The 2nd Golf Business Conference www.golfconference.eu will take place on 23rd-25th April 2008 in Warsaw, Poland, with the developing new markets of central Europe as its main focus. ‘Early bird’ discounts are available to all those who register before 10th March.
The first conference took place in April 2007 in Wroclaw. Over 100 delegates from 18 countries attended. Apart from the high standard of lectures and discussions it was also an ideal occasion for business networking.
This year in Warsaw the second GBC will be one of the most important meetings for the golf industry in Europe. It will be the unique chance for people in the new markets of Central and Eastern European to meet and learn from some of the best specialists and all delegates will have great business opportunities to make deals and contracts.
There are 130 golf courses in Central Europe at present and the numbers are constantly increasing. More and more facilities are being built. They differ and are in various stages of development. From high budget golf facilities to inexpensive, town pitch & putt courses.
The number of golfers is growing – over 40.000 people are registered in national golf bodies. It is hard to state the exact amount of players but in Poland alone about 10.000 people have contact with this sport. Simultaneously golf tourism is becoming more popular and in the future can become an important part of further golf development.
An international line up of speakers is confirmed for the conference. Among them are:
• Denise Adams, Kitson & Partners.
• Mark Casey, Solheim Cup
• Terry Coates, Central European Countries Travel Association
• Jerry Kilby, Club Managers Association of Europe
• Lodewijk Klootwijk, European Golf Course Owners Association
• David MacLaren, PGA European Tour Courses
• Michael Pask, IMG
• Marek Podstolski, PGA of Poland
• Ian Randell, PGA’s of Europe
• Geoff Russell, Golf Business News.com
“Organisation of conferences in Poland is a very important factor stimulating golf development in our part of Europe,” says Pawel Lewinski, organiser. “This type of meeting, when people with various experiences in many aspects of golf industry gather in one place to share their knowledge and opinions, is very important.”
“Each step brings more and more development to golf in Poland and in the central and east Europe region,” states Marek Podstolski, president of PGA of Poland. “There are many very good golf courses on which biggest tournaments can be played. With the help of educational programmes of PGA of Poland the number and professionalism of golf teachers rise. This is with no doubt, the region in which we will observe a dynamical development of this sport.”
“We are seeing throughout the golf industry worldwide developers and golf property operators faced with many of the same challenges. There are proven successful marketing strategies that need to be shared with emerging golf markets and developers.” says Denise R. Adams, vice president, marketing, Kitson & Partners.
“This knowledge coupled with well thought out and implemented marketing campaigns will reduce the challenges and help emerging markets and developers achieve their intended results. The Golf Business Conference is an ideal platform for an exchange of ideas, strategies and standards of operation relating to actual developing and operating golf properties in all disciplines from high-end daily fee and resort to fully private golf clubs.”
The main sponsor of the conference is again the Toro Company while Jeff Howes Golf Design, Syngenta and Eurobest are supporting sponsors. The honorary patrons are the PGA’s of Europe, the PGA of Poland, Polski Związek Golfa, European Golf Association, European Golf Course Owners Association, Club Mangers Association of Europe and Central European Countries Travel Association.
The Conference is organised by the Golf Poland Company – Tel. no. +48 503-041-628 or biuro@golfpoland.pl
Golf Business Conference www.golfconference.eu