KPMG’s fourth annual Golf Business Forum will take place in Budapest, Hungary, 16-18 May, bringing together investors and developers from across the globe targeting ‘Golf Development in the Emerging Markets’. (www.golfbusinessforum.com).
Among those attending will be business professionals interested in real estate and resort projects from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMA) where golf continues to grow rapidly, driving property related investment and development opportunities.
According to recent KPMG research, there are now almost 7,000 golf courses and 4.2 million golfers in the EMA region. And with approximately 1,000 new courses being established worldwide each year – a significant proportion of which are driven by real estate development in emerging markets – many EMA countries are now the subject of significant international investment.
Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s specialist Golf Advisory Services team for the EMA region, said, “Golf is growing rapidly in many emerging markets, and is a key driver in new real estate and resort developments. In Eastern Europe, for example, where this year’s Forum is being hosted, the number of golfers and golf courses has tripled since 2000 and there are significant business opportunities.
“The KPMG Golf Business Forum is an outstanding platform for investors, developers and golf industry professionals to meet, learn, exchange ideas and do business – and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the wonderful city of Budapest in May.”
Hungary is at the heart of the key emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe, which is why Budapest and the luxurious Hilton Hotel has been chosen as the venue for this years Golf Business Forum.
The two-day event will include presentations from keynote speakers and interactive panel sessions on topics including how to build a winning development team, best practices from top international venues and how to finance new projects, plus special country focus briefings on emerging markets including Croatia and Hungary. There will also be numerous networking opportunities including a gala dinner and a golf tournament.
The event is being partnered by several leading players in the international golf industry including Club Car, Dolphin Capital Investors, Gary Player Design, Harradine Golf, Nicklaus design, Ransomes Jacobsen, Robert Trent Jones, Toro and Troon Golf.
KPMG Golf Advisory Services, part of KPMG’s Central and Eastern European Travel, Leisure and Tourism practice, recently published the first annual Golf Benchmark Survey in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMA) region (www.golfbenchmark.com) and previously produced the Golf Course Development Cost Survey.
More information about the KPMG Golf Business Forum and online booking is now available at www.golfbusinessforum.com where a video of last year’s event can also be viewed.