CNO 2.0 Venue and Details

The venue for tonight’s CNO 2.0 meeting was at Poelking Lanes South in Miami Township Ohio. Thank you to Joe Poelking, the owner of the venue, for donating the VIP Bowling Lounge for our meeting with complimentary bowling and for telling us the history of his family and their bowling businesses.

Greg Fay, the chair of CNO 2.0, introduced today’s guest speaker and gave information about our club to guests attending tonight’s meeting.

http://poelkingbowling.com/south/

There were 38 people at the meeting (27 members and 11 guests).

Joe Poelking, Owner, Poelking Lanes South

Joe and his cousin run Poelking Lanes. The business was started in the 1940s by his grandfather. World War II caused the lanes to close after a few years because there were not enough workers available to work as pinsetters. The Poelking Lanes on Wilmington Avenue started again in the 1950’s. In November of 2012 the VIP suite at Poelking Lanes South was opened and it is a place to have your own private bowling party.

Bowling is a multigenerational activity. The activity helps facilitate family and friend social gatherings. He remembers when bumper bowling first became popular. It allowed even more family members to enjoy bowling. People also use bowling for networking.

The industry changes. He and his partner learn about options and trends in the industry. They check with the public to see what would work the best. Recently Hyper Bowling has started at some bowling venues. It is bumper bowling with sensors and lights on the bumpers and a computer scores your bowl based on hitting the rights spots on the bumpers on the way down the lane. He is considering adding the game to some of their lanes.

High school bowling as a sport has become huge especially in Ohio. Tournaments can have over 4000 kids. It can involve 7 venues at the same time. They are working on trying to be the host of these national tournaments. They are working with the schools to help create feeder programs to continue to make the sport popular.

Bowling events for Charitable Fund Raising

In the 1980’s he got involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and he is on the board. They host a bowling fundraiser each year. Typical amounts raised each year are $50,000 – $60,000, but one year it hit $100,000.

Bowling for Hospice has been run 16 years and in total has raised over $800,000.

Example Events Hosted in the VIP Lounge:

Birthday Parties, including surprise birthday parties
Weddings
Wedding Receptions
Business Meetings
Wakes (lifelong bowling fans)