Golf Industry’s Largest Gathering of Owners, Operators Scheduled Feb. 8-12 in San Diego
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Oct. 6, 2009) – Todd Buchholz, the keynote speaker for the NGCOA’s 2010 Annual Conference and a noted economist whose bio stretches from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to Broadway, has some advice for golf course owners and operators: look for opportunity in economic crisis.
“(Owners) need to realize they’re not the only ones whose revenues are off,” says the former director of economic policy at the White House. “Newspapers are begging for anyone to take out an ad. It’s the same thing for other media and for a lot of the companies that supply things courses have to buy. So there might be an opportunity for some significant savings, which could offset some lost revenue.”
Buchholz, who will speak at the NGCOA conference (Feb. 8-12 in San Diego), served as director of economic policy under President Bush from 1989-1992. He is a managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund, an award-winning economics teacher at Harvard and the author of several books, including Lasting Lessons from the Corner Office. He’s also a co-producer of “Jersey Boys,” the long-running Broadway hit and 2006 Tony Award winner for Best Musical.
Despite his impressive credentials, Buchholz says he still gets intimidated at some golf courses. “I worked at the White House, and I found it less intimidating to walk into the Oval Office than to play a round of golf at some places.”
In addition to a friendly welcome from an engaging staff, Buchholz thinks courses would do well to take a lesson from Broadway and practice more of what he calls “price discrimination.”
“Theaters are figuring out ways to charge more at certain times,” he says. “They’re being more flexible with their pricing, and that’s helping them bring more people to the theater.”
The conference’s educational sessions will help owners and operators understand how to adapt to consumers’ new attitudes and purchasing patterns, as well as position themselves to take advantage of improving economic conditions.
NGCOA members and non-members can register for the conference at www.ngcoa.org/conference. Early-bird registrants receive a $150 discount on on-site registration fees.
The NGCOA’s Annual Conference will run concurrently with the 2010 Golf Industry Show, Feb. 10-11, at the San Diego Convention Center. The Golf Industry Show, which is expected to attract more than 625 manufacturers and service providers whose exhibits will cover more than 220,000 net square feet, is presented by the NGCOA, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Club Managers Association of America.
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About the NGCOA
The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org or call 1-800-933-4262.
Contact:
Bill Bryant, Bryant Marketing Communications
678-366-3232
bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com
