The TGI Golf Show, the UK’s most successful golf trade event, saw increased attendance and business written during the two-day show at the Harrogate International Centre, 5-6 November.
TGI Golf is the leading buying group for golf professionals, with more than 380 members across Europe.
The show was attended by more than 800 golf industry professionals, including TGI Golf members and accredited suppliers, including major equipment manufacturers such as Callaway Golf Europe, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Ping, Nike and Srixon, many of whom reported significantly increased business.
Eddie Reid, managing director of TGI Golf, said, “The TGI Golf Show continues to go from strength to strength and more than three-quarters of our total membership seized the opportunity to order from the leading brand names in golf.”
Major equipment manufacturers from among more than 65 exhibiting companies reported significant increases in business written with TGI members.
Steve Carter, national sales manager for Ping, said, “We have written significantly more business than we did last year, an increase of between 25 to 30 per cent, and we put this down to the excellent relationship we have developed with TGI Golf and its members. The TGI Show continually delivers the opportunity to develop good relationships with its quality members and write good business.”
Neil Howie, Callaway Golf Europe managing director, said, “We are extremely pleased with the response from retailers to the 2008 line-up of Callaway Golf products. The show is run in a professional manner and attracts many, quality PGA professionals and retailers. From Callaway Golf Europe’s perspective, and from the UK golf industry’s perspective, this is a beneficial and successful event.”
Mike Lucas, managing director of FootJoy, who was presented with a TGI Golf commendation certificate during the show, in recognition of FootJoy finishing first in the recent TGI Golf supplier survey, said, “Attendance was high and the number of pros who attended from the group was extremely creditable. The TGI members were very willing to come on the stand and talk about their businesses for next year, which made it extremely worthwhile for us as a company to attend the Show.”
The TGI Golf members and delegates benefited from the highly professional presentation of products on well-designed stands, and the assistance of fully represented sales teams over the course of the two days.
“The suppliers did themselves credit with excellent stands and sales presentation, and combined with increased attendance by our members, they helped create an ideal environment for retailers to do business,” added Eddie Reid.
What other leading suppliers said about the TGI Golf Show:
Gareth Jolly, UK and Ireland sales manager for TaylorMade, said, “The show has been very successful. In terms of business, we were 47 per cent up on last year after day one. The members were in a buying mood, which is what the show is all about. Our sales team was extremely busy all day long.”
Simon Parkhill, UK and Ireland sales manager for Nike Golf, said, “It has been another extremely productive show for Nike Golf. The TGI members once again demonstrated the great attitude of coming to the Show to do business.”
Leslie Hepsworth, UK & European director of sales for Srixon, said, “The Show has been absolutely fantastic for Srixon. The members are all interested, they want to talk about the brand, and they want to find out what we are doing for next year. In terms of a trade show, the TGI Show is exactly what you want.”
Tony Wilkinson, managing director of Greg Norman Collection, said, “Well done to the TGI team for another well-organised event. Our stand was busy and we were particularly happy to open some great new accounts in Ireland which is an expanding territory for us.”
TGI Golf www.tgigolf.com