The Golf Pro Show 2008 that was announced back in February and which had the backing of the PGA has been postponed indefinitely. It had been scheduled for 30th October to 1st November 2008 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
The organisers, Golf Pro Show Ltd, blame the postponement upon the ‘rapid and sudden decline in the UK economic situation’.
The Golf Pro Show was intended to combine a showcase of the entire golf business including equipment, products, training aids and destinations from all over the world.
“In addition,” said the organisers, “there will be a range of conference sessions and workshops, informal evening networking events, a golf tournament and a range of practice zones for testing new products.”
The show was targeted at PGA professionals and immediately raised eyebrows among industry insiders who noted the proximity of the dates to the major shows to be held in November at Harrogate by leading buying groups.
In a statement now posted on the Show’s website www.golfproshow.com the organisers announce, “We regret to inform you that due to the rapid and sudden decline in the UK economic situation, we are no longer able to deliver the show to the standard that we had wanted.
“Therefore we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the event until such time that: we are confident that exhibitors can be assured of an enthusiastic and plentiful amount of visitors, and that the visitors can be confident in their buying from a strong and consistent level of suppliers.
“We would like to thank the PGA for all their support and to Stoneleigh Park for their patience and understanding. Further developments will be announced as they happen.”
Speaking exclusively to Golf Business News.com, the sales director of Golf Pro Show Ltd, Ken White, said, “In the past few weeks we have seen the initial enthusiasm of many potential exhibitors replaced by caution and reserve.
“More companies are struggling now than was the case six months ago and they are nervous about investing in a new show. We need things to pick up again and for there to be more confidence in the market before we can move forward.”
Mr. White declined to comment upon what financial impact the Show’s postponement would have upon his company and its arrangements with the PGA saying only that, “The PGA will not be out of pocket because of this.”