The USA continues to be the biggest and most lucrative golf market in the world. The PGA Orlando Merchandise Show is the only show of its kind serving this market and has become the world’s most important golf trade show.
At the 2003 event 11 UK companies exhibited and more are expected to be at the next event in January 2004. Reed Exhibitions has made efforts to serve better the UK exhibitors and potential exhibitors.
A PGA Orlando team has been set up in the UK to assist British companies wanting to exhibit at the US event. The team is based at Reed Exhibitions‘ headquarters in Richmond and looks after all queries related to exhibiting at the event.
Indy Wallace will head up the team and is already busy putting together the UK group for 2004. Trade Partners UK have awarded support for the show and Reed Exhibitions are working closely with SCS Exhibitions who are co-ordinating the grants. Grants cover 60% of exhibition costs up to £2,300 per company.
PGA Merchandise Show:
Exhibits – 29th Jan. – 1st Feb 2004
Golf Demo Day – 28th Jan. 2004
Education Conference – 28th Jan. 2004
Since its inception in 1954, the PGA Merchandise Show has served the golf industry as an important forum for its business leaders. It has grown to become the world’s most influential golf trade show.
In 2004, the PGA Merchandise Show will welcome more than 40,000 industry professionals to view hundreds of thousands of products and services of more than 1,200 exhibitors within approximately 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space in the Orange County Convention Centre (OCCC).
Education Conference & Keynote Speakers
Last year, hundreds of industry professionals attended the first expanded education conference featuring more than 60 seminars. In partnership with The PGA of America, the Association of Golf Merchandisers and leading allied associations, PGA Golf Exhibitions will offer timely, relevant and compelling professional development programs to attending buyers and industry members at the OCCC, beginning the day before the 2004 Show opens. In addition The PGA of America will stage some 20 PGA member education programs at several Orlando facilities and present the highly-regarded Business of Golf Conference to provide an open forum with golf’s top leaders discussing important industry topics and the future of the game.
Golf Demo Day
The first annual Golf Demo Day took place in 2003 at the Orange County National Golf Centre & Lodge. It was, without question, an overwhelming success. Presented in partnership with PGA Magazine, the 2004 Golf Demo Day will feature more than 40 companies filling over 120 hitting bays at the facility’s 43-acre driving range and practice facility. Some 3,000 invited guests, including PGA Members, exhibitor-designated key buyers and selected media, will be able to test first-hand the equipment, products and services of top golf manufacturers.
Golf Appraisals
The Golf Memorabilia Appraisal Show was another successful inaugural event in 2003. This appraisal area, presented by Historic Golf Photos, The Golf Channel and PGA Golf Exhibitions, provided an exciting new element that attracted over 500 people in its first year and is expected to grow for 2004. Golf memorabilia and antiques will be appraised daily at the 2004 PGA Merchandise Show. The Golf Channel will air a special segment on unique collectibles seen at the Show.
The 19th Hole
The PGA Merchandise Show will build on the successful launch of this fun, interactive and social area for attendees. Located in the equipment hall, The 19th Hole will again feature golf simulators, swing analysis, pitching and putting green, golf cart obstacle course, ball flight monitors, closest-to-the-pin contest, eBay golf auction, a restaurant and lounge and a Cyber Cafe. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to enter a charity-putting tournament.
Industry Awards
The prestigious Industry Honours Awards, presented by the International Network of Golf, will again be staged during the PGA Merchandise Show. Separately, The PGA of America will honour an industry veteran with the Ernie Sabayrac Award for lifetime contributions to the golf industry.
Registration
Buyers can register online at www.pgaexpo.com or by calling 1-800-840-5628. Media may register by downloading a media credential application at www.pgaexpo.com or by calling 1-203-840-5464. Housing and travel information is available at www.pgaexpo.com or by calling 1-800-PGA-EXPO. In addition, the 2004 PGA Merchandise Show offers airfare discounts, shuttle bus service from 40 official hotels, and many more amenities.
Show Management
The PGA Merchandise Show is a Reed Exhibitions event, organised in partnership with The PGA of America. It is one of several leading golf trade shows in PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions‘ global golf portfolio. Others include the PGA Fall Expo in rotating US west coast cities; the Ontario PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Toronto, Canada; and the PGA Merchandise Show of Australia in Sydney.
UK contacts:
Indy Wallace on 0208 910 7750 or indy.wallace@reedexpo.com
Shane Hannam on 0208 910 7196 or shane.hannam@reedexpo.com
PGA Merchandise Show www.pgamerchandiseshow.com