NORWALK, Conn. – PGA Golf Exhibitions and the AGM, Association of Golf Merchandisers, announced today the continued participation of the Association and their membership in the PGA Merchandise Show, held January 26-28, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The AGM, an international, professional association of golf-related merchandisers and vendors, will host their Annual Retail Conference and Product Preview and Reception on Wednesday, January 25th at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). Additionally, the AGM will exhibit on the Show floor and AGM instructors will contribute to the PGA Education Conference, January 26-28.
“The AGM is strong proponent of the PGA Merchandise Show and values the multitude of programs available to connect with our members and influential industry leaders,” said AGM Executive Director Desane Blaney. “PGA Show Week is a valuable opportunity to discover new trends, source great merchandise, learn best practices and move our business forward in the coming year.”
“The continued contributions and programming of the AGM during PGA Merchandise Show week are especially valuable to our vendors and attending professionals,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President John McGeary. “We are pleased that they are among many important allied golf organizations that utilize the PGA Merchandise Show to connect with their membership and industry leaders.”
The Annual AGM Retail Conference, Wednesday, January 25, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., in Rooms W330-W340 of the OCCC, boasts a list of seasoned professionals to bring members up-to-date on the state of retail, what’s on the horizon and more. Featured conference programs include “The State of Retail” by Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation; “Golf 2.0” by Joe Steranka, CEO of The PGA of America; “Emerging Trends for Golf…and What They Mean for Your Business” by Henry DeLozier, principal of Global Golf Advisors; and “What Every Retailer Can Learn from Apple” by James Dion, president of Dionco. Additionally, Arthur Little, Jann Lemming and Jon Last, along with the AGM Education Team of Vicki Bernstein, Sheryl Bindelglass, Tracy Moffatt and Becky Wilkins will offer programs that leverage their areas of expertise to bring conference attendees information to grow their business and increase their bottom line.
The Retail Conference is sponsored by AGM Vendor Partner members including: Abacus, Antigua, Barr Display, Callaway Golf Apparel, Cutter & Buck, EP Pro, Fairway & Greene, FootJoy, Greg Norman Collection, LinkSoul, Lopez Golf, PGA Golf Exhibitions, Sport Haley, TaylorMade-adidas-Ashworth and Zero Restriction. The conference fee for members, co-workers and spouses is $95 per person. The Retail Conference includes a full day of seminars, the Annual Member Meeting, Awards Luncheon, Front Nine Awards, and the evening Product Preview and Reception. Non-affiliated individuals may attend for $175 per person. PGA members will receive 8 MSR service credits for attending. Visit www.agmgolf.org for more information and to register.
On January 25th, the eve of the Show opening, the AGM hosts the 5th Annual Product Preview and Reception, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in Rooms W330-W340 of the OCCC. The Product Preview and Reception provides an exclusive opportunity for PGA and AGM members to preview products by more than 80 AGM Vendor Partners that will be on the Show floor and network with colleagues in a casual evening atmosphere.
During PGA Show days, January 26-28, the AGM will connect with members and industry leaders at their booth (#6290) on the Show floor and AGM Education Team members Vicki Bernstein, Sheryl Bindelglass, Tracy Moffatt and Becky Wilkins will present education seminars within the PGA Education Conference. For more information and to register for the PGA Education Conference, visit www.pgashow.com.
About the PGA Merchandise Show
The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show, held January 26-28, in Orlando, Fla., will welcome some 1,000 top golf companies and brands and more than 40,000 industry professionals from around the world to the industry’s 59th annual global summit for the business of golf. Outdoor Demo Day, the world’s largest professional golf testing event, tees off the Show on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Orange County National Golf Center. During Show days, PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders will uncover the latest trends, source the newest golf merchandise, test the latest equipment, learn proven business best practices, network among peers and move forward the business of the game. Organized in partnership with The PGA of America as a trade-only event, the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show will be held in the Orange County Convention Center ~ 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 26-27; and 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 28. For more information, visit www.pgashow.com.
About the AGM
The Association of Golf Merchandisers is an international, professional association of golf-related merchandisers and vendors. Members include golf professionals, buyers, merchandisers, students, club managers, owners, and suppliers to the golf industry. Today, more than 850 individuals representing private, public, resort and off-course golf specialty stores are active members of the AGM. PGA members comprised over 30% of the membership. AGM members are responsible for golf merchandise sales in excess of $600 million annually. Additionally, over 135 vendor partners are members of the AGM and, through their membership, they support AGM retail education programs and networking events. Each year the AGM sponsors over 30 educational seminars and networking events.
Contact:
PGA Merchandise Show: Sherry Major, (716) 662-3855, smajor@reedexpo.com
AGM: Desane Blaney, desane@agmgolf.org