The UK Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA) and The Organisation of Golf & Range Operators (OGRO) are present GolfBIC 2015 “Golf’s Future – Inclusive and Accessible” which will take place at the Marriott Forest of Arden, 16-17th March
This is now the fourth year of collaboration between OGRO and the UKGCOA. The Golf Business and Industry Convention – GolfBIC – is now a must attend event for large chunks of the golf industry.
The organisers say, “This year’s theme – ‘Golf’s Future – Inclusive and Accessible’ – could not be more relevant to all of us involved in the golf industry today. We need to find more golfers but if there are no more golfers who will readily take up golf at present, then we need to include new types of leisure user within our facilities. We are really clear that golf is indeed a fantastic game, but most of the people reading this will already be keen, avid or dedicated golfers. Golf is a complex and subtle game and it does not surprise me that people start it, but then fall out of the sport. Embarrassment and all of the fears that it brings are among the chief reasons for this, so by making people feel very comfortable at your golf facility, you are increasing their chances of starting to play the great game, even if their first experience of a golf course is through kicking a ball!
The table-top golf exhibition will run throughout the day on Monday. Leading specialists will be on hand to talk you through their range of products and services and many will be joining you in the seminars too. This is our industry and together we need to understand each other better. We’re very grateful for their support and sponsorship.
Day One – Monday 16th March
The program that we have put together includes FootGolf, Social Media, the latest range technology and design from the team behind Silvermere’s phenomenal new golf range. We will also be looking at how juniors and women can be included more easily within this great game. If you want your club to have a thriving membership then people must really want to be a part of it – there is no better example of how to develop an inclusive tribe than Gregg Patterson. We have a very special treat lined up for the ‘Women in Golf’ session and will release more news on this soon.
We have assembled a highly talented and experienced panel of experts for our panel discussion. This is a real opportunity to get your questions answered and your opinions aired there are some difficult questions for golf at present and will look to find some of the answers in this session.
As in past years we will be raising money for the Golf Foundation and were delighted that Brendon Pyle, the new chief executive of the Golf Foundation will be with us to introduce the charity. There will be plenty of opportunity for catching up with old friends, meeting new and generally getting together at this, the industry’s best networking opportunity.
Day 2 – Tuesday 17th March
UKGCOA start the day with their AGM and an update on the taxation situation. This session is closed to non-members, but anyone interested will be able to join in the day, if they are not already a member.
The European Golf Course Owners Association – EGCOA, have done some major work with their vision 2020 project. OGRO and the UKGCOA are delighted to welcome them to lead the first section of the Tuesday schedule. Friendly-fun-flexibility-family are the themes for this section and we trust this will allow all the delegates to be inspired by our European colleagues.
National Golf Month was a major success last year and attracted thousands of new and returning golfers to facilities across the UK. Doug Poule will be presenting this year’s promotion, which everybody is welcome to participate in. He will show you how and why you should be involved, prior to the start of the campaign just after Easter.
In recent years the role of the golf professional at most golf facilities has changed dramatically. A typical club professional in years gone by would’ve been responsible for all sorts of duties; teaching, retailing, public relations, club repairs, competitions, course design, committee work etc, etc – the list seemed endless. David Colclough from the PGA (and himself a PGA professional) leads the debate on how to get the best from your PGA professional. Surely they can be no better expert to lead membership sales, future growth and the overall enhancement of golf at your club or course.
The one major ingredient lacking from almost every sales team in golf is enthusiasm. Gregg Patterson, who concludes the presentations for the event this year will emphasise the power of your club. Gregg is passionate and devoted to enthusiastic management from the top to the bottom of any organisation. There can be no greater exponent of this art.
The event concludes at lunchtime and delegates will be free to play golf or make their way home at any time after that.
It would be boring to continue to exaggerate the problems with the golf industry at present, but this is the very reason why people should attend GolfBIC. A problem shared is a problem halved and they will be hundreds of delegates, running varying types of golf facility, all seeking ideas and offering to share their experience of golf operation. Find out what works and what doesn’t work share your ideas and come away reinvigorated for the coming season.
To members of OGRO, UKGCOA, PGA or BGIA, the event costs just £199 + VAT (for other delegates the cost is £269 + VAT) to attend. Register by emailing Debbie Goddard at: debbie.goddard@ukgcoa.com or call her on 02476 414999 x 206. The fee includes: buffet lunch on both days, dinner, pre-dinner drinks and accommodation with breakfast on a single room basis at The Marriott Forest of Arden. Access to the exhibition, all seminars, the workshops and lunch on day two are also included.
The Day Delegate cost is £60+ VAT for either Monday or Tuesday as a day delegate – this excludes the dinner, drinks and accommodation.
For PGA professionals the event carries 50 CPD points – 25 points for each day’s attendance.
The Exhibitors who have already booked for 2015 include: UKGCOA, OGRO, Toro, Ransomes Jacobsen, John Deere, Club Car, Material Matters, Stay Prime, European Golf Machinery, ESP Leisure Ltd, Intelligent Golf, City Golf Europe AB, Foresight Sports UK, Srixon, True Strike, BGIA, BMS Products, Savills, Hi-Nets, Powertee, Range Solutions, Mike Copson, Majestic Coffee, Huck Nets, Golf Finance, BIGGA, PGA and Huxley Golf.
GolfBIC 2015 – the golf business and industry convention – is at the Marriott Forest of Arden, 16-17th March 2015 – more details at: http://www.golfbic.com
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