APA home team benefits

[James]

Hi everyone,

I just started a new 9-ball team out of my local hall, and coincidentally the hall just sold to a new owner. He is enthusiastic about the APA and agreed with my suggestion that we should setup something to encourage teams to want to play there, and stay all night when they have matches.

I suggested some sort of a team drink special, but I really don't know what makes the most sense in terms of profit for everyone.

He is already providing free table time, 1 practice table per team all night on 9 ft' Olhausens, but he would like to do more to have people staying and drinking and coming back on non league nights.

What perks do you all offer to APA teams?

Keep in mind this is not a booming APA area. We're trying to get more teams motivated.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
james

 

[Cass]

Encouragement to APA players would be
1. A comfortable,clean,service oriented establishment
2. Equipment maintained to league players expectations
3. A more POOL ORIENTED atmosphere on league nights

Maybe 1/2 off on first drink round for both teams
(people just dont stay "all night " anymore}
discounts on Pro Shop merchandise
maybe 1/2 off pool time during league play,or flat rate pool time per team.

 

[selftaut]

Giving away the store is not and will not profitable IMO. Providing a well maintained "players atmosphere" league night is the key IMO.

 

[James]

I appreciate all the responses guys!

The problem in this area seems to be getting people in the door. It's southern california, so there is a lot for young people to do around here. Hopefully if we have a decent drink or food special and people have a good time, they'll start bringing friends to league or start new teams. Heck, I just started playing 6 months ago and I already started a new team!

I'll pass this info along.

-J

 

[APA LO]

I appreciate all the responses guys!

The problem in this area seems to be getting people in the door. It's southern california, so there is a lot for young people to do around here. Hopefully if we have a decent drink or food special and people have a good time, they'll start bringing friends to league or start new teams. Heck, I just started playing 6 months ago and I already started a new team!

I'll pass this info along.

-J

Hi James. I agree with the sentiments of some of the other responses. If the location is offering some free table time as a way to encourage teams to play out of the location, that's pretty fair. Anything more than that is dipping too deeply into a billiard locations pocket.

I would recommend contacting your local APA League Operator and asking if they have recommendations or can offer assistance in helping you increase traffic or build teams in that location.

APA can be a tremendous benefit to a room owner. Weeknights are generally slow nights for traffic and league play is a guaranteed crowd. League play has saved many room owners from closing down their business due to decreasing numbers of walk in traffic.

The LO in your area can provide signage and promotional materials if they haven't already. LO's pretty much know all the ways that locations can increase traffic because they have tremendous experience and knowledge of what increases traffic and builds more teams out of a location.

You are already an asset to the room owner you are attempting to help, because YOU have brought him/her more business by bringing in another team. If the room owner wants more APA business and you want more APA business, you both have a common goal. Your local APA LO has that same goal, so I would suggest contacting that person and seeing if he can help you achieve those goals.