The second day of the 2024 PGA Show paid tribute to veterans and active-duty military personnel with a patriotic schedule of special events designed to heighten awareness of PGA HOPE programs across the US.
While PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of PGA REACH, occupied the spotlight on Thursday, the second day of the 2024 PGA Show was very busy, with a full schedule of PGA Education Conference seminars, presentations and panel discussions on five show floor stages, 10 specialty pavilions housing special events and special exhibitors, and a handful of celebrities again on the PGA Show floor as more than 1,000 companies showed off their latest products and innovations.
“The PGA Show usually slows down a bit on the second day, but it seemed to be just as busy as opening day today,” observed Jennifer Bermingham, PGA of America Director of Development for Invited Clubs in Irving, Texas (formerly Club Corp.). “I take in a lot of the education seminars and presentations every year at the PGA Show, and this year some of the most educational presentations have been on the PGA Industry Stage. Each panel discussion has the foremost experts and each is a new learning experience.”
“It’s nice to see such great energy back at the PGA Show,” said Jeff Leonard, PGA Director of Golf at The Club at Cheval in Tampa, Florida, who is attending his 20th PGA Show. “I’m here to see what’s new on the technology side of golf, but I have also discovered several new companies that I haven’t seen before. It has been very productive.”
On the business side of the PGA Show Thursday, Tifosi Optics Marketing Director Henk Van Dongen was writing orders at a record pace. “We wrote as much business yesterday as we did all three days last year, and it has been equal or better than that today,” said Van Dongen. “My background is in auto shows, but the PGA Show has surpassed all of our auto shows from a sales standpoint. The traffic has been phenomenal.”
Thursday’s activities concluded with the PGA Show Winter Jam concert, supported by adidas and Corebridge Financial and headlined by country music star Jake Owen in a new concert lounge in Hall E of the Orange County Convention Center. The concert served as a fundraiser for PGA REACH and PGA HOPE, while honoring PGA HOPE Ambassadors and PGA Professionals who host PGA HOPE programs.
