Golf Industry Show Ranked 82nd Largest of the Year
(May 26, 2006) – The Golf Industry Show started off on the right foot as the inaugural event received the No. 82 ranking from Tradeshow Week 200 for its strong performance in Orlando, February 2005.
Tradeshow Week compiles data submitted from trade shows and ranks the 200 largest out of approximately 3,600 annual trade shows in the United States. Rank is determined by net square feet of paid exhibit space. Show listings include: net square feet, number of exhibiting companies, number of professional attendees, number of exhibiting personnel, space rates and location. The ranking covers the 2005 calendar year only.
"This reconfirms what we already felt was a huge success in Orlando," Steve Mona, CAE, CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), said. "This is due in large part to our new partnerships, the new and innovative concepts, the hard work of the staff and the tremendous value it provides members and the golf industry as a whole."
A record 22,723 people attended the 2005 Golf Industry Show in Orlando. Other record numbers included 8,149 qualified buyers (those who can influence purchase decisions) and 826 exhibitors covering 270,760 square feet at the Orange County Convention Center that week, the third highest amount of exhibit space for a GCSAA-sponsored event.
"The 2005 show exceeded everyone’s expectations," Mike Hughes, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) CEO said. "This ranking just reinforces the optimism towards future Golf Industry Shows and the numerous opportunities provided to industry members at those events."
After relocating the 2006 Golf Industry Show from New Orleans to Houston following Hurricane Katrina and then from Houston to Atlanta just a few months out due to scheduling conflicts, there was an expected decline in attendance. The entire convention industry was affected by the hurricanes, which will be reflected when the 2006 rankings are released next year. Nonetheless, both Mona and Hughes felt the Atlanta show continued the momentum that was started in Orlando.
The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities, and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. Featuring its signature interactive solution centers, as well as the largest exhibit floor in the industry, the event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners/operators, general managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders. The Golf Industry Show is presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), along with supporting organizations, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). The 2007 event will be Feb. 22-24 in Anaheim, Calif. Visit www.golfindustryshow.com.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig
GCSAA Director of Communications
800-472-7878, ext. 430
jbollig@gcsaa.org
Julia Ozark
GCSAA senior manager, trade show
800-472-7878, Ext. 3606
jozark@gcsaa.org
Joe Rice
NGCOA
800-933-4262, Ext. 222
jrice@ngcoa.org
