Long story short this Wed night I put on an event for some friends with Johnny Archer and Earl Strickland. I had found out that none of the local rooms were going to book them for an exhibition. That soon changed. We or I booked them.
It was billed as the 1st Annual Night With The Pros. I limited the total amount and then started trying to make it into a good event for all. I was able to pick up some sponsors to help out. A big thanks for TMT Industries, DCGA Engineers and Plain Jane Embroidery.
The event was held at Dave & Busters in Ontario Ca. We started with a buffet and mingled.
Earl was first off and he did not disappoint. I was a little worried about the tables condition just because while they are good table they are not what Earl and Pros are used to playing on. Earl was a champ and was very very entertaining. Several people left saying that they now saw Earl in a different light. Personally I thought he was funny as hell and his stroke shots are very impressive.
He went on for an hour and everyone enjoyed it when he got into a few of his Rants!! Very entertaining!
Johnny then took a turn and played 9 ball. He asked questions, took questions and explained what he was thinking. He was very personable not only during this but for the entire night. He was very interactive with everyone.
Then we had arranged for some of the attendees to play with the guys. Literally... We played scotch doubles.. Team Archer vs team Strickland.
The attendees did not know who was playing so it was a big surprise to
everyone.
Both Johnny and Earl played great and were very entertaining during these 6 matches. Earl even went off a little bit on one of the players ...LOL. Earl told him to shoot it a different way and the guy didn't. He left Earl and little short of where Earl wanted to be and Earl let the whole place know it !! It was hilarious.
Then we had a free for all session with mingling, picture taking, autographs and questions. I can't say how pleased I was with the two guys. This lasted an hour and they left everyone pleased. Those type setting can be a bit aggravating sometimes with all the questions and pics and just getting pulled here and there. Both were GREAT !!
Every attendee had a T-shirt for them. Both Earl and JAs pictures were on the back with a spot to autograph underneath. There was also a nice logo as well as 1st Annual Night With The Pros. The guys signed everyone that needed to be signed.
We finished the evening off with the handing out of door prizes... over 20 total. Included were Cases, Measles Balls, a Break Jump Stick, about 10 $25 gift cards to different restaurants, Gift cards to Dave and Busters for $30, 5 or more $40 Powercard to D & Bs and then the biggest ones....
Two tickets to the Dodgers Vs D-backs, Premier Seats just up and behind the Dodger Dugout. We had two sets of those.
Everyone seemed happy and so far everyone is just saying that they can't wait until next year.
My hat is off to Johnny and Earl !! :thumbup: They did an excellent job and made new fans.
This group wasn't your hardcore pool players. Mainly league and billiard enthusiasts. They like to have a good time and are not shy in the least.
Beverages were flowing all night as was the fun !!!
Another kudo goes to the Dave and Busters staff. They worked with me very well and were very attentive to our needs. While we were in our own section we were still open. They blocked off the area and even did not rent anything near us for the entire night. It went very well with only a couple of minor hitches on my end.
I had a photgrapher there and he is getting the pictures together and everyone will have disc of the night. Over 150 pic from the 4 hours. I dont have those yet.
I will post a couple made with a friends camera.
Just wanted to share this and urge others to do something simliar with these guys. You will not regret it.
It was billed as the 1st Annual Night With The Pros. I limited the total amount and then started trying to make it into a good event for all. I was able to pick up some sponsors to help out. A big thanks for TMT Industries, DCGA Engineers and Plain Jane Embroidery.
The event was held at Dave & Busters in Ontario Ca. We started with a buffet and mingled.
Earl was first off and he did not disappoint. I was a little worried about the tables condition just because while they are good table they are not what Earl and Pros are used to playing on. Earl was a champ and was very very entertaining. Several people left saying that they now saw Earl in a different light. Personally I thought he was funny as hell and his stroke shots are very impressive.
He went on for an hour and everyone enjoyed it when he got into a few of his Rants!! Very entertaining!
Johnny then took a turn and played 9 ball. He asked questions, took questions and explained what he was thinking. He was very personable not only during this but for the entire night. He was very interactive with everyone.
Then we had arranged for some of the attendees to play with the guys. Literally... We played scotch doubles.. Team Archer vs team Strickland.
The attendees did not know who was playing so it was a big surprise to
everyone.
Both Johnny and Earl played great and were very entertaining during these 6 matches. Earl even went off a little bit on one of the players ...LOL. Earl told him to shoot it a different way and the guy didn't. He left Earl and little short of where Earl wanted to be and Earl let the whole place know it !! It was hilarious.
Then we had a free for all session with mingling, picture taking, autographs and questions. I can't say how pleased I was with the two guys. This lasted an hour and they left everyone pleased. Those type setting can be a bit aggravating sometimes with all the questions and pics and just getting pulled here and there. Both were GREAT !!
Every attendee had a T-shirt for them. Both Earl and JAs pictures were on the back with a spot to autograph underneath. There was also a nice logo as well as 1st Annual Night With The Pros. The guys signed everyone that needed to be signed.
We finished the evening off with the handing out of door prizes... over 20 total. Included were Cases, Measles Balls, a Break Jump Stick, about 10 $25 gift cards to different restaurants, Gift cards to Dave and Busters for $30, 5 or more $40 Powercard to D & Bs and then the biggest ones....
Two tickets to the Dodgers Vs D-backs, Premier Seats just up and behind the Dodger Dugout. We had two sets of those.
Everyone seemed happy and so far everyone is just saying that they can't wait until next year.
My hat is off to Johnny and Earl !! :thumbup: They did an excellent job and made new fans.
This group wasn't your hardcore pool players. Mainly league and billiard enthusiasts. They like to have a good time and are not shy in the least.
Beverages were flowing all night as was the fun !!!
Another kudo goes to the Dave and Busters staff. They worked with me very well and were very attentive to our needs. While we were in our own section we were still open. They blocked off the area and even did not rent anything near us for the entire night. It went very well with only a couple of minor hitches on my end.
I had a photgrapher there and he is getting the pictures together and everyone will have disc of the night. Over 150 pic from the 4 hours. I dont have those yet.
I will post a couple made with a friends camera.
Just wanted to share this and urge others to do something simliar with these guys. You will not regret it.
