The 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience, August 14-16, welcomed thousands of PGA Professionals, golf buyers and business leaders from 45 U.S. states and 30 countries to Las Vegas for three busy days of merchandise sourcing, product testing, education, professional networking and special events.
Two new event venues were extremely well received by attending professionals – the annual Pro-Pro Tournament moved to the award-winning TPC Las Vegas and the PGA Demo Experience relocated to the climate-controlled environment of Topgolf Las Vegas – a flagship property of the popular golf entertainment destination. Merchandise exhibits, special events and education programs returned to the upscale setting of the Palazzo Ballroom at The Venetian Hotel.
The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience featured the participation of nearly 200 golf companies and brands including up-and-coming designers, entrepreneurs entering the market, veteran golf manufacturers, established apparel brands and market leaders such as Callaway, Cobra Golf, PING, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, TaylorMade Golf, Titleist, Tour Edge and Wilson. Top apparel brands took advantage of the upscale PGA Fashion & Demo Experience setting and simultaneous timing of Las Vegas Fashion Week including brands such as Ahead, Antigua, Bobby Jones, Callaway Apparel, Cutter & Buck, Donald Ross, Dunning, ECCO, EP NY (formerly EP Pro), FJ, Fairway & Greene, Greg Norman Collection, Jamie Sadock, J. Lindeberg, Linksoul, Peter Millar, PING Apparel, SKECHERS, Straight Down, Travis Mathew, Under Armour, Vineyard Vines and Zero Restriction.
“The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience in Las Vegas comes at an ideal time of year and serves a vital purpose for those PGA Professionals who are preparing budgets and making business decisions for 2018,” noted PGA President Paul Levy. “For those PGA Professionals in Sun Belt regions and in the western United States, it is especially convenient to come to Las Vegas in August to catch up on what is happening in the golf industry, discover the latest merchandise and update themselves with education, instruction and business seminars. It has been a very worthwhile and productive three days.”
Attendance at the PGA Demo Experience nearly doubled and education conference participation was up 18 percent. Influential PGA Professionals and buyers, traveling from 45 states and 30 countries, joined industry leaders and a crossover of apparel buyers from Las Vegas Fashion Week trade shows to build strong buyer engagement with vendors on the Show Floor. PGA Professional attendance was up 8 percent and key buyer attendance up 1 percent, while overall attendance decreased slightly. The top five countries (outside of U.S.) represented in attendance were Canada, Korea, Mexico, Japan and the United Kingdom. The top five U.S. states represented in attendance were California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Texas.
PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Award Winners
PGA Professionals and top golf industry buyers voted for the best new product among the merchandise displayed in the PGA Show New Product Showcase. The 2017 New Product Showcase winner is SelfieGOLF USA, a versatile training system allowing the user to capture hands-free video with complete stability from any position or any surface. www.selfiegolfusa.com
Influential PGA Professionals and golf buyers also voted one exhibitor new to the PGA Show as the Top Buyers Choice. The 2017 Top Buyers Choice is Tzu Tzu Sport, colorful golfwear infused with eye-catching embellishments, sassy details and a flattering fit. www.tzutzusport.com
2018 PGA Shows – Save the Dates
The 2018 U.S. PGA Merchandise Show is scheduled for January 23-26, in Orlando. Visit PGAShow.com for detailed information. The 2018 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is scheduled for Aug. 13-15, in Las Vegas. Visit PGALasVegas.com for detailed information.