2018 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Attracts PGA Professionals, Industry Leaders and Specialty Retailers to Source Golf and Lifestyle Merchandise; Attend Business and Networking Events in Las Vegas, Aug. 13-15
(Media High-Resolution Photos available at www.PGALasVegas.com/media.)
LAS VEGAS (August 15, 2018) – The 2018 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience, Aug. 13-15, welcomed thousands of PGA Professionals, industry leaders and lifestyle specialty retailers from 43 U.S. states and 20 countries to Las Vegas for three days packed with merchandise sourcing, product testing, education, professional networking and special events.
The annual three-day industry gathering, coinciding with Las Vegas Fashion Week and multiple fashion trade shows, featured nearly 200 participating brands and companies, a comprehensive Education Conference and multiple special events at the premier host venues of TPC Las Vegas, Topgolf Las Vegas and The Venetian Hotel.
Participating companies included up-and-coming designers, entrepreneurs entering the market, veteran golf manufacturers, established apparel brands and market leaders. Top apparel brands took advantage of the upscale PGA Fashion & Demo Experience setting and simultaneous timing of Las Vegas Fashion Week including companies such as Ahead, Antigua, Bobby Jones, Callaway Apparel, Cutter & Buck, Donald Ross, Dunning, ECCO, EP NY, FJ, Fairway & Greene, Foray, Greg Norman Collection, Jamie Sadock, J. Lindeberg, Linksoul, Peter Millar, PING Apparel, SKECHERS, Straight Down, Under Armour, Vineyard Vines and Zero Restriction.
Top equipment and technology companies showcased their newest innovations and included brands such as Callaway Golf, COBRA Golf, Ernest Sports, FlightScope, Foresight Sports, Full Swing Golf, Garmin, HONMA Golf, Miura Golf, PING, SkyGolf, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, TaylorMade Golf and Yamaha Golf.
“We were pleased to host an enthusiastic audience of influential PGA Professionals and buyers at the 2018 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience who came to source the latest fashions, accessories and technology to help drive golf facility, resort and lifestyle specialty retail,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “The positive response to the comprehensive mix of vendors, national-level business programs and networking events reinforces the tangible value of connecting with peers, forging new business connections and strengthening established relationships in person at the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience.”
The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience will return to the Palazzo Ballroom at The Venetian, Topgolf Las Vegas and TPC Las Vegas, Aug. 12-14, 2019. Visit PGALasVegas.comfor detailed information.
2018 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Highlights
PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Pro-Pro Tournament
In the 5th Annual PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Pro-Pro Tournament, played Aug. 13 at TPC Las Vegas, PGA/LPGA teams again provided their share of drama. Sean King, PGA Head Professional at Apple Valley Golf Club in Apple Valley, California, teamed with his assistant professional Michael Reese to record eight birdies in the two-person better-ball event for an 8-under-par 63 and a one-shot victory on a hot day at TPC Las Vegas.
“The golf course was in great condition and the greens were rolling good for as hot as it has been in Las Vegas,” observed King, who made a semi-miraculous birdie from the rocks on the par-5 fifth hole to preserve his team’s momentum. “We both played solid, and this was a great way to start the week in Las Vegas.”
Jared Becher, PGA Professional at Washoe Country Golf Club in Reno, Nevada, teamed with Joey Dendary of Winnemucca Golf Course in Winnemucca, Nevada, to share second place with Nicholas DiLucchi and Milo Lines of Superstition Mountain in Gold Canyon, Arizona, at 7-under 64.
The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Pro-Pro Tournament Supporting Sponsor was Strike Visuals, while PureFit sponsored the Closest-to-the-Pin contest and Strike King sponsored the Hole-in-One contest. Tournament awards were sponsored by Sterling Cut Glass and additional event sponsors included: AfterShokz, Callaway Golf, Cheeta Golf, Chilly Cheeks, KT Tape, Monument Golfer, O’Keefe Golf Prints, The Naked Bee and Vintage Coin Concepts.
PGA Demo Experience
Following the Pro-Pro Tournament, Professionals and golf retailers previewed and tested the newest innovations from leading golf equipment, technology and accessory companies at the PGA Demo Experience at Topgolf Las Vegas on Aug. 13. Topgolf Level 1 Hitting Bays featured hands-on equipment testing, while an indoor marketplace was located in Topgolf’s Central and West Rooms and Level 2 Hitting Bays offered skills contests to win cash prizes.
Kyle Kelley, PGA Head Professional at Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, played in the Pro-Pro at TPC Las Vegas and then commuted to Topgolf Las Vegas for the PGA Demo Experience on Monday.
“The combination of the Pro-Pro Tournament and the Demo Day at Topgolf is just a great way to start the PGA Demo & Fashion Experience every year,” said Kelley. “Topgolf is the perfect place to have a Demo Day, especially at this time of year when it is so hot outside. It’s always great to have so many companies under one roof where we can test the latest golf equipment.”
Companies such as Callaway, Cobra Golf, Ernest Sports, HONMA Golf, Miura Golf, PING, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, TaylorMade Golf, Tour Edge and many others offered equipment for testing in the sold-out Topgolf Level 1 hitting bays.
TaylorMade and Cleveland/Srixon Golf were among several companies using the PGA Demo Experience to launch new products on Monday. TaylorMade drew raves for its new GAPR driving irons, which feature a progressively thicker sole in the 2-, 3- and 4-iron models (low, mid and high launch), with the 4-iron GAPR looking the most like a conventional hybrid club.
“The GAPR is designed to make long irons easier than ever to hit,” said TaylorMade’s Kyle Shupe. “The PGA Demo Experience was the perfect place for us to launch the new GAPRs. Everyone is lining up to hit them and the feedback has been phenomenally positive.”
Cleveland/Srixon Golf surprised PGA Demo Experience attendees by unveiling its new RTX-4 wedges in Tour Raw, Black and Tour Satin finishes.
“Several players on the Tour, such as Keegan Bradley, have been playing the new RTX-4 wedges, but this is the first time they have been available for PGA Professionals and golf industry insiders to see and test,” said Cleveland/Srixon’s Ruben Padilla. “When players put the new RTX-4s in their hands, they are commenting about the exceptional feel and great looks of the wedges. So the PGA Demo Experience has been a great coming-out party for the RTX-4 wedges.”
PGA Professionals and buyers also browsed the newest golf merchandise in an indoor marketplace in the Central and West Rooms. At the Level 2 hitting bays, PGA Professionals and industry leaders participated in skills contests for prizes.
Some PGA Demo Experience attendees were visiting Topgolf for the first time while enjoying hands-on testing of equipment and technology.
“This is my first time at Topgolf and my first time in several years at the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience,” said Robert Spikes, PGA General Manager at El Rio and Silverbell Golf Clubs in Tucson, Arizona. “It’s fabulous to see what’s new in the industry and have a chance to try so many things under one roof.”
“I had never been to a Topgolf, it’s a fun place to hit balls,” said Levon Huntley, PGA/LPGA Professional at Birnam Wood Golf Club in Santa Barbara, California. “Being able to feel and see how golf equipment performs is a tremendous benefit, and it was fun to interact with so many other PGA Professionals.”
Equipment testing, merchandise sourcing, skills contests and peer networking in the dynamic golf entertainment destination of Topgolf combined for a successful and enjoyable industry event to kick off the annual golf business gathering.
Show Floor of the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 14-15, PGA Professionals and golf buyers filled the aisles of the Palazzo Ballroom in search of the newest merchandise for their members and customers among some of the best brands in golf with a special focus on golf fashion as more than 100 apparel and accessory brands took advantage of the annual golf gathering to showcase their newest collections.
“We have been booked with appointments throughout the Las Vegas PGA Show and have used this opportunity to introduce numerous new styles and fashion essentials in the AHEAD and Kate Lord lines,” noted Jessica Georgenes, marketing coordinator for AHEAD USA, which was personalizing 2018 Ryder Cup hats for PGA Professionals at its booth. “It’s always productive when you have so many PGA Professionals and buyers under one roof. We have had accounts from Hawaii and throughout the West stop by to see what’s new and place their orders for the spring of 2019.”
Cutter & Buck had a full appointment calendar throughout two days of exhibits and special events. “What a great show,” said Cutter & Buck Marketing Director Thomas Powell. “We’ve been thrilled to share our ‘New Available Now’ concept – it’s a game changer and the response has been phenomenal.”
Heidi Ehrlich, whose family owns a golf course in Colorado, used the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience to launch her new line of women’s contemporary golf apparel — ella-belle. The colorful line, especially its vivid pink patterns, caught the attention of numerous PGA Professionals, buyers and industry insiders.
“While growing up in the golf business, I noticed there really weren’t a lot of athletic-looking clothing lines catering to women that emphasized form, function and an athletic fit,” said Ehrlich. “Our new designs have really struck a chord at the PGA Las Vegas Show and we’re looking forward to continuing to build on the momentum we generated.”
Cracked Wheat, a Canadian designed clothing company that promises to fit real women right off the shelf saw brisk business throughout the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience.
“Our new Spring 2019 collection has been a big hit here at the show because of our unique fashionable, functional styles,” said Nauz Dibai, representing Cracked Wheat at the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience. “Our fabric with UPF 40 is light-weight and wrinkle resistant with sizes 2-22 – this is golf apparel for real women.”
Veteran golf manufacturers, established brands, up-and-coming designers and entrepreneurs entering the market were among the nearly 200 exhibiting companies and brands to show off their newest merchandise to interested buyers looking for the perfect mix of popular, trending and new products.
One newcomer to the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is AfterShokz, a bone conduction headphone that sits outside the ear, allowing golfers to safely listen to audio while still hearing the golf world around them.
“We love being here at the PGA Show and meeting with PGA Professionals and golf buyers,” said Donnie Coryea, customer & social specialist for AfterShokz. “The relationship between AfterShokz and the golf industry is new, but is blossoming into something significant. We’re happy to offer a change to the way people experience golf and we’re excited to hear all of the positive feedback.”
“The quality of the attendee here in Las Vegas has been very good for us. We have met several new potential clients and formed some great, new relationships,” said Landon Cannon of Full Swing Simulators, who had a steady stream of PGA Professionals and buyers lining up to hit balls on the latest Full Swing simulator on the PGA Show floor. “The Las Vegas PGA Fashion & Demo Experience has been very worthwhile for us in the sense that we see people we don’t see in Orlando (at the PGA Merchandise Show) and we are able to reconnect with existing accounts on the West Coast.”
Levon Huntley, PGA-LPGA Professional at Birnam Wood Golf Club in Santa Barbara, California, who was attending her first Demo Experience at Topgolf, agreed on the value of timing and business connections. “Starting with the Demo Experience and carrying over to the PGA Show floor, this is a perfect opportunity for us to see what’s new in golf and to order everything for 2019,” said Huntley.
Live Fashion Show
Tuesday evening, Aug. 15, concluded with the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Live Fashion Show and Industry Networking Reception. Many of the latest golf lifestyle collections by the industry’s top designers were showcased as the runway production was emceed by Golf Channel Host, Reporter and Writer Bailey Mosier. Live Fashion Show participating brands included AfterShokz, Daily Sports, Gatlon Golf, Jofit, Johnnie-O, Just4Golf, Kaeli Smith, LTC Trading Corp, One Putt Designs, SKECHERS, Straight Down Clothing Co, Tzu Tzu Sport, and Under Armour.
“The Fashion Show is one of my favorite things at the Las Vegas PGA Show,” said Jennifer Tucker, PGA Professional at Superstition Mountain Golf Club in Gold Valley, Arizona. “If I had to list my three highlights, it would be the PGA Show floor, the Fashion Show and the Pro-Pro Tournament. They were all well organized and made it a productive three days for all of us on the Superstitious Mountain team.”
Fashion Show participating company Just4Golf experienced busy appointments, new customers and a lively fashion show to end the first day of exhibits.
“We were most excited to show our new apparel line and the feedback has been excellent here in Las Vegas,” said Linda Faye, President and Founder of Just4Golf. “It has been a really good event for Just4Golf, seeing old friends and making new friends, new connections.”
Immediately following the Live Fashion Show, exhibitor booths remained open for business during an Industry Networking Reception for buyers to enjoy the extended hours to explore, browse, and discuss all the latest finds on the Show Floor.
Education Conference
Industry experts presented topics ranging from instruction best practices and career growth initiatives to retail success and business solutions during the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Education Conference, Aug. 13-15.Certification programs also were offered by the PGA of America and the Association of Golf Merchandisers.
In all, the comprehensive Education Conference offered more than 20 classroom sessions focusing on teaching and coaching, golf operations and executive management. PGA Professionals were able to earn up to 20 MSR credits, through participation in PGA Education and PGA Fashion & Demo Experience programs.
“Don Rea’s seminar on data analytics and how to use data to deliver a proper fee schedule and programs at each type of facility was one of the best seminars I’ve experienced, and I’ve been attending the education classes in Las Vegas for 10 years,” said Chilo Mendoza, PGA Professional and director of operations for Topgolf in El Paso, Texas. “The level of the speakers at the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience this year was exceptional. I picked up so many best practices that will help myself and my staff as we continue to grow the game at our facilities. We also discovered several new companies on the PGA Show floor that we will be doing business with, so it has been a really successful trip.”
“The education classes are always great; and it’s also very convenient for those of us on the West Coast to come to Las Vegas in August for teaching and management seminars from experts in their fields,” said Chris Gilley, PGA Professional at La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, California.
PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Award Winners
PGA Professionals and top golf industry buyers voted for the best new product among the merchandise displayed in the PGA Show New Product Showcase. The 2018 New Product Showcase winner is first-time exhibitor, KT Tape – KT Recovery + Ice/Heat Massage Ball. www.KTTape.com
Influential PGA Professionals and golf buyers also voted one exhibitor new to the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience as the Top Buyers Choice. The 2018 Top Buyers Choice is G/Fore, a long-time exhibitor at the PGA Merchandise Show who made their first appearance this year at the Las Vegas PGA Show. G/Fore started as a colored golf glove and has moved into a complete lifestyle brand from head to toe. www.GFore.com
2019 PGA Shows – Save the Dates
The 2019 U.S. PGA Merchandise Show is scheduled for Jan. 22-25, in Orlando. Visit PGAShow.com for detailed information. The 2019 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is scheduled for Aug. 12-14 in Las Vegas. Visit PGALasVegas.com for detailed information.
Contacts:
PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions/Media: Sherry Major, (716) 662-3855, smajor@reedexpo.com
