The Golf Show has, once again, welcomed Europe’s largest gathering of golf industry professionals to the Harrogate International Centre (HIC), Yorkshire, for the 2014 staging of the three-day event on October 7-9.
Now in its fifth year, the continent’s largest golf trade and education event welcomed hundreds of PGA professionals for a packed programme of educational seminars, networking with peers, and a first look at next year’s products and services at an exhibition of more than 60 industry-leading brands.
In addition, the game’s foremost authority on the short game, Dave Pelz, offered his insight into putting and wedge-play to PGA professionals, headlining The Golf Show 2014 finale – a sell-out Teaching and Coaching Conference, in association with Cleveland Golf and Srixon.
Leslie Hepsworth, President of Srixon Sports In the UK and Ireland said that the company had come to Harrogate to launch its new Brand Positioning with it’s premium XX10 brand, new Srixon hardware and balls and new RTX 2.0 wedges from Cleveland.
“We have been staggered by the great reaction from all our customers to everything that we have done including so many compliments for our new booth.
“We simply could not have had a better reaction or a better show and have been so lucky to have had Dave Pelz our Cleveland short game Ambassador here with us all week”
Speaking about his experience at The Golf Show, Dave Pelz said: “It has been really exciting and very positive. This is the best audience I can imagine having, because these are PGA professionals and they really understand the game and we’ve been doing nothing but talking golf since I arrived.
“The professionals here have been interested to hear what I’ve had to say, but they’ve all got their own experiences and I’m learning from them as well. Sharing experiences with them has been really wonderful.”
Furthering its support of PGA professionals, The Golf Show also donated £5,000 to the PGA Benevolent Fund. Established at the founding of the association the charity continues to assist members in hardship or distress.
John Davis, The Golf Show Event Manager, said: “Support of The Golf Show has grown across the industry year-by-year and with exhibitors taking more stand space than ever, 2014 has been the biggest ever.
“As we strive to enhance the show each year and offer greater value to exhibitors and delegates alike, it has been pleasing to hear the positive feedback from both new and familiar faces.”
The feedback of exhibitors at The Golf Show 2014
Neil Howie, President and Managing Director of Callaway Golf EMEA, said: “As Europe’s largest gathering of PGA Professionals, The Golf Show has once again provided our sales and marketing team the perfect platform to showcase our complete product range to both customers and media.
“We have been delighted by the reaction, especially to our recently announced, Big Bertha Alpha 815 Drivers and Big Bertha irons. There is a real momentum behind our Callaway and Odyssey brands and it is fantastic to see our products exciting the golfing market.”
Christina Smith, Director of Golf2Golf – home of Daily Sports and Surprizeshop, said: “Presence at The Golf Show 2014 has enabled us to raise brand awareness with a large and relevant audience. During the event, we have been able to expand our customer base by approximately 25% and importantly we’ve established new, and built on existing, relationships, which helps drive sales even after the show has ended.”
Stephanie Zinser, managing partner at Lynx Golf, said: “We know The Golf Show to be the strongest of its kind in Europe and wanted to come and meet PGA professionals and showcase our product.
“Business at the event has been phenomenal and feedback over the three days has been hugely positive, putting Lynx Golf on an excellent trajectory going into next year. We are already looking forward to exhibiting next year at The Golf Show 2015.”
Andrew Keast, Director of MIA Technology, said: “When you’ve got so many PGA professionals in one place, you’ve got a good opportunity for lead-generation and interest in the brand at The Golf Show has grown year-on-year. Business at this year’s event has surpassed our expectations with 20-30 new leads.
“We’ve been busy for all three days and once again, the event has proved to be the perfect place to do business.”
Adrian Longstaff, Mizuno Sales Manager UK&I, said: “In all the years Mizuno has been to The Golf Show, 2014 has been the best for us, particularly in terms of new accounts opened.
“Getting so many PGA professionals under one roof is key for us and once again, The Golf Show has delivered that, so we’ll definitely be returning in 2015.”
Giles Birkhead, Sales Director of Ping Apparel, said: “The Golf Show 2014 has provided a great platform to re-launch PING apparel, green grass professionals are pivotal to the success of the brand and the show is an excellent environment to connect with our customers, the event management is first class and we look forward to supporting again in 2015.”
Graeme Smeaton, Director of first-time Golf Show exhibitor, Royal & Awesome, said: “Our objective before the event was simply to raise our profile and boost sales in spring 2015, but we’ve exceeded our expectations by taking numerous orders as well.
“The event has been a unique opportunity to speak to so many retailers, we’ve welcomed the opportunity to hear feedback from retailers already selling Royal & Awesome, as well as opening new accounts.”
Tom Armitage, Director at YOB Golf, said: “The Golf Show offers us a captive audience and interest in our latest products and services has been high this year, with more than 150 PGA professionals engaging commercially. Once again we’ve experienced a busy and profitable Golf Show and as well as developing new business our sales increased more than 50% over last year.”
The Golf Show returns to the HIC on October 6-8, 2015.
To find out more about The Golf Show 2014, visit www.golftradeshow.co.uk or follow @GolfTradeShow on Twitter and Like The Golf Trade Show on Facebook.