PGA Golf Exhibitions has announced that overall pre-registration for the 2004 PGA Merchandise Show is up 21% over last year at the same time and equals the same pre-registration period of the 2001 PGA Merchandise Show, an event record-setting year for industry attendance.
Currently, attendees from all 50 states and 68 countries have pre-registered to attend the 2004 PGA Merchandise Show 29th January to 1st-February at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida.
Of particular significance: the category inclusive of PGA members, golf professionals and general buyers is up 22% over last year at this time. Additionally, the Show Education Conference and Demo Day are above last year’s pre-registration levels and the new Pro-Pro Series of five tournaments for PGA Members has reached maximum capacity for all but one tournament on Friday, 30th January.
“PGA professionals, retailers and industry leaders are responding enthusiastically to participating exhibitors and to the bevy of new programs, services and events designed to uphold the PGA Merchandise Show as the pre-eminent marketplace for the business of golf,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions vice president and show manager Christopher McCabe. “The PGA of America’s infusion of new programs coupled with Show enhancements offer a business atmosphere that could launch one of golf’s best years of business.”
The 2004 PGA Merchandise Show will feature new programs such as the Equipment Testing Centre -a spacious indoor driving range for product testing – the Fashion Show & Fairway, Pro-Pro Series of tournaments, PGA Industry Employment Centre and the PGA of America National Awards Night. Successful returning programs include Demo Day, PGA Business of Golf Summit, New Product Centre, Education Conference and the 19th Hole.
One new program popular with exhibitors is the grouping of niche categories into exhibitor pavilions. Six niche exhibitor pavilions will debut in 2004 with most at maximum capacity. New pavilions include Country Club & Resort Apparel, Travel & Lifestyle, Club Management, Golf Fitness, International Exhibitors and New Exhibitors. A full listing of pavilion exhibitors is available at www.pgaexpo.com.
“What began with product grouping many years ago to provide greater efficiency for buyers manoeuvring some 12 miles of Show aisles has developed into a more specific concentration of niche categories,” said McCabe. “Our new exhibitor pavilions are designed to help buyers improve their productivity on the Show floor and to aid those buyers who successfully specialize in niche markets of the golf business.”
The 2004 PGA Merchandise Show welcomes a global audience of more than 40,000 visitors and 1,200 golf-related exhibitors. Buyers can register online at www.pgaexpo.com.
Exposà© Travel Management Ltd, the official UK travel partner for the PGA Merchandise Show, is offering special travel packages for exhibitors and visitors to the Show, with a wide choice of hotels and direct flights from London on Virgin Airlines.
The prices for a 4 night inclusive package start at only £490.00 per person in twin occupancy. Further reductions are available for groups of 10 or more travelling together. Extensions to the stay are possible. Contact Zoë King on 020 8781 6112 or by e-mail to zoe@exposetravel.com for more information and reservations‘
PGA Merchandise Show www.pgaexpo.com.
PGA Show heads for record attendance
