PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Renowned golf instructor Butch Harmon will share his unique style of teaching that has proven successful at all levels of the game at the 2011 PGA Expo on Tuesday, August 23, at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.
On the heels of a successful revitalization of the event last year, the 2011 PGA Expo, August 22-24, is experiencing a resurgence in participation with vendors across all sectors planning to exhibit and influential buyers making early attendance commitments. More than 200 golf vendors are expected to introduce their latest equipment, accessory and apparel lines in the upscale Venetian ballroom setting. Harmon will headline the main stage presenters on the first day. Additionally, daily seminars within the annual education conference will offer the latest merchandising programs, key instruction techniques and golf management strategies in nearby classrooms.
“I look forward to this year’s PGA Expo and the opportunity to share my insights with PGA Professionals who help countless golfers enjoy the game more in communities across the U.S.,” said Harmon. “Gatherings like this always prove to be beneficial to moving forward the business of teaching, merchandising and growing the game and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
“We’re excited to welcome Butch Harmon to the 2011 PGA Expo and anticipate a great attendee turnout to hear an instructor of Mr. Harmon’s experience and reputation,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President John McGeary. “With the positive response to last year’s earlier timing, new venue and improved format, early commitments to participate have been fantastic. We plan to set the bar even higher in 2011 by offering more opportunities for attendees and vendors to explore new products, strategies and partners to build the golf business for the upcoming season.”
The 2011 PGA Expo also offers multiple networking events including the popular Elations Industry Reception at TAO Nightclub. Returning to the apparel industry’s “Fashion Week” and the Venetian ballroom, the PGA Expo is positioned at the center of the MAGIC™, MODA™, MRket®, and ACCESSORIES: The Show®* events. Registration for the 2011 PGA Expo is now open online at the re-designed official website of the event, www.pgaexpo.com.
Monday, August 22
PGA Professionals and buyers will be able to field test the latest equipment, aids and accessories first hand during the PGA Expo Demo Night, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., at the Callaway Golf Center, just off the Las Vegas Strip. The event will encompass the open driving range of the practice facility which offers a two-tiered 113-stall lighted driving range; plus the Center’s putting & chipping greens and the Divine Nine – a nine-hole lighted par-3 course. A Demo Night party will be offered throughout the facility to PGA Expo attendees and shuttle service will be provided to and from the Venetian Hotel.
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 23 & 24
Each Show day, the energy on the Show floor will be infused by numerous main stage presentations by key industry influencers, golf fashion designers, PGA Professional instructors and successful CEOs to educate and motivate attendees. Harmon will share his teaching and business expertise during a live interview on the main stage on Tuesday morning, August 23.
More than 200 golf vendors are expected to introduce their latest equipment, training aids, accessory and apparel lines in the upscale Venetian ballroom setting. Attendees can test equipment right on the Show floor at the Golf Performance & Training Center; uncover the newest merchandise at the New Product Center; and network with colleagues among displays of the latest golf fashion lines in the new Fashion FOREward Lounge. Golf fashion takes a special spotlight due to Las Vegas Fashion Week with stand-out golf apparel vendors participating such as Antigua, Cutter & Buck, Fairway & Greene, GEAR for Sports, Greg Norman Collection, IzodG, PING Apparel, Tehama and Under Armour making early plans to present their 2012 spring lines.
The PGA Expo Education Conference, organized by The PGA of America, Association of Golf Merchandisers and PGA Golf Exhibitions, returns in 2011 to provide low-cost seminars on the latest in merchandising, marketing, golf management and instruction each Show day, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PGA Professionals may earn up to 20 MSR credits for their participation in the PGA Expo events and education programs.
And, because professional networking remains a valuable asset of any industry gathering, the PGA Expo counts many programs designed for this within its schedule including the popular Elations Industry Reception returning the first night of exhibition events, Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the popular TAO Las Vegas in the Grand Canal Shoppes of the Venetian.
The PGA Expo exhibits are open on Tuesday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, August 24, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Attendee registration is now open online at www.pgaexpo.com. The PGA Expo is not open to the public and is an industry professionals-only event. Buyers and media can register, make travel arrangements and hotel reservations online at www.pgaexpo.com or by calling 800-840-5628.
About the PGA Expo
For more than 20 years, golf industry leaders have come to the PGA Expo in the second-half of the golf season to source new merchandise and vendors, test the latest equipment and aids, learn new teaching and business methods from proven industry experts and network among peers and industry executives. In 2011, the PGA Expo returns to the popular Venetian Resort Hotel Casino to co-locate again with the MRket and MODA shows during Las Vegas “fashion week.” Traditionally a West Coast springboard for golf business in the new year, the PGA Expo also is valuably positioned for its vendors and attendees among five trade shows during Las Vegas “fashion week” including MAGIC™, MODA™, MRket®, and ACCESSORIES: The Show®*. For more information, visit www.pgaexpo.com.
About Butch Harmon
For 10 years-in-a-row, instructors nationwide voted Butch Harmon No. 1 in Golf Digest’s ranking of America’s 50 Greatest Teachers. Butch Harmon has been involved in the golf arena for more than 42 years. His father, Claude Harmon, a renowned PGA Professional and 1948 Masters Champion, introduced him to the game. Harmon followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming an accomplished player on the PGA TOUR in the early 1970’s, winning the B.C. Open in 1971. These days, Harmon spends his time as President of the Butch Harmon School of Golf located at Rio Secco Golf Club.
Harmon also is a leading analyst for British Sky Broadcasting which covers the Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Tour Championship. He has been a teaching instructor to several PGA Tour pros, including currently Phil Mickelson, Nick Watney, Dustin Johnson and Natalie Gulbis. He has also worked with Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Darren Clarke, Fred Couples, Adam Scott, Justin Leonard, Stewart Cink and Mark Calcavecchia. Mr. Harmon’s students have combined for over 100 PGA, European PGA and Champions Tour victories while under his tutelage, earning millions of dollars in the process.
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The PGA Expo and PGA Merchandise Show are organized in partnership with The PGA of America.
*MAGIC™ is a trademark of Advanstar Communications Inc. Neither MAGIC nor Advanstar Communications Inc. is affiliated with The PGA of America, PGA Expo, or Reed Exhibitions. MODA™, MRket®, and ACCESSORIES: The Show® are trademarks of Business Journals, Inc. These shows and Business Journals, Inc. are not affiliated with The PGA of America, PGA Expo, or Reed Exhibitions. PGA Expo® is a registered trademark owned by The PGA of America.
Contact:
Sherry Major, PGA Golf Exhibitions
716.662.3855
smajor@reedexpo.com
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America
561.624.8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
