’s a lot more to TV advertising because actually getting the ad on the air takes a lot of work, both in reaching out to outlets and managing a budget. Adwave takes care of all that as well.
“We’re taking it a step further and we’re actually the ones buying that media and tapping into digital television and that whole ecosystem, and we’re taking away all the complexity there,” Naffis says. “So there’s nothing that the user and the small business owner needs to do or know. We handle it all for you. All you have to do is tell us where you want to advertise and what kind of budget you want to put in.”
Adwave also provides information on a details page where the business owner can see what channels the ads have been delivered to and how much of the budget has been spent so far.
Sometimes it can seem like a new piece of technology or hot new social media platform comes around every week, and that can be hard for anyone to keep up, including older people who have been in business a long time. But Naffis says the reception from old-school businesses to Adwave has been very positive.
“Across the board, it doesn’t matter what age or demographic, people know television, they watch television, they understand television and they see television ads,” he says. “So it’s a really easy thing for them to understand. And I think that’s even more so with older generations. They grew up without social media and iPads and the internet, so they spent most of their entertainment hours watching television. They have a real good understanding of what television is and what television commercials are about. So they’re very enthusiastic about being able to advertise on television.”
Adwave is focused on making it as easy as possible for small independent businesses to advertise on television, and that is a mission that Naffis and his team take seriously.
“We’re really excited about the tech and getting small businesses on TV, but the underlying reason why doesn’t always get highlighted,” Naffis says. “There’s a reason we’re doing this. It’s not just because it’s cool. It’s not just to get on TV. It’s because of what that means for a small business. They can drive more customers, more awareness and at the end of the day, drive more customers and revenue through their door, through their online shop. Whatever it may be that they’re trying to achieve, we help them achieve their business goals at the end of the day.”
Just like television advertising is supposed to do.
Billiard Congress of America Presents the USA National
WHEELCHAIR POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS
8-Ball & 9-Ball
July 7–12, 2025 in Quincy, IL
A Look Back at the 2025 BCA EXPO
By BCA Staff
The vibrant energy of the billiard and home recreation industry converged upon the Las Vegas Convention Center for the highly anticipated 2025 BCA Expo in March. The annual event serves as a crucial touchstone for business professionals, offering a dynamic environment for showcasing the latest products, fostering invaluable connections and providing insightful educational opportunities that help shape the future of the industry.
From seasoned veterans to newcomers, the Expo floor and surrounding events buzzed with activity and a shared passion for the games and products that bring joy to countless homes and establishments.
Attendees, the lifeblood of any trade show, largely reported a positive experience at the 2025 gathering in a series of exit interviews conducted with those who were part of this year’s event.
Beth Mendoza of West State Billiard Supply says the Expo “exceeded expectations,” specifically highlighting the value of
the Predator pool table class which offered practical knowledge and skill enhancement.
Her enthusiasm for “seeing all the new products” was a sentiment echoed by many, underscoring the Expo’s role as a vital marketplace for innovation.
Veteran businessman Gordon Groff says he was “very happy to be able to meet some of his old-time vendor friends,” emphasizing the enduring relationships that form the bedrock of the industry. He also found the platform valuable for “discussing some of our industry problems with the exhibitors,” demonstrating the Expo’s function as a forum for addressing shared challenges.
The strategic decision to combine the BCA Expo with the Amusement Show continued to garner positive feedback, with Patrick Knafla, category manager for billiards and upholstery for Peters Billiards, noting it resulted in “great energy” and made the BCA show look a lot larger.
Michael Walsh of Regal Billiards provided a positive assessment, citing the “good layout; good location; good hotel; and excellent industry social” as key factors contributing to his satisfaction.
Noted instructor Jerry Briesath was happy to see that all “the correct companies showed up,” a testament to the quality and breadth of exhibitors present.
Ciarra Brother of Universal Billiards found satisfaction in the fundamental aspects of the show.
“Seeing vendors and product, as well as other dealers and friends, highlighted the dual appeal of business and camaraderie,” she says.
Lisa Douglas of Game Rooms By Design, who hadn’t attended an Expo since 2019, was thrilled to reconnect with industry partners.
Michael Rogers of Pool Table MD was very satisfied with the event, enjoying the core experience of “seeing all the new stuff and mingling with the people.”
These varied perspectives paint a picture of an expo that successfully delivered on key fronts, from product discovery and education to networking and relationship building.
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
A significant draw for many attendees were the educational seminars, offering valuable insights and practical knowledge. Mendoza’s praise for the Predator pool table class underscores the impact of well-delivered, specialized training.
Michael Small, a partner at Seasonal Specialty Store, found value in the seminars alongside the main exhibition, recognizing the importance of continuous learning.
For those who dedicated time to these sessions, satisfaction with the quality of the information was generally high according to exit surveys. The appetite for more knowledge is clear, with numerous attendees expressing a desire for an expanded educational program.
The topics of interest were diverse but often centered on practical business skills and industry advancements. Attendees like Shane Bouchard and Small expressed a strong interest in sessions covering Website SEO, Social Media, Internet Advertising and the implementation of AI, reflecting the growing importance of digital marketing in the modern business landscape.
Mendoza specifically requested “more on pool table installation” for the future, explaining she sees a need for more technical expertise at these sessions.
Walsh particularly enjoyed the sessions on Digital and Social Media Marketing and the installer seminars such as working with more difficult cloth. Chris Sewell was interested in the ecommerce session and understanding fraud risks in the digital realm better.
Briesath offered a creative suggestion for future Expos, proposing a dedicated booth with a table for instructors to advertise the PBIA and entertain the folks with trick shots, blending education with engaging demonstrations.
NEED FOR NETWORKING
The networking opportunities provided at this year’s Expo were consistently lauded by attendees. After all, the chance to connect with peers, forge new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships is a cornerstone of the BCA Expo’s value proposition.
A significant majority of attendees reported being “very satisfied” with these opportunities, indicating a successful environment for professional interaction.
The industry party, a perennial highlight, proved to be a popular gathering point. Bouchard’s enthusiastic description of the party as “awesome” reflects the positive atmosphere. Walsh simply called it “great,” a concise but powerful endorsement. Brother meanwhile appreciated the party’s location, noting its suitability for those seeking a slightly quieter space for conversation.
“The organizers hit another home run and created an absolutely fabulous atmosphere for us,” she says. That sentiment underscores the party’s success in fostering meaningful connections.
Sewell’s enjoyment of the cigars added a touch of memorable detail to the event, while exhibitor Jerry Schlitz also found the party to be fun and noted that “the attendance was more than I had anticipated,” suggesting it was a well-attended and engaging event for both attendees and exhibitors.
Exhibitors who invested significantly in their presence at the Expo also reported positive outcomes and satisfaction with key aspects of the event. The fundamental goal of connecting with customers and industry personnel was achieved for many, as highlighted by Eric Weber from Cuestix, and John Greybill and Brian Igielski from GLD, who all gave the Expo high marks in their exit surveys.
Among the positive signs of the Expo were buyers spending money and many were optimistic about the year ahead – nice things to hear with the economic problems that the country is experiencing so far in 2025.
Chuck Chvala from Viking Cue notes that “face time with everyone is always one of the best parts” of the Expo, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of in-person interactions. Schlitz felt a positive energy in the attendees, a crucial factor for exhibitors seeking engagement.
Nick Maser from Mueller’s Billiard and Dart Supplies, says he viewed the “continued merge with the coin-operators” as a beneficial development for the industry.
Others enjoyed the general membership meeting where they had the opportunity to learn more about the organization and the benefits of the business.
Looking towards the future, the sentiment among attendees and exhibitors is largely optimistic, with a strong indication of intent to return for the 2026 BCA Expo. The prospect of reconvening in Las Vegas next March holds appeal for many. Nash Gilchrist of Nashville Billiard and Patio’s enthusiastic declaration that he had a “great time and can’t wait to see
what’s in store for next year!” encapsulates the forward-looking excitement.
Groff echoed this positive outlook, reflecting on the direction of the event, saying he believes the BCA is “defiantly going in the right direction” offering a vote of confidence in the organizers’ efforts.
While the focus of this account is on the positive aspects, it is important to acknowledge that the surveys also contained valuable feedback regarding areas for improvement. These suggestions, while not detailed here, provide a roadmap for the BCA to further enhance the expo experience in the future, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
One thing was clear by the attendee’s exit interviews – the 2025 BCA Expo in Las Vegas successfully brought together the billiard and home recreation community. Attendees and exhibitors alike found value in the opportunities for product discovery, education and networking.
The positive feedback regarding the educational seminars, the industry party and the overall atmosphere underscores the Expo’s importance as a vital annual gathering. With a strong indication of intent to return in 2026, the BCA Expo continues to serve as a cornerstone event for the industry, fostering growth, innovation and enduring relationships.
FURNITURE FOR THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
Featuring: Real maple & oak hardwood
Multiple finishes and coverings available
Choose from different sized tables to fit your needs
Kestell’s own Sur-Loc leg mechanism for safety and stability
Matching wooden folding chairs are available and sold separately
P.O. Box 176 | 1311 Milwaukee Dr. New Holstein, WI 53061 (920) 898-4251
Billy Thorpe has been playing pool ever since he was around 2 years old, when his father sawed off a cue and put his son on the family pool table, thus allowing him to knock balls into the pockets. But Thorpe started to realize just how good he was at pool through another sport.
You see, Thorpe played football as a kid, growing up in Dayton Ohio, and his parents were pretty serious billiard players. In fact, the Thorpe home had three tables, and everyone in the family played. The family's house became a popular destination for Billy's football teammates, and whenever they played pool, Billy pretty much always won, and not just against his fellow youngsters.
By Anthony Steockert
“I would beat everybody,” Thorpe says. “I was, like, 9 and 10 years old, and I was beating all my coaches and obviously all my friends. The only people I couldn’t beat were my mom and dad, so it was cool. I think my dad saw some potential there.”
That potential has developed into fullfledged talent and tremendous success, as Thorpe, at the age of 28, has earned a reputation as one of the game’s best bankers. He is a two-time Mosconi Cup champion and won his first World Nine Ball Tour Ranking event title in 2023 with a victory at the McDermott Classic. He followed that up with a win at the Battle of Bull.
But that isn’t to say that Thorpe hasn’t dealt with some challenges.
GETTING STARTED
For Thorpe to get to where he is, he had a lot of encouragement and help from family and friends. Thorpe credits his father for a big part of his success, as he started taking him to junior tournaments, where Billy thrived. By the time he was 16, he was playing professionally.
“I was traveling around with one of my friends from Dayton,” Thorpe says. “He was older and had his license, so he would drive us around. Obviously, he knew my
parents and my parents knew him, so they trusted him. We went around on the road together and I never looked back and I kept getting better and better.”
It would seem that Thorpe had a natural knack for the game, but talent needs to be nurtured. He worked hard and spent a lot of time playing pool, and really kicked it into high gear when he was 18 and 19, which resulted in him making the Marconi Cup when he was 20.
“That was amazing,” Thorpe says. “It was obviously a dream of mine. I was always watching at home, watching Shane [Van Boening] and all the players. I felt like I could beat those players that I was seeing on TV. I just had to put my mind to it and work hard at it. And sure enough, I think it was 2017, my first year; that was the year I won my first one-pocket championship at the Derby City Classic. And I just kind of started playing really well and started getting better and better and I finally made the team. Then I ended up making it for I
you’re playing. I think we are addicted to that, just trying, because pool is so random. It’s just awesome, that’s for sure. And then when you win, it just makes it that much better.”
SETBACKS AND SUCCESS
As someone who grew up around pool and whose talent was recognized at such a young age, Thorpe takes great pride in his success, and it’s something he doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s meant the world to me,” he says. “It was always a dream. And then once I made it into reality, it was just amazing. And I’m still out here, trying to keep it a reality. It’s a lot tougher nowadays, but I mean, that’s just how it goes.”
The reason it has been tougher these days is because Thorpe was suspended from World Pool-Billiard Association
got drug tested. So I’m like, ‘This is freaking crazy.’”
Then word of the trouble started to spread on the internet.
“It wasn’t making me feel bad or anything, but it was kind of [crappy] because everybody on the internet made it seem like I was a heroin addict or a crackhead or something,” Thorpe says. “And I’m like, ‘Man, what is going on right now? These people don’t know that you can literally go into Vegas, and anyone can go in and get weed and smoke it?’ Even back in high school, people go through party stages, but I was always about playing pool. I smoked every blue moon, every now and then, but I wasn’t a pothead, and it was just one of those times that I smoked and I ended up getting drug tested the next day. It was bad luck on my end.”
The timing was especially bad, because Thorpe felt he was playing the best pool of his life. He had made the
“I told myself I’m not drinking anymore, so this coming October, it will be two years since I even had a drink,” Thorpe says. “That’s why it was so cool to win the Battle the Bull, because two years ago, at the Battle of the Bull, I got in a little trouble, mainly just because I was drunk or whatever. And then the next year after that, I came back and I hadn’t drank for a whole year since that event and I ended up winning the event. So that meant a lot to me.”
ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL
It would seem that Thorpe has bounced back from his setbacks. Less than halfway through 2025, he ranked seventh on the AZB money board with $38,100, including first-place finishes at the 2025 Bayou State Classic 9-Ball and the Bank Pool Showdown, along with second-place finishes at the Derby City Classic 2025 Banks Ring Game and the 2025 Bayou State Classic One Ball One Pocket.
“I put my foot down and kind of got hard on myself and told myself to start taking pool a lot more seriously and treat it like a job,” Thorpe says. “Ever since I started doing that, I’ve been working with
Johan a little, trying to get back in full swing and earn my way on the Mosconi Cup, rather than just barely making it. And not only that, just winning tournaments for myself–not just to make the Mosconi Cup, but because it just feels good. I know I’m a champion and I know I’m capable of beating anybody. But I’ve had a really great start to the year. There’s been a couple tournaments where I haven’t done well, but I’m not going to do well in every single one of them. I don’t think anyone is. But this year has been really good.”
The year has also seen him win tournaments in Louisiana and a third-place finish at the Beasley Open.
“I won the Bank Pool Showdown out here in Vegas,” Thorpe says. “My goal now is to do better overseas. I kind of struggle overseas. I have trouble sleeping and stuff, so I have to get my mind right and kind of figure out how to overcome that and start playing better overseas. And I think I’ll have a really good year this year.”
REDISCOVERING HIS PASSION FOR POOL
Thorpe isn’t likely to take his re-found success for granted, because his time not playing pool wasn’t easy.
“I was kind of lost, because I’m used to going out and playing,” he says. “I was kind of the face of American pool with Shane and Skyler [Woodward]. It was heartbreaking, because everybody on Facebook, which I don’t pay attention to the social media anyway, but they’re making it out to seem like I’m a drug addict or something like that. And my mom and my dad are both commenting back to these people, ready to kick their asses, because these people are talking about their son, all because I smoked a joint. It was kind of a rough patch there that I went through in my life, but I’m over it now and I’m back on good times.”
He’s also appreciative of mentors who have helped him, including Van Boening.
“He took me under his wing when I was like, 15 years old,” Thorpe says. “I’ve always looked up to him my whole life. I try to follow his footsteps and learn as much as I can from him. So he’s the main one that I’ve always looked up to and am definitely trying to follow his footsteps, if I can.”
Thorpe also takes great pride in his sponsorships, including Mutual Cues, his primary sponsor.
“They’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career,” he says. “That’s for sure.”
He’s also partnered with Boynton Billiards in Florida. “They’re great people and I’m excited to work with them too,” he says. “And also, Shane, Sky and I just bought the clothing company, Action 24/7, together. So, that’s my other sponsor.”
Thorpe’s goals for the year include making the Mosconi Cup and advancing on the rankings for the World NineBall Tour.
“I think two years ago, I was in like in 60-something place in the world, and as of today, I’m ranked 32nd,” he says. “So I’ve really got my rankings up within the last two years and really been focusing on playing better and doing better, not only on the pool table, but in my life.”
Billy Thorpe has proven himself to not only be an excellent pool player, but also a persistent person who is determined to succeed. The thing about pool, is that there is always something to strive for, another goal to focus on and accomplish. And for Thorpe, one of those goals is winning a major.
“I would love to win the U.S. Open or something one day,” he says. “That would be amazing.”
Billiard Congress of America Presents the Inaugural
USA NATIONAL
POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 6–12, 2025 in Quincy, IL
Men’s 9-Ball & 10-Ball: July 6-9
Women’s 8-Ball & 10-Ball: July 8-12
USA National Champions earn the right to represent the USA in the next WPA World Championships in their division!
JUNIOR NATIONAL POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 7-12, 2025 in Quincy, IL 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball, and Straight Pool
National Junior Champions Crowned
BEF Opening Letter
Welcome to the 2025 37th Annual BEF Junior National Championships. I am excited to see all of our Junior Athletes come together for this event. The dedication and perseverance that you show in this sport are inspiring to behold. To all our parents, family members, and coaches, thank you for all you do to support our BEF Junior Athletes!
Every year our vision for this tournament is to provide a competitive tournament that fosters sportsmanship, camaraderie, the creation of new friendships, and a celebration of academic excellence. This year is no different. Every player exudes a sense of professionalism that blows my mind. From our youngest players to our oldest juniors, you are a testament to the future of this great sport.
Billiard Education Foundation believes in the power of education. Not just in our sport, but also through academic excellence. In an effort to help our Junior Athletes achieve their academic goals, scholarships are awarded to our champions in each 10-ball division and in the 18U divisions. We are honored to award the Michael Ripici scholarship to our female champions each year. New this year is the Jayden Liu Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a high school junior, or senior, that shows academic excellence, sportsmanship, and community involvement.
Thank you to all of our BEF Junior State Hosts for the wonderful tournaments you hold throughout the year that allow our athletes to qualify for free entries to this prestigious tournament. We couldn’t do this without your support and participation.
I would also like to thank our Event Sponsors for your generous contributions that make this event one to remember. This year we have four events available to our Junior Athletes. 10-Ball World Qualifier - sponsored by Iwan Simonis; 9-Ball - sponsored by Diamond; 8-Ball - sponsored by Lucasi; and 14.1 - sponsored by Bull Carbon. Our sponsors also include: J. Pechauer, Aramith, Brunswick, GMPA, Master Chalk, Outsville, Tiger Products, JamUp Apparel, Kamui, Olhausen, Championship, Meucci, Fort Worth Billiards, Oakley-Lindsay Center, Quincy CVB, Viking, Atlas, Legacy, Pool Dawg, Billiard Digest, AZ Billiards, Rack Daddy’s, Dr. Dave, Maine Home Recreation, McDermott, Jay Helfert, Predator, and Bullseye Billiards. Thank you all for supporting the future of billiards.
I applaud our Junior Athlete’s accomplishments and wish you all luck on the tables.
Myrriah Pierson
BEF Program Director
ATTRACTIONS IN QUINCY
Villa Kathrine
This stunning villa serves as a historic house museum, offering guided tours and views of the Mississippi River.
John Wood Mansion
Step back into the 19th century with a visit to the mansion built by Quincy’s founder, John Wood.
Quincy Museum
Housed in the historic Newcomb-Stillwell Mansion, the museum features exhibits on local history, natural history, and decorative arts.
Gardner Museum
Explore this beautifully restored building showcasing exhibits on architectural styles, history, and design.
All Wars Museum
Located on the Illinois Veterans Home campus, this museum honors veterans and displays artifacts from various American conflicts.
Riverside Park
Perfect for a leisurely walk, picnic, or sports, this scenic park along the Mississippi River offers playgrounds, trails, and stunning views.
Mark Twain Casino
Just a short drive from Quincy, enjoy gaming, dining, and entertainment at this popular casino destination.
Quincy Art Center
Immerse yourself in the local arts scene with rotating exhibitions, workshops, and community events.
Best of luck to all of the athletes at the 37th annual BEF
Junior National Pool Championships!
• Lucasi LUX52 Pool Cue
• FUZE Kielwood Carbon Fiber InFUZED Solid Shaft
2024 WPA World Junior 10-Ball Championships,
New Zealand
2024 Defending Champions
Michael J. Repici Memorial Scholarship
Just for the GIRLS
The Michael J. Repici scholarship award is awarded annually to three young, female pool players at BEF Junior National Pool Championships. This scholarship is awarded to the top-place finishers in the 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 14.1 and 10-Ball divisions. This performance incentive-based scholarship is intended to help these young pool players with their expenses for competing in these events and encourage them to continue to strive for excellence in the sport that Michael loved and endlessly worked to promote and grow.
$500 awarded to the 8-Ball, 9-Ball and 14.1 Division Champions
$1,000 awarded to the 10-Ball Champion
2024 Winners: Sofia Mast and Jordan Helfery
Laura and Micheal J. Repici
CLEAN LINES | COASTAL CURVES
INTRODUCING THE OCEANSIDE BY OLHAUSEN BILLLIARDS WHERE TIMELESS PLAY MEETS SEASIDE STYLE. MADE IN USA.
Shown with Matte Sweet Honey finish on Oak
Academic All Americans
Lukas Albin
Logan Albright
Payton Bernard
Siyu (Steven) Chen
Brayden Cooper
Alexander Dobbin
Landyn Downs
Darcy Dredge
Marissa Du
Kennedy Dunn
Savannah Easton
Hayden Ernst
Kolt Foster
Davin Greene
Jakob Guevara
Jordan Helfery
Kaden Herrbach
Aurora Hestness
Kaden Hillman
Logan Hisel
Ayden Kortage
Egan Lambert
Anthony Marshall
Sofia Mast
Gavin Mathew
Dalton Nelson
Jossalyn Nelson
Kaito Okumura
Nathan Owen
Angie Panora
Shane Petrick
Ezra Seymour
Ben Stuns
Tiffany Tang
Grayson Vaughn
Tanvee Vellum
Eddie Vonderau
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
One-on-One with HAYDEN “MAV MAN” ERNST
By Charles S. Donnavan
At just 14 years old, Hayden “Mav Man” Ernst from Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the most exciting players in Juniors.
In the short time that he has been playing pool, Ernst has racked up win after win, including making an eye-popping showing at the Billiard Education Foundation’s annual Junior Championships last year when he captured the 14U Heyball Title, 14U 9-Ball Title, 16U 8-Ball Title and 16U 10-Ball Title.
That incredible showing earned him a trip to New Zealand for the World Junior Championships, where he made it to the quarter finals, losing to the eventual winner of the tournament, Estonia’s Revo Maimre.
BCA Insider recently sat down with Ernst to talk about his burgeoning career and future in the sport.
What drew you to pool? How did you first get involved with the sport?
My grandparents always had a table at their house, and one day when I was 7 years old, I asked about it and my grandfather started teaching me.
BCA Insider: Did you take to it right away? How would you describe your talent level when you first started?
I was decent. I progressed as we kept practicing, but I was pretty good quickly. I played my grandpa and my dad shot a little bit, and they both saw that I had good skills for someone so young.
How did you go from playing at your grandparents’ house to competing in tournaments?
My first tournament happened when I was 8, and that took me to the Nationals in St. Louis. I played there, and from that experience, I just started shooting in other Junior events. Things just felt natural to me, so I was never nervous about playing. I really enjoyed going out there and playing other people.
What were some of your notable wins when you were starting out?
When I was 10, I was playing one of the Junior National Championship stops and I won that tournament and that really boosted my confidence and I started winning a lot more.
How often do you play and practice? What’s a typical week like for you?
Usually 2-3 hours on weekdays, except Wednesdays when I usually play about six hours. On the weekends, usually 5-6. I play my dad and a lot of it is just pattern play and practicing shots.
What do you do with all the trophies and plaques you win at tournaments? Do you have a place for all your mementos?
I keep everything and a lot are on my walls at home.
Do you find yourself playing a lot of the same people, and is it a friendly environment?
Everyone is competing hard and trying to win, but it’s also a friendly environment amongst the players. We’re all friends off the table. We do play a lot of the same people.
You get to travel a lot with these tournaments; do you enjoy that?
I’ve been to Puerto Rico, Austria and New Zealand and a lot of U.S. states and it’s always really interesting to see new places. I definitely like traveling.
Who do you look up to in the sport? Who are your heroes?
Shane Van Boening and Fedor Gorst are my top two. Fedor lives close to where I live so I’ve played with him a lot. I got to play Shane also.
What are your future plans in the billiard world?
I’m definitely going to continue playing. I’m going to go towards being a pro and see how good I can get.
What’s life like outside of the billiard world for you? What else do you do for fun?
School takes up most of my other time, but in my spare time, I like to watch Kentucky basketball and other sports. My school friends don’t play pool at all so we find other things to do.
Who are your sponsors?
Cuetec, Mako Tips, Level Up Junior Billiards, Onboard Sportswear, Railyard Billiards & Sports Pub and Railbirds Cue Repair & Pro Shop.
Junior Champion JORDAN HELFERY Is A Rising Star On The Billiards National Stage
By Jamie Lynch
At 13 years of age, Jordan Helfery is already making a big name for herself in the billiard world. After securing a championship victory in the 2025 Ultimate Pool USA Arizona Mixed Pairs Shootout, alongside partner and mentor Dave Matlock, Helfery has no plans to slow down.
A career in pool was never thought to be in the cards for Helfery. It wasn’t until a house flood in 2020 forced her family to move in with her grandmother when she discovered a love of the game.
“We ended up moving to my grandma’s basement. And since all my stuff flooded, there was a pool table down there,” Helfery says. “While they were rebuilding the house, I just started playing on that. And that’s really how I started.”
While the circumstances were unfortunate, Helfery’s mother describes the flood as a “blessing in disguise.” After Helfery picked up that first cue, she never looked back.
It wasn’t until recently when Helfery decided to take her talents to the next level, enrolling in competitions across the country. She recalls one of her first tournaments in which she was the only junior among a field of 48 adults. Despite her youth and relative inexperience, Helfery emerged victorious.
“They had to kick me out from playing as a four because I was too good when I just started,” she says. “That was really my first tournament I ever played in. I just started out small and slowly got bigger as time went on.”
Since then, Helfery has amassed multiple titles in the sport, including two Junior National Championships. In 2024, she snagged the title in both 14.1 and 9-ball. She also boasts a VNEA International championship win in the 15U girls division, and a gold medal in the 19U 2024 Junior American Series.
Though Helfery continues to rack up hardware, she takes nothing for granted and relishes every opportunity she gets to play among the best in the sport. Going to the WPBA and observing and learning from professionals has been incredibly rewarding for Helfery, as she sees competing with these players an accomplishment unto itself.
Most recently, Helfery participated in the 2025 Ultimate Pool USA Mixed Pairs tournament in Mesa, Arizona. Alongside partner and billiard legend Matlock, Helfery earned a firstplace finish. The duo took down defending champions Justin Bergman and Tina Larsen in the final to capture the title.
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Though finding much success, Helfery once again remained humble, soaking in the opportunity to compete at the national level rather than basking in the spotlight.
“I was just excited to be there, going through some really good teams,” she says. “I was worried about doing my best and just giving it all I’d got. That’s really what it’s all about, just having fun while playing.”
Though Helfery was a large contributor to the success of the pair, she acknowledges the major impact Matlock had and attributes much of her success to his experience and skill.
“He’s really a legend of the game,” she says. “He’s so good, he has so much knowledge, and it’s really a privilege to be able to play with him.”
Helfery is never intimidated by the age gap she may face between herself and her teammates or competitors. Notwithstanding the 58-year difference between her and Matlock, Helfery views the generational divide as a challenge.
“It causes you to learn and get more experience,” she says. “With the WPBA, for instance, you get experience playing with these top pros. It’s important for a future in pool, and I really enjoy it.”
Aside from Matlock, Helfery has derived a lot of technical skills and enhanced her love of pool through watching Shane Van Boening. The WPA World 9-ball champion and five-time U.S. Open 9-ball champion has served as an inspiration for her, as she has found success in mimicking certain aspects of his game.
LIFE OUTSIDE OF POOL
When away from the table, Helfery finds herself juggling schoolwork with practice. She transitioned to remote learning for seventh grade in order to accommodate her busy schedule and help promote success in both billiards and her education. The state of Missouri, where Helfery resides, offers a schooling program called Launch that allows her to balance the two.
Helfery has always been a competitive person. And though her life now revolves around pool, it was actually basketball that sparked her athletic career. At six years old, her mother would often marvel at her dribbling abilities. Describing her daughter as a “perfectionist,” Helfery’s mother notes that her daughter’s passion for shooting hoops was strong until she discovered pool. Whether it be on the court or at the table, two things that have remained constant are Helfery's strong work ethic and will to succeed.
THE ROAD AHEAD
As Helfery’s young career continues to evolve, the best is yet to come for the rising star. At the time of writing, she was set to compete in the WPBA Olhausen Raxx Mezz New York Invitational in Hempstead. Though it will be another tournament that spans multiple age groups, Helfery didn’t diminish the impact junior pool has had on her and the importance it serves in growing the game.
“Juniors is definitely the future of pool,” she says. “It’s always good to have tournaments for us, to be able to get out there and get our names out. It’s important for all of us.”
Since Helfery made her debut in pool some five years ago, she has gone by the nickname “Dead Shot.” After a local dubbed her the moniker at one of Helfery’s tournaments, she has certainly lived up to it. As a premier sharpshooter in the billiards realm, Helfery hopes to keep improving with each competition she partakes in.
Helfery thanks her sponsors – Olhausen PoolTables, J. Pechauer Custom Cues, Eric Nelson with Team Straight Pool Eye, JamUp Apparel, Ultimate Pool USA, and Level Up Junior Billiards –for their continued support along her journey.
“I’m just trying to keep doing my best,” she says. “I try to keep winning as many titles as I can and try to get a higher ranking in the WPBA, and just keep hitting those milestones. It’s really fun. It’s a challenge. I just fell in love with it ever since I first started playing.”
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PARTICIPATION BY AGE
NSGA Sees Rise in BILLIARD PARTICIPANTS
By BCA Insider Staff
Each year, the National Sporting Goods Association unveils reports looking at sports participation and demographics for around 50 sports and recreational activities, and the 2025 edition revealed some interesting numbers about who is playing billiards.
According to this year’s numbers, approximately 22,529,000 people participated in billiards in some form or another, and high-income singles and high-income families comprised the highest percentages.
The number of players was an increase of nearly 5 percent compared to last year, showing the rising popularity of the sport. While people 25-54 represent the highest number of players, youngsters 7-11 and those in the 55-64 group are both on the rise.
See some of the eye-opening charts about billiards in the U.S.
PARTICIPATION BY INCOME
PARTICIPATION BY U.S. REGION PARTICIPATION
Kaylee McIntosh is a RISING STAR
Kaylee McIntosh is in her fourth year as a WPBA Touring pro and is currently ranked in the top 10 on the WPBA points list. She is the third-highest ranked American player on tour, behind only Allison Fisher and April Larson.
She credits her career to her upbringing, where she learned about the sport at a young age.
“My parents and grandparents were the ones who introduced me to bil-
By Keith Loria
liards,” she says. “They had been involved in billiards for a long time and even owned a few pool rooms before I was born. My grandpa traveled around with Buddy Hall back in the day, staking him in money matches around the country.”
When McIntosh was around 13, her parents brought her to the pool room because Hall was matching up with someone and her grandpa was staking him, so they stopped by to watch.
“That was the first time I picked up a cue and that is where my billiards journey began,” McIntosh said. “From about 13 to around 16, I was just playing around with my mom a few times a week.”
Then she learned about the BEF Junior National Championship and suddenly her feelings for the sport changed.
“In the beginning, pool was just a hobby for me. However, I have always been
a competitive person, so when I found out about BEF Junior Nationals, that sparked my competitive tendencies,” McIntosh says. “I would say that BEF is when I shifted from playing pool as a hobby to playing pool competitively.”
She won a qualifier spot to attend Junior Nationals twice before she aged out. McIntosh continued to play local tournaments as well as a regional ladies tour in Florida – the Tiger Florida Tour.
“It was on the Tiger Florida Tour where I was able to win a qualifier spot for a WPBA tournament that took place in 2021,” she says. “That is when my career as a professional player began.”
She remembers her first-ever WPBA event fondly, competing against Brittany Bryant.
“I believe she was ranked No. 2 at that time, and she was so welcoming,” McIntosh says. “She ended up beating me, but during the match I noticed she was breaking great and getting nice layouts, so after the match I asked her for some tips on breaking and without hesitation she explained to me what she was doing on the break. She was a really nice introduction into the WPBA for me.”
Another person she looks up to in the sport is Efren Reyes.
“Everyone knows him as one the best,” she says. “I love that he is so carefree and how he carries himself around the table. He just has fun when he plays, and I think he is the type of player that a lot of people should look up too.”
MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF
Some of McIntosh’s most notable victories in pool consist of multiple Tiger Florida Tour wins, along with taking home the top prize at other local events.
“However, I would say some of my bigger accomplishments would include some of my high finishes on the WPBA, including multiple fourth-place finishes along with a third-place finish at the WPBA DR Pool Classic in December of 2023,” McIntosh says. “Also, I was able to reach the ranking of No. 8 on the WPBA my very first year on tour. I am still in search of my first pro win, but I am not stressing about the uncontrollable and just enjoying the ride.”
While she notes she hasn’t had many big wins recently, she has managed to win quite a few times on the Tiger Florida Tour in the past year.
“I am always grateful for the opportunity to play whether it be a big event or local tournament,” McIntosh says.
Still, she feels the Tiger Florida Tour had a big part in her preparation for the WPBA.
“There are many WPBA players that play on the Tiger Florida Tour, so every event is a nice warm-up for the WPBA,” McIntosh says. “Tiger Florida Tour events were a good way for me to compare my game to those who were already competing on the WPBA. I also had to compete among them and outright earn my qualifier spot into my first WPBA event. It is really great to look back on my first Tiger Florida Tour event and see how much I have grown in the sport. It is really eye opening to see how far I have come.”
McIntosh feels the biggest challenge female players face in professional billiards is stereotypes.
“There are still some people out there that objectify women and do not think women are capable of competing with the men,” she says. “We are having to prove ourselves over and over again.”
One thing she does feel is a boon for women is the Juniors program, which champions young women and celebrates their playing.
“Juniors are a major part of any sport, but when you compare junior programs from other sports to billiards, there are far less,” McIntosh says. “I think it is very important for the future of billiards to have junior programs in the U.S. We see that the rate of juniors in billiards is growing, but if we were able to have the programs and resources in the U.S. that other sports and countries have, imagine the growth you would see.”
STAYING STRONG
When preparing for events, McIntosh tries to practice a little more than usual, focusing on gaining confidence in her game before going into the event.
“Other than maybe some extra hours of practice, my routine stays pretty normal between working, practicing, exercising and eating right,” she says. “When practicing, if I notice I am struggling on a certain aspect of my game, I will focus on that until I feel that issue is solved. I am trying to be repetitive and build confidence in both my physical and mental game, so that when the time comes, I do not have to think about what I am doing, I can let my subconscious do the work I have trained for.”
She appreciates the mental and physical challenges that pool offers and is thrilled to be part of such an amazing game.
“I love the people that pool has brought into my life and the places it has taken me,” McIntosh says. “It is such a fun atmosphere to be a part of, and I am grateful for everything pool has brought me.”
Currently, McIntosh’s sponsors are Iron City Billiards, No Quit Apparel, TeamStraightPoolEye and Meucci.
“I am super happy and grateful to get the opportunity to represent the Meucci brand,” she says. “I love that I am able to represent an American brand that has been involved in the billiard world for quite some time. They make exceptional cues that not only look great but play great too. My mom’s first cue was a Meucci that she purchased herself when she was a teenager and she still has that cue today. I love the Meucci brand and what they bring to the billiard industry.”
When not playing pool, McIntosh loves being outdoors, fishing, golfing, mountain biking and enjoying time with her family and friends.
“Golfing has always been a huge part of my life, as I have been playing since I was 4,” she says. “I have a lot of experience and knowledge in the game of golf, where as pool I learned most
of what I know from YouTube videos. So, I like to use what I know from golf and correlate it into pool. It may seem weird to say that, but I believe there are a lot of physical and mental similarities between the two sports, and it helps me to compare the two.”
LOOKING FORWARD
While she does not know what her next few years on the tour will look like, McIntosh would love to have some victories under her belt as well as reach the No. 1 spot in rankings.
“However, I am not going to stress over the future. I am focusing on the present and if the victories come, great and if not, I am not going to dwell on it,” she says. “I am just looking forward to having some fun on the pool table.”
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CHALK TALK Billiards Industry Buzz
By BCA Staff
Jayson Shaw Sets New Record
On Jan. 6, at the Legends of Pocket Billiards High Run Exhibition in Lorton, Virginia, Jayson Shaw set a new straight pool high run record with 832 consecutive balls pocketed, surpassing his previous record of 669.
His record-breaking run lasted nearly three hours and 40 minutes and the BCA confirmed the record, which saw Shaw pocket 832 consecutive balls before missing the seventh ball in the 60th rack.
“I consider this one of the greatest accomplishments of my life,” Shaw says. “It’s incredibly meaningful to break this record, especially after everything I’ve been through while playing straight
BCA Elects Chair, Jacklyn Ady
The Billiard Congress of America has elected Jacklyn Ady (Brunswick Billiards Group) for a one-year term as BCA Board Chairman.
"It is a great honor to be elected as the first woman Chairman of the Billiard Congress of America,” she says. “I am grateful for the trust my peers have placed in me, and I look forward to collaborating with the board and BCA staff to advance our mission. With the positive momentum from our members, a healthier financial outlook, and industry growth in the sport we all
love, I am inspired by the passion and creativity our team brings. Together, we are ready to take the next step for the association, and I’m genuinely excited to help lead this journey forward.”
Furthermore, one-year terms were given to seated officers vice chairman Wes Bond; group secretary Ed Liddawi and treasurer Colby Olhausen.
Other directors include Shane Bouchard; Maria Martinez-Trent; Kevin Henderson; Bill Dunne and Micheal Helbig.
pool. This run was very personal for me, and I look forward to the challenge of breaking 1,000 balls in the future.”
For his record-breaking feat, Shaw used his JFlowers MVP Cue on a 4.5’ x 9’ Brunswick Gold Crown I pocket billiards table, featuring green Simonis 760 tournament cloth, with 4.9” corner pockets and 5.3” side pockets. He played with Aramith TV Tournament pool balls, utilizing a perma-rack and a standard 14.1 outline on the cloth.
The BCA has created a guideline document that establishes the parameters and standardizes all future straight pool high run record attempts.
Kristián Mrva Shines in Prague, Wins Dynamic Billard Best of the East Tournament
In May, Slovakian pool star Kristián Mrva delivered an impressive performance to claim victory at the second event of the 2025 Dynamic Billard Best of the East pool series, held at Prague’s Lucky Ball Club.
The nearly 21-year-old emerged as champion among a strong field of 82
competitors representing seven nations: Romania, Poland, Georgia, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine.
Mrva’s journey to gold was anything but easy. In the group stage, he was pitted against top-tier players, including Junior World Championship medalist
Jakub Chrobot. But the Slovak prodigy rose to the occasion, winning all three of his matches to advance confidently into the knockout rounds.
The medal zone saw Mrva continuing his winning streak, including a significant victory over Slovak pool legend Jaroslav Polach and Czech player Michal Gavenciak. In the semi-finals, he faced Polish contender Mariusz Skoneczny from Fortis Kielce, securing a 7:5 win in a tightly contested battle.
The final saw Mrva go head-to-head with Dominik Jastrząb, where he maintained his momentum and composure to clinch the gold medal, solidifying his place as one of the most promising young players in European pool. Skoneczny and Czech player Jaroslav Tichý shared the bronze medals.
The Dynamic Billard Best of the East series is supported by key sponsors such as Dynamic Billard Company, Iwan Simonis, Kamui, Aramith, and Cuetec.
International Instructors Summit On Tap for Quincy
The 3rd Annual International Instructors Summit will take place at the Atrium Convention Center in Quincy, Illinois, July 9-12, bringing together certified pool instructors, industry experts and enthusiasts from around the country.
The summit will run in conjunction with two major cue sports events: the 2025 BEF Junior National Pool Championships and the 2025 USA National Pool Championships.
Open for registration online, the fourday event promises a comprehensive program designed to empower instructors, promote growth in the sport, and pro-
vide a unique networking opportunity for professionals in the billiards community.
Attendees can look forward to expert-led presentations focused on business development and instructional strategies; special guest appearances from leading voices in the billiards industry; interactive Q&A sessions with all presenters; and access to live competition, featuring the nation’s top junior and professional players vying for national titles in their respective divisions.
Instructors certified by the Professional Billiard Instructors Association (PBIA) can also count all summit presentations
toward their required teaching hours, making this both an educational and credential-enhancing opportunity.
The event aims to not only support professional development but also foster a deeper connection between instructors and the broader competitive pool community.
Online registration is now open at www.billiardsummit.com/registration, and early sign-ups are encouraged as space may be limited.
