Product Launches, Equipment Testing, Industry Presentations, Education, Celebrity Appearances and More Pack Show Week Schedule of Events
ORLANDO, Fla. – The business of golf in 2009 officially begins tomorrow for some 40,000 PGA Professionals, retailers, manufacturers and industry executives expected to attend the busiest week in golf at the 56th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., January 29-31, 2009.
PGA Show week begins with testing the newest equipment and accessories at the Outdoor Demo Day on Wednesday, January 28, at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Haven, Fla., and then is followed by three jam-packed days of exhibits, education, equipment testing, industry presentations, celebrity appearances and more within one million gross square feet of interactive exhibit space of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla.
The PGA Merchandise Show is open exclusively to golf industry professionals and is the industry’s most influential international business gathering. “The PGA Merchandise Show is the greatest networking experience that exists within our industry, as you get to meet and talk to fellow professionals from across the country and around the world,” said Brian Bain, PGA Professional, Brookline Golf Club, Chestnut, Mass. “It also is the only place you can see all the latest technology available in the game under one roof!”
Golf consumers can view the official web cast at www.PGA.com, with additional coverage at www.pgashow.com. The PGA TOUR Network radio will report live daily, 10 a.m. – noon, throughout North America on Sirius 209 and XM 146 and around the rest of the globe on www.PGATOUR.com. The Golf Channel will provide nightly reports on “Golf Central,” January 28-31, and a one-hour PGA Merchandise Show special hour-long wrap-up on Saturday, January 31, at 8:30 p.m. More than 1,000 media from every U.S. state and some 25 countries will bring an exclusive insiders look of the latest golf equipment, accessories and fashions, plus industry breaking news to golf consumers worldwide.
An overview of the week’s top events (Event details available at www.pgashow.com):
On Wednesday, January 28, the Outdoor Demo Day features more than 90 top golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies within 100+ hitting bays, practice greens and the vendor village of the 42-acre practice facility of Orange County National Golf Center. Outdoor Demo Day special events, demonstrations, contests & prizes and the inaugural New Product Showcase are offered exclusively for PGA Professionals, key retailers and media.
Product Preview & Buyers’ Reception, January 28
On the eve of the Show opening, January 28, The PGA of America and the Association of Golf Merchandisers will host the 2nd Annual Product Preview & Buyers’ Reception featuring a product preview by AGM vendor partners and an industry reception in the Orange County Convention Center. The reception will include the Golf World 100 Best Golf Shops Award Celebration at 7 p.m. This event, which honors the best in retail, will be hosted by Mr. Style himself, Marty Hackel.
Complimentary Elations Concert presenting Dennis DeYoung performing the music of Styx, January 28
Immediately following the PGA/AGM Product Preview & Buyers’ Reception, the Elations Kick-Off Concert, presents Dennis DeYoung performing the music of Styx beginning at 7:30 p.m. in OCCC West Hall F. DeYoung, who wrote eight of Styx’s nine Top-10 singles and helped the group produce four consecutive triple-platinum albums, will perform classics such as “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “Lady,” “Grand Illusion” and more.
Grand Opening, January 29
2008 Ryder Cup stand-out Boo Weekley joins PGA of America and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions officials to officially open the 56th PGA Merchandise Show in the Orange County Convention Center Grand Lobby at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2009.
Big Names, Big Events
– Callaway Golf Presents Annika Sorenstam & Big Bertha Diablo Red – Callaway Golf is staging a special presentation on the PGA Equipment Forum stage featuring Annika Sorenstam on Thursday, January 29, at 1:00 p.m. In the Callaway Golf exhibit, buyers are anxious to experience the Big Bertha Diablo Red, where cutting edge technology meets state of the art design and aggressive graphics in drivers, fairway woods and hybrids.
– The Titleist Experience – In addition to their Show booth, Titleist will present the one-hour “Titleist Experience” where leaders of the Titleist brand will share their vision for the future including the formal introduction of the new 2009 Pro V1 golf ball family, plus Titleist Golf Clubs – new 909 metals, AP irons, Vokey Design wedges and Scotty Cameron putters. The “Titleist Experience” is at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, January 29 and 30.
– PING Presents Lorena Ochoa – PING kicks off their 50th Anniversary celebration at the PGA Merchandise Show with a special presentation of their new line up of products for 2009, plus Lorena Ochoa joins PING on the PGA Equipment Forum stage on Friday, January 30, at 11:30 a.m.
– Many additional market leaders are hosting special events, celebrities and product previews within 10 miles of Show aisles during three busy Show days. See exhibitor announcements and the full special event schedule at www.pgashow.com
Product Presentations, January 29-31
More than 1,100 top golf manufacturers within 1.1 million gross square feet of interactive exhibit space create the world’s largest business-to-business golf event. All of golf’s top market leaders in one place, ~ like 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.
Indoor Demo Days at the ETC, January 29-31
Indoor Demo Days are staged at the Equipment Test Center, a massive indoor driving range located in OCCC Hall A. The Indoor Demo Days at the ETC features a scalloped design with 47 hitting bays, two putting greens, a practice pitching area and a full schedule of demonstrations and clinics. Attendees hit more than 250,000 balls at the ETC last year!
PGA Equipment Forum, January 29-31
In 2009, the PGA Equipment Forum presentations include industry economics; PGA Professional business & teaching best practices; PGA equipment partner programs featuring top professional golfers; global golf branding & emerging markets; PGA employer programs; and industry initiatives on growing golf participation.
Fashion Gallery, January 29-31
The all-new Fashion Gallery is the industry’s premier platform to bring the latest apparel trends to the industry spotlight. Exclusive daily fashion collection viewings reveal the latest lines from today’s top golf fashion designers. Accessories will share the spotlight with a unique Accessory Showcase. Plus, exhibitions of golf art & literature and eco-friendly golf merchandise will complete the Gallery experience.
Education Conference, January 29-31
Created by PGA Professionals and industry leaders uniquely for their peers, the 2009 conference features sessions focusing on navigating the current economy plus industry trends, merchandising techniques, general management, career advancement and the business of teaching. More than 70 seminars are held from 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., January 29-31.
Celebrity Appearances, January 29-31
Many exhibiting companies will host celebrity appearances by PGA and LPGA stars such as Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam, Boo Weekley, Paula Creamer, Ian Poulter, Tom Watson, Nancy Lopez, Fuzzy Zoeller, Morgan Pressel and more.
PGA Awards Night, January 29
The PGA of America presents their most prestigious national awards at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, honoring Phil Tralies as the 2009 honoree of the annual Ernie Sabayrac Award, Jim Antkiewicz with the national PGA Professional of the Year, PGA Merchandisers of the Year, plus several other national 2008 PGA award winners.
New Product Center, January 29-31
The popular New Product Center provides a premium presentation of the industry’s top new products in one convenient setting. More than 350 companies and products are represented here every year in this designated area on the Show floor, which is open to new products only. Best new products are voted on by top PGA Professionals, retailers & industry leaders.
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.
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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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