Attendee & Exhibitor Participation Up vs. Last Year
NORWALK, Conn. – The PGA Fall Expo, which was redesigned and moved to Mandalay Bay last year, is experiencing an increase in pre-registered attendees and exhibitors across all categories for the Sept. 10-12 industry showcase in Las Vegas.
Overall pre-registration numbers have increased by 44 percent in comparison to last year five weeks before the event and could push industry attendance well past the 4,000 mark on site. Influential golf retailers such as American Golf, Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, Riviera Country Club, Bali Hai and Brentwood Country Club are sending PGA Golf Professionals and buyers to preview the latest golf merchandise from a combination of golf’s market leaders plus nearly 200 exhibitors who do not exhibit at the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
Similarly, the number of participating manufacturers has grown 14 percent over last year at this time with the top names in golf manufacturing returning to push participating companies over the 400 mark. Companies such as Callaway Golf, Nike Golf, Bobby Jones, Greg Norman, MacGregor, Cutter & Buck, Bridgestone, Club Car, EZ Go, Yamaha and more are counting on the PGA Fall Expo to reach influential Expo buyers, 86 percent whom do not typically attend the industry’s annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
"There is a lot of excitement in the air with this year’s PGA Fall Expo, and it is no surprise to me that golf’s top manufacturers and buyers are returning," said Stephen Cryan, PGA Golf Professional and Director of Retail at Pinehurst Resort. "With the changes made to the format, the new host venue, and new programs, the PGA Fall Expo has become an influential industry event to accomplish many of your business goals and buying needs for the upcoming season."
Additionally, the new Demo Day component of the 2nd Annual PGA Fall Expo Golf Tournament has been a resounding pre-event success with more than 50 exhibitors signed on to demonstrate product attributes within the practice facility and vendor village at the Royal Links Golf Club from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10.
A few playing spots remain in the 2nd Annual PGA Fall Expo Golf Tournament that day at Royal Links, with starting times at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each shotgun features a $1,000 prize for the top two-person PGA member team and Sterling Cut Glass awards for the top amateur finishers. Tournament participants will also enjoy complimentary lunch or breakfast, a PGA Fall Expo gift bag and an afternoon wine-tasting featuring Bonterra Vineyards, the Official Wine of The PGA of America and the 2007 PGA Fall Expo. (Click here to register to play)
Since announcing the expanded education conference offerings just two weeks ago, more than 100 PGA Golf Professionals and industry leaders have registered to attend the conference featuring 18 seminars on revenue-building programs, the latest retail trends, new apparel technologies, junior golf and career-building subjects. All seminars are presented by PGA Golf Professionals and leaders of the Association of Golf Merchandisers in conjunction with the Expo, Sept. 11-12, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mandalay Bay.
This year, the popular industry welcome reception at the House of Blues, free to all PGA Fall Expo attendees, features the world premier of the Survivor Celebration CD with performances by jazz recording artist Marcus Johnson and folk rock performer Aharon on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The PGA Fall Expo is host to three related initiatives to benefit breast cancer survivors, the Survivor Celebration CD, the Survivor Celebration Tour and Pink Scorecard Days.
An exciting new combination of events and programs have made the 2007 PGA Fall Expo an ideal setting to book spring orders, learn the latest industry trends, personally test products and network with colleagues in the fun host city of Las Vegas. The PGA Fall Expo will tee off on Sept. 10 at Royal Links Golf Club with the PGA Fall Expo Tournament & Demo Day. Interactive exhibits, seminars and special events will be at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Convention Center, Sept. 11, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sept. 12, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. PGA members and golf industry professionals can register, make travel arrangements and hotel reservations for the 2007 PGA Fall Expo online at www.pgaexpo.com or by calling 1-800-840-5628.
The PGA Fall Expo, organized in partnership with The PGA of America, is one of four leading golf trade shows in PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions’ global golf portfolio including the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando; the Ontario PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Toronto, Canada; and the PGA Merchandise Show of Australia in Queensland.
Contact:
Sherry Major, PGA Golf Exhibitions 724.530.2808, smajor@reedexpo.com
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America 561.624.8446, jcarbone@pgahq.com