With the addition of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) as a presenting partner for the 2007 Golf Industry Show, Feb. 22-24 in Anaheim, Calif., event organizers are expecting to surpass the numbers from the first two Golf Industry Shows, in terms of attendees, exhibitors and exhibition space.
To date 689 exhibitors have already signed on, accounting for 252,600 square feet of exhibit space. CMAA brings approximately 400 additional exhibitors to the Golf Industry Show, 40,000 supplementary square feet of exhibit space and 2,500 extra qualified buyers to the event.
Projections for the 2007 Golf Industry Show call for approximately 25,000 attendees, 1,200 exhibitors and 298,000 net square feet of exhibition space. The inaugural Golf Industry Show was held in 2005 in Orlando. A merger of trade shows hosted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the first Golf Industry Show registered 22,723 attendees, 826 exhibitors, 270,760 net square feet of exhibitor space and 8,150 qualified buyers, earning a ranking of the 82nd largest trade show in North America that year from Tradeshow Week 200.
In a joint statement, GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, NGCOA CEO Mike Hughes and CMAA CEO Jim Singerling noted the favorable reception the Golf Industry Show has already received. “Attendees and exhibitors have been overwhelmingly positive about the Golf Industry Show. Attendees see the value of having the leadership team together to enhance decision-making, while exhibitors appreciate the efficiency of interacting with key facility leaders at the same time under the same roof. We believe the 2007 Golf Industry Show in Anaheim will build on the quality of the first two events.”
The 2006 show was forced to move from New Orleans to Houston five months out after Hurricane Katrina and then because of a scheduling conflict, organizers were forced to move again to Atlanta less than four months away. Even with the last minute change of plans the 2006 Golf Industry Show netted 18,900 attendance, 756 exhibitors, 244,200 net square footage and 6,650 qualified buyers.
The 2007 show floor layout will feature four Solution Centers and something for every member of the golf course, facility and club management team: Team Solutions, Clubhouse Solutions, Golf Course Solutions and Range and Outdoor Facility Solutions.
Front and center on the trade show floor, the Team Solutions Center will feature a center stage where dynamic presentations, demonstrations and appearances will take place. Activities will focus on the importance of teamwork to the success of the facility. Appearances will include the Disney Institute, presented in partnership with The Toro Company; The American Culinary Federation Culinary Team USA, presented in partnership with CMAA; and Ray Evernham and NASCAR, presented in partnership with Ingersoll Rand/Club Car, Inc.
The Clubhouse Solutions Center will represent operations inside the clubhouse. Technology solutions will feature cutting edge products that improve the member, guest and golfer experience. Attendees will visualize, experience and learn the benefits of a fully equipped and efficiently designed and managed spa facility at a course or club. The building of the spa will be will be presented by WTS International. Solutions to be highlighted include flexibility (i.e. multi-purpose rooms accommodating massage, nails, hair, etc.), creating atmosphere (i.e. lighting, sound proofing, temperature, music, aromas), working within space constrictions, budgeting, how to solicit contractors for design, layout and construction, hiring and training a staff, services/product demonstrations and merchandising. Finally, the American Culinary Federation Culinary Team USA will perform with educational cooking and equipment demonstrations, taste testing, a presentation by entegra/ICs and more.
The Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) will be constructing and renovating bunkers in the Golf Course Solutions Center. The construction and renovation projects will also be tied into one or more of the GCSAA Education Conference offerings throughout the week, including the Feb. 22 Remodeling University, where seminar participants will take a field trip onto the show floor to see the construction projects in action. Complementing the construction and renovation projects will be presentations by some of the marquee names in golf course architecture, construction and renovation, offering solutions to successful bunker maintenance, drainage, and more.
The Range and Outdoor Facility Solutions Center will feature an Indoor Golf Studio, presented by Golf Greens “Fore” U, complete with hitting stations and tee boxes, simulators, a putting green and a stage equipped with cameras to analyze swing. Another highlight will be an Outdoor Events Showcase, where a facility can learn how to generate non-golf revenue through outdoor events such as weddings and receptions, family reunions, catered events and more. Solutions featured will include outdoor flooring options, outdoor lighting, water features, outdoor furniture and fixtures, and state of the art outdoor kitchen equipment. GPS and other outdoor facility technologies will also be showcased in this Solution Center, including on-cart GPS technology that allows golfers to measure distances, order food and beverage while on the course and allows superintendents to monitor pace of play and track golf cart and utility vehicle travel, personalized on-cart greetings, two-way communications and swimming pool chemical monitoring from inside the clubhouse.
The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities, and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. Featuring its signature interactive solution centers, as well as the largest exhibit floor in the industry, the event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners/operators, general managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders.
The Golf Industry Show is presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), along with supporting organizations, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). The 2007 event will be Feb. 22-24 in Anaheim, Calif. Visit www.golfindustryshow.com
Along with the Golf Industry Show, GCSAA, NGCOA and CMAA will be presenting their annual education conferences in Anaheim as well. GCSAA’s Education Conference will take place Feb. 19-24, NGCOA’s Annual Conference will be held Feb. 20-23 and CMAA’s World Conference on Club Management will be held Feb. 23-27.
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