In response to the golf industry’s call for a single-platform showcase and modeled after the PGA Golf Merchandise Show in the USA, the first Southeast Asia/India Golf Merchandise Exposition will be staged in Bangkok, Thailand from 30 April to 2 May 2010. Concurrently, the Inaugural PGA of Asia Conference for golf instructors and apprentices will be held at the plush Centara Grand, in Bangkok.
“Southeast Asia and India collectively make up a geographic bloc with a total population in excess of 1.7 billion people,” explained Mike Sebastian, managing director of the Asia Pacific Golf Development Conferences Pte Ltd, the owner and producer of the Southeast Asia/India Golf Merchandise Exposition. “It is one of the fastest growing regions in the world and is also home to some of the most dynamic economies on the planet.”
With a rapidly growing golfing population reported to be between 4 – 5 million golfers in this region, “This is a huge market that needs everything from golf clubs to golf balls, apparel and golf accessories and everything else in between. We expect more than 100 exhibitors at the Expo,” commented Sebastian.
The 2010 Southeast Asia/India Golf Merchandise Exposition will be marketed and promoted in over 15 countries, including India, and is designed to help the golf industry reach this burgeoning market over a three-day period. The exposition is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
“We are delighted that Thailand has been selected as the host nation for the Southeast Asia/India Golf Merchandise Exposition and we are confident that it will serve as a magnet to golf consumers throughout the region,” declared Somporn Juangroongruangkit, Host of the event and president of the Thai Summit Autoparts Industry Company in Bangkok.
According to Veteran Thai golfer, Boonchu Ruangkit, who will serve as the patron of the conference, the PGA of Thailand will host the Inaugural PGA of Asia Two Day Conference.
Tony Meechai, top Asian coach and main famous throughout the region for his “Black Hat” golfing tips, was elated with the news of the conference. He said, “This is awesome. Finally, the golf teaching community is being recognized by the industry and this can only be good for all of us.”
“This is really an achievement for the coaching profession in our region and the PGA of Thailand is excited at playing host to this conference,” exclaimed Kittisak Cholasueksa, secretary of PGA of Thailand.
“We hope to be able to line up some top international instructors and together, with the collaboration of PGA associations that represent golf instructors, we will have a world-class program in place for the delegates who sign up for this event,” added Sebastian.
“Bangkok was selected for these important conferences because it is very centrally located and it has some 1000 professional golfers and golf instructors – reason enough to home-base the event in Thailand,” says Georgina Wong, executive director of Asia Pacific Golf Development conferences. “In addition, it is home to the most number of golf courses in the region; it is reported to have a golfing population of between 700,000 to 1 million golfers; it is centrally located in the region and easily accessible by consumers wanting to attend the exposition; and it is a truly exciting destination to visit.”
“The Southeast Asia/India Golf Merchandise Exposition will be a one-stop shop for both the trade and consumers alike,” concludes Sebastian.
The PGA of Asia conference will be staged in conjunction with the 2010 Southeast Asia/India Golf Merchandise Exposition and the organizers are planning for an impressive attendance of 500 delegates at this first-time conference as well as 30,000 visitors over the duration of the show.
Signature Golf, the Official Marketing agent for both of these conferences www.signature-golf.com