PGA President Ted Bishop welcomes Annika Sorenstam, Ian Poulter, Dottie Pepper, Tim Finchem, Mark King, Jerry Tarde, Joe Beditz, John Solheim, Bob Philion among leaders to discuss industry matters, women’s golf, Golf 2.0 initiatives and latest product innovations.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – A compelling schedule of presentations by industry leaders on the PGA Forum Stage will begin with LPGA Hall of Famer and 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam joining The PGA of America and industry leaders following PGA of America President Ted Bishop’s welcome remarks on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 10:00 a.m. Sorenstam will open the three-day PGA Forum programming schedule with her unique insights on the future of golf and current growth-of-the-game initiatives.
Golf standouts Ian Poulter and Dottie Pepper immediately follow Sorenstam at 11:00 a.m. to deliver keynote presentations on the business of golf from their perspectives. The presentation, moderated by NBC Sports and Golf Channel broadcaster Jimmy Roberts, will be followed by a question and answer period with Pepper and Poulter discussing competing at the highest level, under the most intense pressure.
The schedule of presentations is diverse and will include Golf 2.0 initiatives such as PGA Junior League Golf, Tee It Forward, PGA Sports Academy and Get Golf Ready: The Robin Meade Experience, plus programs by COBRA PUMA GOLF and PING. Additionally, Friday’s programming schedule will be begin with a featured State of the Industry Roundtable with panelists scheduled to appear including PGA of America President Ted Bishop, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, TaylorMade President and CEO Mark King and Golf Digest Chairman, Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde, National Golf Foundation President and CEO Joe Beditz, and Dottie Pepper, newly appointed member of The PGA of America Board of Directors, at 10:00 a.m.
“We’re pleased that so many golf leaders, award-winning PGA Professionals and industry influencers are utilizing the PGA Forum Stage at the PGA Merchandise Show to address, discuss and move forward the business of golf during our industry’s largest international business gathering,” said PGA President Ted Bishop of The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Ind.
Organized by The PGA of America, the PGA Forum was introduced in 2007 to provide the game’s leaders with an unprecedented opportunity to reach the more than 40,000 attending international industry professionals with pressing matters impacting the business of golf.
2013 PGA Merchandise Show PGA Forum Stage Schedule
Thursday, January 24
10:00 a.m. PGA President Ted Bishop Welcome Remarks
Annika Sorenstam – Opening Presentation
Annika Sorenstam shares her unique insights on the future of golf and current growth-of-the-game initiatives.
11:00 a.m. Dottie Pepper and Ian Poulter Presentation
Each will deliver keynote presentations on the state of the game and the business of golf from their perspectives. The presentation, moderated by NBC Sports and Golf Channel broadcaster Jimmy Roberts, will be followed by a question and answer period with Pepper and Poulter discussing competing at the highest level, under the most intense pressure.
12:00 p.m. Put Me in Coach! – PGA Junior League Golf
Interested in forming PGA Junior League Golf at your facility? This seminar will answer all of your questions about creating a team.
1:00 p.m. Meet Golf Channel’s New Morning Drive Team
Golf Channel President Mike McCarley will introduce the new, expanded cast of the network’s popular Morning Drive show and provide a sneak peek of its new set at Golf Channel studios. Also, Gary Williams, Holly Sonders, Damon Hack and the new cast additions will form a panel to discuss the big stories for 2013, take questions from the audience.
3:00 p.m. COBRA PUMA GOLF Presents the ‘Golf Feud’ ~ hosted by celebrity John O’Hurley.
COBRA PUMA GOLF athletes take part in a golf-themed Family Feud challenge highlighting the fun of golf for all, especially families. COBRA PUMA GOLF athletes’ game winnings donated to charity.
4:00 p.m. How to Grow Your Business with Women Golfers
Bridget Brennan, author of “Why She Buys” and Stina Sternberg, Golf Digest Global Golf Director
Friday, January 25
10:00 a.m. Industry Roundtable Featuring: PGA of America President Ted Bishop, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, TaylorMade President and CEO Mark King, Golf Digest Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde, National Golf Foundation President and CEO Joe Beditz, and Dottie Pepper, newly appointed member of The PGA of America Board of Directors.
12:00 p.m. Get Golf Ready Turns Five – Panel Discussion with top PGA Teachers of the Year
Panel discussion with top PGA Teachers of the Year about Get Golf Ready programming and implementation.
Moderator: Michael Breed, PGA
PGA Teachers of Year Panelists: Michael Jacobs, Neil Thompson, Chris Rowe, Glenn Deck
1:00 p.m. Marketing and Merchandising to Women
Find out how top PGA Merchandisers of the Year are capitalizing on the purchasing power of women.
Moderator: Bridget Brennan
PGA Merchandisers of Year Panelists: George Kariroff, Dale Smigelsky, Marianne Huning
2:00 p.m. PING ~ Fit for Stroke and Putting Contest Finals
3:00 p.m. Get Golf Ready: The Robin Meade Experience
Get Golf Ready-branded programs can help you and your facility introduce the game to beginners. Robin Meade will be on hand to share her personal Get Golf Ready story and what’s happened since the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Emcee: PGA President Ted Bishop
Speakers: Robin Meade; Suzy Whaley, PGA; Michael Breed, PGA
4:00 p.m. The Platinum Awards Recognizing Premier Golf Shops
The Association of Golf Merchandisers will recognize leading golf shops from around the world, continuing the tradition of Golf World’s 100 Best Golf Shops and the AGM Front Nine awards programs. Recognition will be given to the most creative entries from Public, Private, Resort and Off-Course Golf Shops.
5:00 p.m. U.S. Kids Golf – Top 50 Kids Teachers Awards Presentation
Annually, U.S. Kids Golf recognizes 50 elite golf professionals who have focused their careers to developing youth golf in their communities and are known for their overall excellence and commitment to serving youth. In addition, those who have demonstrated a long-lasting dedication to youth golf and have achieved this award on three of more occasions are recognized as “Master Kids Teachers” and are also recognized at this presentation.
Saturday, January 26
10:00 a.m. Implementing Tee it Forward at Your Facility
Learn how leading PGA Professionals are using the Tee it Forward message to positively impact the golf experience at their facilities.
12:00 p.m. PGA Sports Academy powered by UnitedHealthcare
Come see a live demonstration of the PGA Sports Academy’s physical and golf-related activities. Special thanks to local Boys and Girls Clubs for participating.
(PGA Forum schedule subject to change; updated regularly at www.pgashow.com)
About the PGA Merchandise Show
The 60th PGA Merchandise Show, held January 24-26, 2013, 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 annual global summit for the business of golf. The PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day, the world’s largest professional golf testing event, will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 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 2013 PGA Merchandise Show will be held in the Orange County Convention Center ~ 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 24-25; and 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 26. For more information, visit www.pgashow.com.
About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
PGA of America: Jamie Carbone, (561) 624-8446, jcarbone@pgahq.com
PGA Merchandise Show: Sherry Major, (716) 662-3855, smajor@reedexpo.com
