TABLE OF CONTENTS

> Book your hotel room for ISBPA Annual General Membership Meeting

> Molson Coors Launches 4th Annual Miller Lite Chicago Bears Promotion

> Be on the Lookout for Rebate Checks from BPAA and Food Service

> Governor Pritzker and Congressman Sean Casten Visit ISBPA Centers

> Illinois Beverage Association invites ISBPA Members to Three-Day Event Featuring Impressive Speaker Lineup

> Bowlers Day Draws Huge Attendance Despite Rainy Forecast

> Chicagoland BPA Golf Outing Battles Rain for Second Consecutive Year; Dollars Raised for BVL and SMART

> Member loses roof at home then Raises Funds for Community

> Michael Best Strategies Legislative Recap

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM FOR THE

2026 ILLIINOIS STATE BPA ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Illinois State BPA Annual General Membership Meeting & Convention returns to the beautiful Hotel Arista in Naperville, Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The event gets underway on Monday, October 26, with the annual Illinois State BPA Board of Directors Meeting, followed by an welcome Social at the beautiful Zorba Lounge, conveniently located adjacent to the hotel’s lobby registration area.

The convention continues Tuesday with a full day of association activities, educational programming, networking opportunities and the Annual General Membership Meeting.

Monday, October 26, 2026

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm / ISBPA Board of Directors Meeting
6:30 pm – Midnight / Evening Social at the Zobra Lounge (hotel lobby) / Monday Night Football, sponsored to Molson Coors

Tuesday, October 27, 2025

9:00 am – 10:25 am / Educational Seminar & Updates
10:30 am – 12:50 pm / Tabletop Vendor Showcase
1:00 pm - 4:45 pm | Annual General Membership Meeting

-- 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm is a Buffet Lunch

-- 1:46 pm - 3:15 pm will be our annual Awards Ceremony

-- 3:16 pm - 4:30 pm features our Annual General Membership Meeting

The evening is open

To book your hotel room, please click HOTEL ROOM. Or call 866-245-1786.

To confirm your attendance, please click RSVP TO ATTEND MEETING.

MILLER LITE CHICAGO BEAR PROMOTION RETURNS

The Illinois State BPA / Miller Lite Chicago Bear Annual Promotion is now entering its fourth consecutive year. Here are the details:

Timing: Now- January 3rd

Scan QR code above and use the Keyword “BEARS” for the local promotion. Both signage forms are good for the same promotion

Access Graphics and Signage

Please contact your local distributor to gain access to promotional materials and to print POS

Local Program | National Program

Tickets to a 2026/27 Bears Game | Win a trip package to any NFL 2027/2028 season game of winner's choice and Venmo Instant win cash prizes are also part of this program.

Request to Member Centers

Please stock the following brands to help support the promotion with an emphasis on gamedays: Miller Lite, Blue Moon and Topo Chico.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR REBATE CHECKS!

The 2026 Pepsi Rebate checks to participating member centers are in the mail. You should have already received your Food rebate checks.

The rebates are in addition to the national account pricing, FREE equipment and services, pitchers, marketing materials, and design services. If you are currently not part of the program, you'll want to call 817-385-8473 to learn more about this program.

PRITZKER, CASTEN PAY VISITS TO ISBPA MEMBER CENTERS

Governor Stops at Diversey River Bowl; Congressman Tours Arena Lanes

Two ISBPA member centers welcomed some high-profile visitors during the past month, as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stopped by Diversey River Bowl in Chicago and U.S. Congressman Sean Casten visited Arena Lanes in Oak Lawn.

On July 21, Governor Pritzker made a visit to Diversey River Bowl to meet a bowling team with a particularly appropriate name — the “JB Splitzkers” — which includes one of the governor’s cousins.

“This is certainly a first for me — proud to meet the JB Splitzkers tonight at Diversey River Bowl,” Pritzker later posted on his Facebook page. During his visit, the governor spent time greeting and shaking hands with scores of bowlers and patrons before signing a bowling pin for Diversey River Bowl proprietor Mark Iverson. About a month later, the political spotlight shifted to the southwest suburbs when U.S. Congressman Sean Casten,

who represents Illinois’ 6th Congressional District, visited Arena Lanes in Oak Lawn to meet with proprietor and former ISBPA President Bill Brennan.

Casten toured the center and expressed surprise at just how busy Arena Lanes was with bowlers, particularly considering that it was only 3:00 in the afternoon.

Brennan, joined by fellow ISBPA proprietor Dan Johnson of Strike N' Bites Lanes, used the opportunity to discuss the important role bowling centers play within their communities. They explained that bowling centers are much more than places for recreation and league competition. They also serve as gathering places for families and community organizations, host charitable fundraisers and provide venues for a wide variety of local events.

The two visits provided ISBPA proprietors with valuable opportunities to personally demonstrate to elected officials what bowling centers contribute to their communities — both on and off the lanes.

ILLINOISAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION INVITES MEMBERS OF

ISBPA TO ATTEND ITS ANNUAL CONVENTION

The Illinois Beverage Association is inviting members of the ISBPA to join its annual state convention, which will take place from September 20-22, 2026. The host location is the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center, in Springfield, Illinois. If you would like to register to the event, please click the ILBA Convention Link. To learn more about the event, please click on Event Schedule.

Most notably, the general session schedule includes an impressive lineup of speakers covering topics from fed liquor to gaming, cannabis and more. Several prominent state politicians will also be in attendance.

BOWLERS DAY DRAWS HUGE CROWD

— AND A 2½-HOUR RAIN DELAY

The Annual Bowlers Day Event attracted an impressive 885 registrations, with the first 500 bowlers in attendance receiving a specially designed baseball cap featuring the Chicago White Sox, Storm and ISBPA logos.

Despite the poor weather forecast, an incredible 98% of those who purchased tickets actually attended the event, with the crowd enduring a 2½-hour rain delay before eventually watching the hometown Chicago White Sox defeat the Cleveland Guardians in an American League Central Division battle.

Also in attendance was the new voice of the PBA, Kyle Sherman, who joined CBPA President Craig Kouros on the field as part of the day’s festivities.

RAIN PLAYS HAVOC WITH THE 101ST ANNUAL CBPA GOLF OUTING, BUT THE FUN WAS NOT DAMPENED

The 101st Annual CBPA Golf Outing made it through just five holes before golfers were instructed to return to the clubhouse as a torrential downpour brought the tournament to an early end.

But the rain certainly didn’t end the fun.

Rather than be deterred, everyone quickly adapted to the situation, enjoying food, beverages and plenty of socializing while the outing organizers kept the party going by giving away a seemingly endless supply of cash raffle winnings and door prizes. In fact, distributing all the prizes took nearly an hour!

One of the highlights of the rain-shortened outing was the handling of the popular Ball Drop Contest, which, for the second consecutive year, had to be decided by drawing the winning ball number from a tumbler rather than dropping the balls onto the putting green.

Bob Stutz, proprietor of Circles Lanes, had the lucky number pulled and won $1,130, representing 50% of the money collected through the contest, with the remaining 50% designated for the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). But Stutz had an even better idea. Rather than pocketing his winnings, Stutz generously donated the entire $1,130 back to BVL. Adding to the generosity, Nate Bukoski, co-owner of Schemm Bowling, matched the original 50% charitable portion of the Ball Drop proceeds. By the time the rain had stopped and all the generosity was totaled, the 101st Annual CBPA Golf Outing had raised approximately $3,400 for BVL.

The charitable giving didn’t stop there. Thanks to the tremendous support of the outing’s hole sponsors, an additional $2,450 in net proceeds from hole sponsorships has been donated to the Illinois SMART Fund, where the money will help provide future collegiate scholarships to youth bowlers.

So, while the golfers may not have finished 18 holes, the day still produced some impressive winning numbers: approximately $3,400 for BVL and another $2,450 for youth bowling scholarships.

Thanks to the generosity of Stutz, Bukoski, Schemm Bowling, the outing’s hole sponsors and everyone who participated in the Ball Drop Contest, a rain-shortened golf outing ultimately became a very successful day for our nation’s veterans and the future of youth bowling.

MEMBER CENTER OWNER LOSES ROOF AT HOME

--- LEADS EFFORT TO HELP STORM VICTIMS

In response to the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that recently struck Gary, Indiana, Lansing, Illinois, and surrounding Southland communities, member center Strikes & Bites, in partnership with The Empowerment Center and The AC Green Show, has launched the “Bring Back the Power & Shine the Light” Storm Relief and Community Recovery Initiative.

For Strikes & Bites owner Dan Johnson, the devastation is deeply personal.

Johnson’s own home had its roof literally torn off by the storm—with his son inside the house at the time. His son was in an upstairs bedroom when the roof was ripped away. Fortunately, he escaped without injury, although the extensive damage has displaced the Johnson family from their home for at least 30 days. “It could have been worse, and we are so grateful that no one was injured,” Johnson said. Rather than focusing solely on his own family’s loss, Johnson—well known for his philanthropic efforts—quickly turned his attention toward helping others throughout the community who were also affected by the storms.

The relief initiative is designed to provide immediate assistance to families dealing with power outages, food loss and property damage, while also helping residents through the longer-term process of repairing their homes and rebuilding their lives.

Strikes & Bites is serving as a collection point for donated goods during normal business hours. Needed items include bottled water and nonperishable food, personal hygiene products, baby and senior supplies, flashlights, batteries and power banks, cleaning and recovery supplies, and grocery and gas gift cards.

Financial contributions are also being accepted to assist qualifying families with food replacement, basic household necessities, emergency recovery expenses, storm-related repairs—including assistance with insurance deductibles—and other verified needs. According to organizers, all donations to the initiative are tax deductible.

Those interested in donating, volunteering or participating in the recovery effort may contact organizers at 708-251-3203, visit StrikesandBites.com, or email info@tecgives.org.

LEGISLATION UPDATE

by Trevon Sylvester of Michael Best Strategies

Legislative activity in Springfield has remained relatively quiet over the summer months. Much of the focus among legislators has shifted to the upcoming fall election cycle, and there have been few significant developments on issues affecting Illinois bowling centers.

We are beginning to prepare for the spring 2027 legislative session, and we know the threat of internet gaming will remain a prominent issue. As discussions continue about potential future revenue sources, it is important that lawmakers hear directly from the small businesses that would be impacted. We encourage all ISBPA members to continue building relationships with their local state representatives and senators and to share how the expansion of internet gaming would negatively affect bowling centers, family entertainment venues, and the communities they serve. Personal stories and local perspectives remain some of the most effective tools in shaping legislative decisions.

If you are interested in meeting with your local state representatives or senators and would like assistance coordinating outreach, please contact ISBPA leadership or the Michael Best Strategies team.

The Illinois General Assembly’s fall 2026 veto session is scheduled for November 17-19 and December 1-3, 2026. Veto session is primarily intended to address bills vetoed by the Governor and other unfinished legislative business, but it can also provide an opportunity for previously debated proposals to resurface. At this time, we do not anticipate any major movement on legislation impacting our key priorities during veto session. However, we will continue to closely monitor developments and keep ISBPA members informed of any changes as the year progresses.

Thank you for your continued engagement and advocacy on behalf of Illinois bowling centers. Your involvement helps ensure that policymakers understand the real-world impact their decisions can have on small businesses across the state.

ACE MITCHELL BOWLERS MART

Dean Billings

3365 Cavalier Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223

(330) 920-6200, Mobile (330) 281-9136,

Office (800) 262-2695, Fax (330) 928-2132

Full line bowling distributor carrying a variety of

bowling consumer and capital equipment brands