The PGA of Europe’s initiative in staging two major events back-to-back to form the Munich ‘GOLFEST‘ has been rewarded by record-breaking figures, both for the 11th Golf Europe trade exhibition and for the 6th Teaching and Coaching Conference.
In a six-day bonanza of education followed by marketing and merchandising, unprecedented anywhere in Europe:
- nearly 900 golf professionals from 29 countries attended the TCC
- 319 exhibitors from 27 countries was an increase of ten companies since last year
- more than 5,300 trade visitors from 50 countries were at the trade show
- 46% of the trade visitors to Golf Europe came from outside Germany (2002: 41%)
The attendance figures, up nearly 20% on last year, which were themselves a record, further strengthened Golf Europe’s claim as golf’s biggest, boldest and most comprehensive and spectacular shop window on this side of the Atlantic.
Both events were enthusiastically greeted by expert opinion and by pros from as far away as Australia, Brazil, China, right across Europe and parts of Asia.
“I‘ve learned a great deal from this,” said Mark Gibson, the Australia PGA’s award-winning teacher after listening to the three-day programme of presentations by world-renowned specialists at the TCC. “We have nothing like it at home,” he added. ” I‘m taking a great deal of information back with me.”
Opening the Trade Fair, Sir Michael Bonallack, the PGAE President, endorsed the sentiments expressed by his immediate predecessor, Jaime Ortiz-Patino, a year earlier.
“I understand that Jimmy declared that there was no need for his marketing manager to travel out of Europe to stock his shop at Valderrama,” said Sir Michael. “Now I‘ve walked around the two large halls here I understand completely what he meant.”
Sir Michael added that there was also stability and continuity for exhibitors and buyers alike in the form of the renewed five-year agreement now in operation.
Lawrie Thornton, general secretary of the PGA of Europe, said: “We are delighted that both events were so well received and supported by so many individuals and companies from such a wide range of countries.
“The Teaching and Coaching Conference, like Golf Europe, has grown each time it has been staged. It will take place in Munich again in 2005 and we confidently predict that more than a thousand golf professionals will be there.
“As for Golf Europe, it has progressed steadily every year and there is every cause to believe that this trend will continue throughout the next four years of the contract.”
In line with the enhanced visitor numbers and quality, exhibitors also showed high satisfaction. Gary Miller, president of the Golf Europe professional advisory council and managing director of Acushnet GmbH, said, “The internationality of the fair is excellent. We were able to make many new contacts.”
Timo Regier, Callaway’s sales manager for central Europe, added, “We are highly satisfied with the fair. We recorded a growth in customer contacts and are getting positive feedback on the outlook for the coming season.”
Golf Europe 2004 will take place from Sunday 3rd to Tuesday 5th October 2004.
Golf Europe www.golf-europe.com
PGA of Europe www.pgae.com