Teams With National Diversity Solutions To Support Supplier Diversity Initiative
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America will host the second annual Golf Supplier Diversity Forum during the 56th PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 17-19, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. The inaugural event was facilitated by National Diversity Solutions (NDS), a Lexington, Ky. based certified minority owned business, to expand their Golf Industry Supplier Diversity Initiative.
This forum, which attracted in 2008 strategically selected minority and women owned businesses, provides a platform for these types of businesses to broaden their industry knowledge, meet key executives that drive golf’s economic engines, stimulate interest and create opportunities to participate in the $76 billion golf industry.
NDS will recruit, register, assess and qualify minority and women-owned businesses to become PGA Preferred Suppliers. Created to infuse diversity into the golf industry; the qualification program will provide buyers within the golf industry the confidence necessary to develop long-term strategic business relationships with these suppliers.
The PGA of America will, in turn, endorse and promote the PGA Preferred Suppliers to industry businesses with the desired outcome of substantially increasing spending with minority and women-owned businesses over the next five years while growing participation from these consumer groups in the game of golf. NDS will track the progress and provide periodic reports. The PGA’s annual goal for vendors/suppliers at its major championships is for 25 percent of the spending to be with certified minority and women owned companies. During the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla., 26 percent of the suppliers and vendors enlisted by The PGA were minority or women-owned businesses.
“Through this forum, The PGA of America is committed to attracting industry decision-makers to join forces to increase supplier diversity within the golf industry,” said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka. “Enhanced supplier diversity is critical to stimulating growth within the industry and participation in the game, as well as delivering a positive financial impact on the profitability of companies. NDS is a great ally to our Association as we move forward to build the next generation of PGA Preferred Suppliers.”
About National Diversity Solutions
National Diversity Solutions (NDS), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, is certified by the Kentuckiana Minority Business Council, an affiliate of the National Minority Business Suppliers Development Council. NDS works with clients to Quantify the value of diversifying their supply chain by identifying the costs, benefits and risks of pursuing new, diverse approaches. We effectively Plan for our clients’ supplier diversification success by developing comprehensive communication and risk mitigation strategies. Utilizing customized technology solutions, such as our exclusive Supplier Collaboration Portal, NDS can recruit, assess, Qualify and maintain a list of those suppliers best suited to help our clients achieve their unique goals. Through strategic sourcing and ongoing supplier relationship management, we can also Execute a successful supplier diversification plan by competitively bidding client needs to a diverse group of qualified suppliers. More information about National Diversity Solutions can be found online at www.NDSOLUTIONS.org
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
Ashley Plant Ross
561/624-7671
aross@pgahq.com
