ABC renews agreement to conduct tournament at Reno’s National Bowling Stadium
RENO, Nev. — One of the most successful partnerships in bowling history will continue into the next decade. The American Bowling Congress has signed a letter of intent extension with the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (RSCVA) for the National Bowling Stadium to remain the home of the ABC Championships Tournaments in 2010, 2013, and 2016.
“The ABC Tournament is a proven commodity,” said Jack Mordini, ABC assistant executive director. “We’ve had our four largest tournaments at the Stadium and we continue to ‘over deliver.’ Back in the early ‘90s when the project first started, we had no idea that we could attract tournaments of this size even considering this is the largest sports participation event in the country. Our bowlers enjoy Reno, therefore, it only makes good business sense to continue our relationship with the community.”
According to Jeff Beckelman, president and CEO for the RSCVA, “The extension with ABC means a continued strong economic impact for the Reno-Tahoe region in the years to come. We’ve enjoyed our partnership with ABC and are thrilled that we will continue to host the event in Reno.”
The ABC Tournament has been held at the NBS every third year since 1995 when the first major event attracted a record 17,285 5-player teams. As part of the current agreement, the 2004 ABC Tournament will be conducted Feb. 14-June 27 and will return in 2007. There are already 13,500 teams signed up for the 2004 event with almost three months before the entry closing.
“This is great news for Reno and for the bowlers,” said Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. “The National Bowling Stadium remains a terrific facility for the tournaments, and Reno offers wonderful recreational and entertainment opportunities for tournament participants.”
A key part of the negotiations was the re-signing of downtown properties Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino as the event's presenting sponsors.
As was the case in the original contract, ABC delegates must approve the letter of intent. That action will take place March 19 in Reno during the ABC Annual Convention.
The 2004 event will mark the seventh time the ABC Tournament has been conducted in Reno and the fourth time at the National Bowling Stadium. In 1977, 1984 and 1990 events were conducted at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center where ABC installed new lanes on an annual basis.