The following are the press releases from the two Industry Trade Shows this year. The shows had strong attendance, in spite of current economic conditions and the details and reverent stats are all below. Nivel for the first time in many years had booths at both shows with unbelievable support from dealer customers. We were so impressed with the turnout Nivel is planning booths at the shows for 2010, we hope to see you there.
WELL ATTENDED 56th PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW BUILDS NEW BUSINESS, OPTIMISM FOR 2009
More than 41,000 industry professionals form all 50 U.S. states and 74 countries came to the 56th PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 29-31 in Orlando, Florida (Pictured on the cover), to uncover the latest products and trends, write new business, share business best practices and strategize for the year ahead. The results found the industry’s most influential business leaders pleasantly surprises by the resiliency of the golf industry and recharged to navigate a predicted tough economy in 2009.
Refusing to let the recession cast a shadow over the golf industry, the 56th PGA Merchandise Show was only a 4.53% decline in attendance by PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders who came to see the latest products of 1,100 golf manufacturers in 1.1 million gross square feet of interactive exhibit space of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). PGA Merchandise Show days also were jam packed with indoor and outdoor product testing, more than 70 education seminars, special events, and programs at the PGA Equipment Forum and new Fashion Gallery, plus celebrity appearances, networking events and the introduction of several industry growth of the game initiatives.
2009 Stats:
41,000+ attending industry professionals
All 50 U.S. States – Top 5: Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina
74 Countries – Top 5 outside of U.S.: Canada, UK, Japan, Germany, and Korea
1,100 Exhibiting companies
1.1 million gross square feet of interactive exhibit space
Best New Products: Fine Tune – Robo Cup, Earth Care Products – Solar Panel, Frogger – Amphibian Towel
“Our goal was to create an event that would help organize the golf industry as it goes forward in 2009, and judging by the strong traffic on the Show floor, the reports of orders being written, and the business relationships being made, it seems the business of golf is off to a fine start for 2009,” said Ed Several, PGA Shows Group Vice President. “The PGA Merchandise Show this week vertainly underscores the resiliency of the golf industry and speaks to the industry’s commitment to growing the game under all circumstances. New innovative products, fresh approaches to business in this economy and programs such as Get Golf Ready, show that golf is continuing to press forward.”
From the new Fashion Gallery anchoring the apparel section to the Equipment Test Center and Indoor Demo Days, the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show was bustling with business.
“There seems to be a very positive vibe at the Show this year, despite the economy,” noted PGA Professional Keith Bach of Players Golf Academy, Hilton Head Island, S.C. “I’ve been coming to the Show for the past 10 or more years, and this is as good or better than any in recent memory. I was happy to see how crowded the Show was today (Thursday). It just proves that the golf industry is strong. People still want to play golf, and the Orlando Show remains the best place to see everything in golf under one roof.”
“I don’t know if anyone knows exactly what will happen with the economy, but the golf industry will endure,” said Kawaja, who oversaw the addition of the Ashworth band to the adidas family at the ‘09 PGA Show. “I think every industry in America is in for a tough first quarter, but in April when the sun comes out and is shining, the core golfers will return and continue to play the game. There will be an asterisk to this year, but at the end of the day, golf will be OK. Golfers still want to play and they will spend. Those PGA Professionals, golf facilities and golf companies who manage their businesses efficiently during the challenging times will be fine in the long term.”
The PGA Merchandise Show is the world’s largest and most influential golf business gathering and marketplace for the global golf industry. The 57th PGA Merchandise Show returns to Orlando, Jan. 28-30, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center. Mark your calendar with thes upcoming dates: PGA Fall Expo, September 1-2, 2009, Las Vegas, PGA Merchandise Show, January 28-30, 2010, Orlando, Florida. For additional 2009 PGA Show event information or to plan for 2010 participation, please visi: www.pgashow.com.
GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW ENJOYS PRODUCTIVE RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS
USGA joins as participating partner; format change for 2010
The Golf Industry Show returned to New Orleans February 5-7, 2009, with an exciting display of the latest products and services to the golf and club industries. Feedback from attendees and exhibitors in evaluating the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
Total attendance was 17,151, including 7,012 qualified buyers – those who can directly influence a purchase decision – and 765 exhibitors covered 257900 square feet of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center’s trade show floor.
“In just five years the Golf Industry Show has taken hold as a must-attend event,” show officials noted. “The feedback we receive continues to be positive. Attendees and exhibitors appreciate the team approach we promote and the enhancements we make to increase the event’s value. We look forward to next year’s show in San Diego, the formal addition of the USGA, and the format change that will be so beneficial to everyone involved in the event.
The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. The event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners, operators, club managers, chief operating officers, architects, and builders to form one of the largest trade shows in North America.
The Golf Industry Show is presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), and Club Managers Association of American (CMA), along with participating partners Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). The three presenting partner organizations also hold their annual conferences in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) will join the Golf Industry Show beginning in 2010 as a participating partner.
In addition to the inclusion of the USGA, the Golf Industry Show will feature a different format in 2010. Based on feedback from attendees and exhibitors, the schedule will be modified so that all events (education conferences and trade show) are held on weekdays. Responding to member and exhibitor desires to preserve more of their weekends, the trade show portion of the event will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 10-11), with virtually no competing events. GCSAA and NGCOA education will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
The Golf Industry Show sent almost 200 volunteers to help New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity build eight houses in the Jefferson Parish and Central City sections of New Orleans. The volunteers worked two full days at the two work sites, doing tasks such as laying sod, installing flashing, leveling dirt, building fences, finishing roofs, and construction stairs, walls and floors for local families. For more information please visit: www.gcsaa.org.
