The largest Golf Industry Buying Group in Europe with over 1000 members, has again broken records at the Foremost ‘Golf Trade & Exhibition Conference’ at Harrogate.
“We have led the way in evolving this Golf show into an event that adds critically important and very practical educational content for our members” stated Paul Hedges, CEO Foremost Golf. “We had more delegates spending more of their money with our approved suppliers which, pleases our suppliers who support this event. But just as importantly for the whole industry we have again delivered very practical training to Golf Professionals on how to reduce their investment in inventory, how to speed sell-through and how to create improved cash-flow in their business”.
Andy Martin, Director Supplier Services, Foremost Golf supported Hedges comments: “Some in the industry are still locked into hammering even more out of the suppliers when the truth is that all the major players receive ‘Best Terms’. Over the last 12 months, and again at this GTEC 09, we have worked hard with our Professionals and Suppliers to see improved, and strengthened, trading relationships that improve loyalty and service while creating less pressure on the individual Professional’s cash position”.
Richard Herring, PGA Professional at Orsett Golf Club and one of over 400 delegates who attended the show, echoed the views of those who have already provided feedback. “Excellent. Easy booking for the event, hotel taken care of; made to feel very welcome; excellent Sunday seminars that reinforced my belief in the role of the Club Professional; well organized entertainment with great networking in a relaxed atmosphere; and a trade show with all the necessary suppliers with good displays of the new 2010 equipment & apparel”.
The suppliers have noticed a growing level of retail professionalism in the Foremost Golf group. Brian Mair, Sales and Marketing Director, Sunderland of Scotland commented, “The GTEC ‘09 event was the best show for us in many years and we particularly noticed that the Foremost Professionals had a high level of retail commitment when placing their orders with us on the stand”.
“Growing the Retail Professionalism of our members, providing them with the tools to more effectively run their business and supporting them with the leading marketing services for the Golf Professional has been the focus of our last shows” added Hedges. “The feedback from the suppliers is a very strong endorsement that we are on the right track, especially in the prevailing economic conditions”.
Foremost Golf www.foremostgolf.com