A new golf industry conference, to take place in London in April, will focus upon marketing, golf development and expansion, and raising revenue – in addition to offering unprecedented networking opportunities.
The inaugural two-day GolfEx London will run concurrently with the first two days of the London Golf Show at ExCeL on 26 and 27 April.
The conference is promoted by GolfEx Ltd, a company created by a strategic alliance between Dubai-based Driving Force LLC – the company behind GolfEx Dubai – and The Golf Show Company Ltd, owner of the London Golf Show.
The managing director of Driving Force, Neil Hamp-Adams, explained, “There are many industry conferences out there but GolfEx Dubai is one of the most successful and one which the industry takes seriously. That’s clear by the fact Colin Montgomerie will make the opening speech at the 2007 event.
“The London Golf Show attracts not only consumers but also key members of the industry. When you realise how many international golf resorts have a presence in London, either at the show or by means of a sales office in the city, it is easy to see why a conference should be held here at the same time as the London Golf Show.”
The chairman of The Golf Show Company, Colin Brunton, who takes a place on the board of GolfEx Ltd, said, “I am excited to be working with the team from Driving Force, who share our vision for the London Golf Show and for the GolfEx London conference.
“We are hoping to attract golf professionals and industry personnel to the conference, which should provide a lively forum for debate on major changes facing retail operations, on-line sales, and the many aspects and challenges of golf marketing.
“The chance to match the team from the London Golf Show, which attracted more than 30,000 visitors and 320 exhibitors to ExCeL this year, with the team from GolfEx, which has a fantastic reputation in conference management, is a great opportunity.”
The first day of GolfEx London will be dedicated to course and resort marketing and is expected to attract those concerned with the expansion of golf developments, both nationally and internationally. The second day will focus on the business of golf and is likely to appeal to golf professionals, golf club owners, secretaries, and others involved in the many facets of the industry.
Hamp-Adams, added, “While the Dubai event, which will be staged at the Madinat Conference Centre from January 28-29, is our flagship event, we are delighted to have been able to build on the success of the 2006 show and attract interest from overseas.”
Earlier this year GolfEx Dubai delivered a programme featuring some of the best and most respected speakers in the golf industry including the former executive director of the European Tour, Ken Schofield; IMG senior vice-president, managing director of Golf Americas and Asia, and Tiger Woods’ manager Mark Steinberg; and five-time Open champion Peter Thomson.
The two-day conference returns to Dubai in January with the theme of ‘sales and marketing for profitability’. Although primarily a conference, GolfEx Dubai 2007 will also host a trade exhibition and gala dinner to enable the golfing world to share knowledge, broker business deals, and network with the leading figures and experts in the industry.
GolfEx Dubai and GolfEx London www.golf-ex.com
London Golf Show www.londongolfshow.com