PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – With Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th President of the United States yesterday, the nation stands ready for a fresh approach to meeting the challenges of the economic crisis ahead. The business of golf, a $76 billion industry in the U.S. alone, takes center stage in navigating its own challenging economic waters as the industry unites under the spotlight of the 56th PGA Merchandise Show next week, Jan. 29-31, 2009, in Orlando, Fla.
Despite a troubling worldwide economy, the golf industry’s resolve is apparent with more than 40,000 PGA Professionals, retailers, manufacturers and influential industry executives from around the world anticipated to converge at the annual launch of the new golf business cycle. Pre-registration for the PGA Merchandise Show is holding steady at just 5% down, but representing all sectors of golf, every U.S. state and more than 76 countries.
“Our industry is uniting next week at the PGA Merchandise Show to offer new and better ways to do business, grow participation and move forward the game at every level,” said PGA President Jim Remy of Okemo Valley Golf Club in Ludlow, Vt. “Manufacturers are introducing ground-breaking product innovation at fair prices to stimulate pent up interest by golfers. PGA Professionals are implementing diverse programs to grow participation. As an industry, we’ll get through this, and when we come out the other side, golf will be strong again.”
More than 1,100 top golf manufacturers create the world’s largest business-to-business golf event within 10 miles of Show aisles at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Participating PGA Merchandise Show exhibitors include golf’s top market leaders such as adidas, Ahead, Antigua, Bridgestone Golf, Callaway Golf, Cleveland Golf/Srixon, Cutter & Buck, EP Pro, Fairway & Greene, Gear For Sports, Greg Norman Collection, Nike Golf, PING, PUMA, Tehama, Titleist, Under Armour, Zero Restriction ~ plus some 400 companies new to the Show.
Many of these companies will host celebrity appearances by PGA and LPGA stars such as Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam, Boo Weekley, Paula Creamer, Ian Poulter, Nancy Lopez and more.
Interactive exhibits, product testing at the Indoor Demo Day, education seminars, Fashion Gallery presentations, industry awards, trend reports, professional networking, merchandising workshops, best practices presentations and more pack unprecedented value into the daily schedule of the industry’s biggest week of golf business.
The Outdoor Demo Day, Jan. 28, tees off the Show for PGA Professionals, media and invited guests to test equipment outdoors at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Fla. Later that evening, industry professionals are invited to an exclusive PGA/AGM Product Preview and Buyers Reception, followed by a complimentary Elations Concert featuring Dennis DeYoung performing the music of Styx.
The PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 29-31, is a trade only event and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. For more information or to register for the 56th PGA Merchandise Show, visit www.pgashow.com.
2009 Media Fact Sheet
The PGA Merchandise Show, organized in partnership with The PGA of America, is one of three leading golf trade shows in PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions’ golf portfolio including the PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas and the Ontario PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Toronto, Canada.
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