BCM, or Bowling Center Management, is a monthly trade magazine devoted exclusively to bowling center operators. BCM is also the official publication of BPAA, meaning that BCM is mailed to all bowling centers in the United States every month, including all members of BPAA. In addition, BCM goes to members of the European Bowling Proprietors Association, all manufacturers and distributors of bowling supplies, equipment and services, as well as most bowling centers in the world, resulting in an average monthly distribution of 9,500.

Now that you’ve got that straight, there are plenty of resources to help you along the way to becoming a bowling proprietor for the first time.

Luby Publishing, Inc., is the leading publishing house for the bowling and billiards industries. Luby Publishing was founded in 1913 by Dave Luby (1857-1925) with the creation of Bowlers Journal. Today Bowlers Journal, known as Bowlers Journal International now, is the oldest American monthly sports publication. Other Luby Publishing, Inc., titles include Billiards Digest, Bowling Center Management, Billiards Retailer, American/US Bowler and the Luby Buyer’s Guide.

BPAA is the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America. This organization is the trade association for bowling center operators. There are nearly 4,000 members of BPAA. BCM is the official publication of BPAA. For more information about BPAA, visit www.bpaa.com.

Though estimates vary, there are approximately 7,000 bowling centers in the United States.

Doesn’t bowling center just sound better? Actually, the term "bowling center" is generally preferred in the industry due to the increasing number of amenities in bowling facilities and the outdated image the term "bowling alley" conjures. Bowling centers in the United States currently offer many of the following amenities within their walls: sports bars, restaurants, arcade areas, miniature golf, laser tag, climbing walls…just about anything you can think of. Thus, many "bowling alleys" became much more than that, and a new name fit the facility better. And the popular image of a bowling alley has been replaced by state-of-the-art entertainment complexes, featuring laser-light shows and high-performance equipment, so the term "bowling center" provides a more accurate description of the building.