We are fortunate enough to have the PWBA making a stop at the center that the shop I run is in.  We have already begun preparations, and the owners of the center are experienced and have the right connections to make sure this goes off without a hitch.  I, however, want to make sure this is all second nature by the time the event takes place.  There will be no trucks from the manufacturers there, my shop will be responsible for any and all drilling that takes place.  I will have plenty of help and support, no worries there, but I want to make sure we have a quick and efficient production line set up, and I want to be more familiar with the process than the bowlers are. 

Our stop is at West Ridge Lanes in Topeka, KS, on August 6-9.  I have a few thoughts, I'd like opinions on those, and if anyone has any insight or experience, I'd appreciate it. 

I had thought about getting in contact with the pro shop in Wichita that will be hosting the stop before ours to possibly go down and help/shadow them to see how they do it and take notes on what works and what doesn't.  I'm very unsure how busy it is going to be, though we are several stops in, so I imagine most of them will have their "arsenals" set for the most part, and might possibly only drill a few here and there, especially since the bowlers themselves will be carrying all their own drilled and undrilled balls.  However, I'm not too sure how well the other shop will like someone hanging around if they're going to be busy.

I'm sure there will be staff reps there, although not many most likely, so I have no idea how much we will be relied on, if any, for layouts, surfaces, knowledge of individual lane characteristics, etc.  Not sure how practical this would be, but I hope to have intimate knowledge of how the shot plays on our surface, and a few tricky lanes particularly, but that's a pretty involved process. 

I'd like to be very familiar with all the bowlers as well.  I've been watching the women for years since the last time the PWBA was around so I know most of their games well, but being that I'm going to be interacting with them, I'd like to learn some personalities and preferences if at all possible.  I don't want to chat one up that prefers to be all business, or be all business with one that likes to talk a little. I realize there will be plenty of fresh and new faces, but I have a lot of collegiate friends that I'm sure will be a great resource.   

I know I can't possibly prepare for everything, but I want it as locked down as possible by the time they get there.  Personally, I don't mind admitting that I'm nervous and excited as hell.  I'm the biggest bowling dork on the planet, and I don't mind admitting that either.  I get excited just to mingle with big name locals, not to mention well known collegiate bowlers or anything.  I got to meet Ryan Ciminelli at Nationals in Reno last year, and I could barely talk.  I just want to serve them in the best way possible, so any and all information, experience, stories, or anything will definitely be appreciated.