International Business Wales, the overseas trade and investment arm of the Welsh Assembly Government, has teamed up with Visit Wales and Ryder Cup Wales 2010 to showcase key elements of what the nation has to offer the global golf industry. It has been hosting a major stand for the sixth year running after considerable success at previous shows, when Welsh firms secured deals with businesses from across the globe.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for the Economy and Transport, said,: “The PGA Merchandise Show is the world’s biggest golf trade show and we are delighted to be able to support the attendance of Welsh companies. It provides a fantastic platform to highlight the innovative products and golfing expertise they can offer. We continue to use the fact that Wales is hosting the Ryder Cup in 2010 to help promote Wales as a world class business and leisure destination.”
John Jermine, Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales added, “The Ryder Cup isn’t just a golf tournament; it also represents a major catalyst for business opportunities and generates wider economic investment. Wales has an impressive golfing pedigree which we are keen to showcase in Florida. This year, for the first time, we will have the Ryder Cup Trophy itself on the stand.”
With just three years to go until the 2010 Ryder Cup, many Welsh businesses are already reaping the economic benefits that the world’s third largest sporting event will bring. One such firm is Primus Products Ltd, which produces the Driveaway golf kit cleanser and deodorizer, specifically designed to clean all types of golf equipment from grips, clubs and balls to shoes.
The company is returning to the PGA Merchandise Show for the third time after experiencing considerable growth during the last year, as managing director Stefan Cegielski explains, “Exports of our Driveaway cleanser have increased since we exhibited at PGA in 2007 and we look forward to engaging with key contacts in 2008. The 2010 Ryder Cup is creating enormous opportunities for Welsh businesses like ours and we are keen to maximise these by raising our international profile even further.”
Exhibiting at the show for the first time is Proamgolf, whose FlexiStrength golf exercise programme represents an entirely new concept.
Proamgolf’s Len Gibbs says, “Golfers need a completely different form of exercise from other athletes as the body movements required are completely unnatural. Our programme is therefore specifically related to the needs of the game as it builds strength, enhances core stability and increases balance through only seven minutes of exercise per day.
“We are very excited about introducing the product at the PGA Merchandise Show and demonstrating its benefits to golfers throughout the world.”
Golf visitors to Wales also continue to grow in the approach to the 2010 Ryder Cup. Visit Wales has estimated that Wales could build its annual revenues from golf tourism from some £27m in 2005 to about £100m by 2011 and that the fact that Wales will be staging the Ryder Cup in 2010 is providing a major fillip towards the realisation of these ambitions.
Golf in Wales has taken significant leaps forward since it was named by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators as ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination of the year 2003‘. It has since been on the shortlist as ‘Emerging Golf Destination of the Year‘ and three Welsh Courses – Royal Porthcawl, Royal St David’s and Aberdovey – have made it into Golf Digest’s top 100 outside the USA.
The PGA Merchandise Show again providesVisit Wales an opportunity to host a reception to key contacts to sell the virtues of ‘Golf as it Should Be‘. The Celtic Manor Resort and Wales Golf Vacations will be exhibiting alongside Visit Wales.
The companies exhibiting with International Business Wales and Visit Wales are:
Asbri Golf www.asbrigolf.com
Primus Products Ltd www.cleanupyourgame.co.uk
Spherical Blade Ltd and PerfectaPutt www.s-blade.com / www.perfectaputt.co.uk
Spot-on Golf www.spot-ongolf.com
Celtic Manor Resort www.celtic-manor.com
Wales Golf Vacations www.walesgolfvacations.com