GCSAA President James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, has announced that the association is giving its support to the PGA Merchandise Show – China, and the PGA Merchandise Show – Asia, now presented under a new partnership of the PGA World Alliance, China Golf Association and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions.
The action represents GCSAA’s evolution of a formalized presence outside the U.S. (other than its affiliated chapter in Ontario, Canada). The association already participates in many golf industry events throughout the world and has developed formalized relationships with foreign-based organizations. In 2011, the PGA Merchandise Show – China will be held March 18-20 in Beijing, and the PGA Merchandise Show – Asia will be held Oct. 20-22 in Guangzhou.
The shows will have a “business to business” focus offering golf-playing equipment, golf apparel, golf business products and services, and golf accessories, as well as golf course construction, design and maintenance products, services, and equipment. Education will also be included.
“China and the Asian region are recognized as a growing market for the game,” Fitzroy said. “It is important that we support the industry to maximize that growth. What does that support look like? That is to be determined, but we have communications vehicles, we do education, we provide information and we have relationships. In the next few months we will be discussing with officials what the appropriate level of participation is for us.”
GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans indicated that while GCSAA has had an international presence in the past, specifically in Asia, its philosophy for the past 15 years has been focused on serving members and industry within its affiliated chapters and building relationships internationally. He said there are many reasons to consider offering products and services internationally beyond what it does now.
“Show organizers approached us because they recognize the value of the GCSAA brand,” Evans said. “We have been the driving force in elevating the golf course management profession domestically and certainly can offer to help do the same outside our borders. We do have members in Asia, so this would allow us to better serve them. Additionally, our industry partners have been looking to establish a greater presence internationally, and we desire to foster that. Lastly, there is the potential to generate revenues to reinvest to provide programs and services for GCSAA members. There is still much to discuss and we are excited to explore the opportunity. We do plan to have a presence at the show in March to help us in the process.”
Under the new partnership of the PGA World Alliance, China Golf Association and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions, Reed Guanghe will organize the PGA Merchandise Show – China, and the PGA Merchandise Show – Asia, with the official support of The PGA of America and GCSAA.
“We are pleased to have GCSAA in discussions with us,” said Preecha Chen, president of Reed Exhibitions China. “We are extremely impressed with the association and its members. There is a reason we reached out to them to explore this opportunity.”
GCSAA www.gcsaa.org
China Golf Show http://cn.chinagolfshow.com
Asia Golf Show http://asiagolf.chinagolfshow.com/index_en.html