Dubai (United Arab Emirates): GolfEx Dubai will be back bigger and better next year after the innovative two-day event surpassed all expectations, according to organisers Driving Force.
Potential business worth a minimum of US$10 million was generated at the inaugural staging of a conference and exhibition which brought together the business of the world of golf at one venue as well as providing a platform for industry heavyweights to network, share knowledge and broker deals.
Some of the biggest names in the sport attended GolfEx Dubai, including Tiger Woods’ manager Mark Steinberg, former European Tour chief Ken Schofield, former Open champion Peter Thomson and Asian Tour chief executive Louis Martin.
And more than 500 visitors also took the chance to check out the displays of 28 exhibitors from 20 countries which showcased the latest products on the golfing market.
Neil Hamp-Adams, the managing partner of Driving Force, said: "We’ve created something unique which we think will go from strength to strength. The big thing for us is to learn from this event and to make sure that we come back next year ten times better.
GolfEx 2
"On the conference side, I could not have imagined or asked for a better line-up of guest speakers. Without doubt, their support has been a major factor in the success of the event. And the venue of the Jumeirah Conference Centre has been a spectacular success for this event."
Hamp-Adams believes the fledgling event has already established itself as a key part of what is now being termed the ‘Desert Swing" – early season European Tour events in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and the Dubai Desert Classic which gets underway on Thursday.
He said: "Hopefully we’re already entrenched on the world golfing calendar. We are now looking forward to cementing relationships at all levels and taking big steps forward next year."
IMG’s Steinberg gave day two of GolfEx Dubai a high-powered start with a compelling insight into what is required to manage the careers of golfers such as Woods and female number one Annika Sorenstam. And Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, the managing director of ISM whose roster of clients includes Ernie Els, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, then spoke about sponsorship along with Schofield and Guy Kinnings, of IMG.
A Tiger from another era, Peter Thomson, was another popular speaker on the second day of the event. The 75-year-old, known as the Melbourne Tiger at the peak of his career in the 1950s and 1960s, has gone into the history books for winning the British Open five times. He spoke about the burgeoning popularity of golf and the challenges facing the professional game in Australia.
Contact:
Alan Ewens
Press and Media Services
PO Box 52465, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +97150 4514188
e-mail: alan2804@emirates.net.ae
