The PBIA's mission is to provide quality billiard instruction to individuals at all levels of proficiency, as well as offer training and certification programs for individuals wishing to become qualified billiard instructors.
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PBIA Instructors,

We hope you're summer is off to a great start! Please take your time and read this newsletter carefully as we are excited to share a lot of news and happenings within the PBIA program!
25th Anniversary Celebration


2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the Professional Billiard Instructors Association (formerly called the BCA Instructor Program).

In honor of this silver anniversary, the PBIA is inviting all instructors to attend the BCA Expo, August 2-4, 2017 in Las Vegas.

Registration is FREE for all PBIA Instructors!  Just simply use the promo code: PBIAFREE when registering. 

The PBIA Instructor committee is planning three full days of activities during the BCA Expo specifically designed for billiard instructors. From tips and content from fellow PBIA Instructors to a special PBIA Instructor's only celebration on Thursday, August 3, 2017, you'll gain additional teaching information and have an enjoyable time during this year's BCA Expo.

Click here for the full 3 day schedule of events for our instructor celebration. 

By attending 50 percent of the PBIA sessions during the BCA Expo, you will receive six hours of credit towards your next upgrade. 
 
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Inaugural PBIA Instructor of the Year Award

During this year's PBIA 25th anniversary celebration at the BCA Expo, we will announce the winner of the inaugural PBIA Instructor of the Year Award.     

Thursday, August 3
5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
South Point Hotel, Redwood Room
Free cocktails, soft drinks and light hors d'oeuvres
PBIA Background Verification Program Launched 

Do you work with kids?  Do you give lessons from your home?  Do you go to other people's home to provide instruction?  Do you want prospective students to know that you are background check verified? Do you want your name to be listed at the top of instructor searches in your state?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above we highly recommend you participate in our new background check program offered by Verified Volunteers.  The Billiard Congress of America will cover all fees not paid by the instructor.   If you haven't done the background check but still want to get verified, please email us and we'll start the process with you. 

Any instructor involved with the Billiard Education Foundation, BEF Junior Nationals, Atlantic Challenge Cup or WPA Junior World Championships will be required to pass the screening process.    
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Scam Emails

Is it getting harder and harder to identify scam emails?  The following information was put together by PBIA Advanced Instructor John Taylor from Houston to help all instructors identify scam emails.  

To all PBIA Instructors,
 
For over 10 years, international scammers have been targeting billiard instructors with a refund scam. Typically, they will ask for a rate quote and then send an over payment with a counterfeit check. Once you get the check they will apologize and ask you to refund the over payment when you meet. It's easy to recognize when you know what to look for.
 
Here are a few telltale signs of an email scam:
  1. Poor use of the English language, including spelling and punctuation errors, incorrect UPPER and lower case letters, etc.
  2. Asking for a quote for a certain amount of time that results in a large amount of money.  
  3. Trying to arrange lessons for someone else (Usually a relative traveling to your location.)
  4. Using a very common email account like yahoo or gmail.
  5. Asking about your availability.
  6. Using the word billiards instead of pool. It's called pool in America but billiards almost everywhere else.
  7. A sense of urgency, as in wanting you to cash the check immediately.
  8. Not wanting to communicate with you over the phone.
Trust your instincts!   If it doesn't pass the "smell test" or doesn't have the "ring of truth" to it, it's more than likely a scam.
 
The best thing to do is just ignore and delete it.  If somehow you receive a suspicious check, do NOT deposit or cash it! You could be charged with bank fraud.  

John Taylor
PBIA Advanced Instructor
A Pool Lesson with Jerry Briesath 

Contact the BCA to order your copies of A Pool Lesson with Jerry Briesath (MSRP $59.95). 

PBIA Instructors' bulk price discounts are:
  • 1-6      $35 per DVD set
  • 7-12    $30 per DVD set
  • 13-25  $25 per DVD set
  • 26-49  $23 per DVD set
  • 50+      $20 per DVD set
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