The $75 billion U.S. golf industry tees off the New Year with more than 45,000 global PGA professionals and retailers resolving to grow their business, careers and the game of golf in 2008 through their participation in a jam-packed schedule of exhibits, equipment testing, fashion shows, merchandising programs, best practices and special events at the 55th PGA Merchandise Show, 17-19 January 2008, in Orlando.
Pre-registration for the world s largest golf exhibition is up 5% two weeks prior indicating that the PGA Merchandise Show will once again see more than 45,000 industry professionals from some 80 countries on hand to preview hundreds of thousands of merchandise from more than 1,250 leading golf companies within 10 miles of Show aisles, more than 500,000 net square feet of interactive exhibit space, all under one roof of the massive Orange County Convention Center.
“Since 1954, the PGA Merchandise Show has held the promise of a prosperous New Year for the golf industry,” said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. “As a launch pad for innovation, a catalyst for golf business and an industry forum for the growth of golf participation, this year s PGA Merchandise Show will significantly impact every sector the golf business.”
The PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions have once again injected new value to one of golf s oldest business institutions with the addition of new events and programs that have resulted in the return of market leaders such as PING and Cleveland Golf as well as the continued participation of industry stalwarts such as Callaway Golf, Nike Golf, adidas, the Titleist Performance Institute, Srixon, Ahead, Cutter & Buck, Antigua, Bridgestone, Gear For Sports, Tehama, Bobby Jones, POLO, Club Car, Greg Norman, Fairway & Greene, E-Z Go, EP Pro, Ashworth, Yamaha, Wilson Staff, Nickent, Imperial, Adams, Mizuno, Tommy Bahama, Bugatchi, Harry Vardon, PING Collection, Byron Nelson and many more.
Many of these companies will host PGA and LPGA stars at the PGA Merchandise Show such as Jim Furyk, Greg Norman, Annika Sorenstam, Charles Howell III, Paula Creamer, Justin Rose, Fuzzy Zoeller and more. Additionally, renowned teachers such as PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino, Butch Harmon, Rick Smith, Jim McLean, Jim Hardy, Todd Sones, Suzy Whaley and others will be on the Show floor offering instruction workshops and special appearances at manufacturer presentations.
The 2008 Show begins with the 91st PGA Annual Meeting, 15-16 January, held for the first time in conjunction with the PGA Merchandise Show, where Association leaders from across the United States will gather for professional enhancement, open governance and strategic direction for 2008 and beyond.
The 6th Annual Demo Day, open exclusively to PGA professionals, media and invited VIP retailers, features more than 80 top golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies within 100+ hitting bays, practice greens and the vendor village of the 42-acre practice facility of Orange County National Golf Center, on Wednesday, 16th January from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The PGA Merchandise Show convention doors open Thursday to Saturday, 17-19 January 2008 featuring a full daily schedule of events and programs including interactive exhibits, Indoor Demo Days, multiple fashion shows, education seminars, merchandising presentations, career workshops plus 2008 special programs such as the Adjustable Club Symposium, the PGA s U.S. Golf Economy Forum, Golf In China, the PGA/AGM Product Preview, Fashion Designer Panels, PGA Merchandisers of the Year Best Practices Roundtable, the PGA Play Golf America Conference and more.
The PGA Merchandise Show www.pgashow.com