NORWALK, Conn. – Business networking opportunities are overflowing at this year’s PGA Fall Expo with a multitude of programs including two golf tournaments, a new demo day, an expanded education conference, the return of the popular opening night industry party and the upscale meeting and exhibit space within the Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center in Las Vegas, Sept. 10-12, 2007.
Professional networking consistently ranks among the top-rated values for both the PGA Fall Expo and PGA Merchandise Show. In 2007, the combination of new and enhanced industry programs at the PGA Fall Expo provides PGA Golf Professionals and golf retailers with the opportunity to preview the newest merchandise, tap into the latest trends, test products and learn from industry experts. Through their PGA Fall Expo participation, attendees are better able to assess the current business landscape and influence business for the season ahead all while enjoying the company of peers in top Las Vegas destinations.
Quickly becoming the event’s most popular networking event, the second annual House of Blues Welcome Reception returns on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free to all PGA Fall Expo attendees, this year’s reception features the world premier of the Survivor Celebration CD with performances by recording jazz artist Marcus Johnson and folk rock performer Aharon. The reception and Expo events are host to three related initiatives to benefit breast cancer survivors including the Survivor Celebration CD, the Survivor Celebration Tour and Pink Scorecard Days.
The 2nd PGA Fall Expo Golf Tournament takes networking outdoors on Monday, Sept. 10, at Royal Links Golf Club with starting times at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The tournament features a $1,000 prize for the top two-person PGA Golf Professional team and Sterling Cut Glass awards for the top amateur finishers. Tournament participants also will 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)
This year, the PGA Fall Expo Golf Tournaments also feature a new Demo Day component at Royal Links from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, that is open to all registered Expo attendees. The Demo Day has been a resounding success pre-event with more than 50 exhibitors signed on to demonstrate product attributes within the Royal Links practice facility and vendor village.
The expanded PGA Fall Expo education conference begins the next morning offering 18 seminars on revenue-building programs, the latest retail trends, new apparel technologies, junior golf and career-building subjects. Attending industry professionals will profit from real-life experience and accomplishments of instructors who are PGA Golf Professionals and leaders of the Association of Golf Merchandisers who have "stood in your shoes," Sept. 11-12, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mandalay Bay.
Since relocating to the upscale setting of Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center last year, attendees have found the new host facility to be more conducive overall to networking within small groups throughout the meeting rooms, lounges, top restaurants and convention hallways.
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. Some 4,000 influential golf retailers including facilities like Pinehurst, Riviera and Pebble Beach will preview the latest merchandise of more than 350 manufacturers including golf’s market leaders such as Callaway, Nike, Bobby Jones, Greg Norman, MacGregor, Cutter & Buck and Bridgestone. 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 954.432.1949, smajor@reedexpo.com
Jamie Carbone, The PGA of America 561.624.8446, jcarbone@pgahq.com