On average, between 50 and 60 bowling centres are opened every year in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. On average, each one has 13 to 14 alleys. The cost of the equipment per alley (bowling balls, pins, etc.) can amount to 30,000 euros. Added to this are the investments for catering facilities, furniture and other equipment as well as the costs for installing the bowling alleys. A not insignificant investment, which can well be profitable, since the interest in bowling continues unabated.

Sufficient reason for more space to be provided for the bowling sector, in future, by the IMA. In cooperation with the trade journal Bowling Business, Bowling World 2009 will be held for the very first time in parallel with the trade fair for amusement and vending machines. On the four days of the fair, manufacturers and service providers from the bowling industry and bowling-associated sectors will present their products and concepts. In addition, there will be a seminar on the topic of “Bowling as an investment”, in which the ba-Bowling Agency, will provide invaluable expertise. The presentation provides information on all aspects con-cerning the planning of a bowling centre: From the choice of a suitable location, checklists for the most important preparations, the planning and details of all relevant types of sales and costs as well as the target groups and the marketing of a bowling centre. It will also provide invaluable addresses from the industry, which can be of assistance when opening a bowling centre. The seminar will take place on Thursday, 15 January 2009 at the Tulip Hotel, in the direct vicinity of the exhibition centre, from 10 am to 12.30 pm in German, and from 1.30 to 4 pm in English. Tickets cost 365,- € plus vat each. A non-committal application form can be obtained from the ba-Bowling Agency: M.Morczinietz@Bowling-Agentur.de

For IMA 2009, which will run from 13 to 16 January, the host, the German Amusement and Vending Industry Association (VDAI) and Reed Exhibitions Deutschland GmbH, as the organiser, expect over 200 exhibitors and more than 8,000 visitors. On display will be a wide range of amusement machines with cash winning options and the entire spectrum of electronic amusement machines, sports gaming machines as well as cash management systems and furnishing concepts for modern amusement arcades.