Each year the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) recognizes an outstanding individual who made significant contributions to the billiard industry with the presentation of the BCA President’s Award. This year the BCA has chosen to recognize William T. Glasgow Sr, aka “BG.” BG, who recently passed away, served as owner and founder of the trade show management company W.T. Glasgow.“During his many multiple decades long relationship with the BCA, BG was instrumental in introducing ideas and concepts to make the show better each and every year,” said outgoing BCA Chairman Mike Serra. “He was always present on the show floor making sure exhibitors and attendees got what they needed. This award is a small token of the industry’s appreciation for his tireless efforts to make our industry’s largest annual event a success.”
BG began his career at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago, while attending Loyola University. In 1967, he became director of sales for Hilton Catering at McCormick Place and returned to McCormick Place as director of sales and marketing for Greyhound Food Management.
In 1975, he was hired as show manager by the Electronic Industries Association to manage its Winter and Summer Consumer Electronics Shows (held in Chicago and Las Vegas) and was later promoted to vice president, where he remained until he started his own business in 1984 – the trade show management firm, W. T. Glasgow, Inc.
Among his first contracts was the former APAA Show, and when it merged with the Big I Show, Glasgow was awarded the management contract for the combined event, known today as AAPEX. That show currently ranks at #29 on Trade Show Week’s prestigious “Trade Show 100” list.
His list of accomplishments is impressive. BG was the first recipient of the U. S. Department of Commerce E-Certificate for Service promoting exports through trade shows; he helped organize and was the first chairman of the Major American Trade Show Organization (MATSO), a forum that allowed show managers of major trade shows to discuss the unique needs and common problems experienced by shows of large magnitude; and in 2010, BG received the “Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership Award” from the International Association of Exhibitors & Events (IAEE).
“Bill supported the BCA Expo as though it was his most important event of the year. That’s just the level of service he provided and the work ethic he exemplified,” said Rob Johnson, Billiard Congress of America CEO. “I am confident the multitude of individuals in our industry who had a chance to work with Bill always came away with an understanding for just how dedicated he was to both, his craft and our industry.”
