NORWALK, Conn. – The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) will host the AGM Summer Forum at the PGA Expo in Las Vegas on Monday, Aug. 19, featuring a new format to include a retail trends roundtable and luncheon; a Tour of Clubs (Bali Hai GC, Las Vegas Golf & Tennis); and the AGM Product Preview & Reception. Additionally, the AGM will present merchandising seminars within the PGA Expo Education Conference on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and provide member services and networking opportunities daily on the Show floor in booth #108 and within a member networking room at the PGA Expo Industry Reception on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
The AGM Summer Forum is held in conjunction with the PGA Expo, Aug. 19-21, where more than 200 top golf brands and companies will showcase the latest equipment, training aids, fashions and accessories for thousands of PGA Professionals and golf retailers in the Grand Ballroom of the Las Vegas Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. In addition to a multitude of new golf and lifestyle merchandise, the PGA Expo also features equipment testing opportunities, a comprehensive education conference, golf fashion programs, professional networking programs and numerous business resources.
“The AGM Summer Forum will give members and guests an exclusive venue to view other retail operations and network with their colleagues,” said AGM Executive Director Desane Blaney. “It serves to give them a broader and fresh perspective on how business is conducted at different properties. One can always learn something new.”
The AGM Summer Forum
Monday, August 19
The AGM Summer Forum is open to all pre-registered PGA Expo golf buyers/merchandisers and transportation will be provided from The Venetian to all AGM events. Advance registration is required at www.pgaexpo.com/AGMForum. PGA members receive 4 MSR Education credits for participation in the AGM Summer Forum.
AGM Summer Forum Schedule:
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bus Departs The Venetian for Luncheon & Retail Roundtable
at Cili Restaurant at Bali Hai Golf Club
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tour of Clubs – Bali Hai Golf Club
• 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Tour of Las Vegas Golf & Tennis
AGM Product Preview & Reception
Monday, August 19
• 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. AGM Product Preview & Reception in the Veronese Meeting Rooms,
The Venetian. (PGA members receive 2 MSR Service credits)
Product Preview Participating Companies (as of 7/18/2013) include: Ahead LLC, Antigua Sportswear Inc, Barth & McCallig, Callaway Golf Apparel, Cutter & Buck, Ecco Inc, USA, Full Turn Direct, Greg Norman Collection, KentWool, Line Up Group/San Soleil, Ouray Sportswear, Protag America Inc, Spanner Golf, St Andrews Products, Sterling Cut Glass Co Inc, Sunice/Tommy Hilfiger/AUR, Tom Morris International, Vantage Apparel.
All PGA Expo attendees are invited to the AGM Product Preview & Reception, PGA Expo badges required. Immediately following the event, complimentary transportation will be provided from The Venetian to the Las Vegas Golf Center for the annual PGA Expo Demo Night, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PGA Professionals, buyers and industry leaders attending the PGA Expo will have complimentary access to the event where the newest equipment, training aids and accessories from more than 40 manufacturers will be tested first hand at the Center’s two-tiered 113-stall lighted driving range, plus the putting and chipping greens. A social golf outing exclusively for PGA Expo attendees will be held at the Center’s Divine Nine, a nine-hole lighted par-3 course. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.
AGM Member Networking
Monday, August 19 – Wednesday, August 21
The AGM will provide member services and networking opportunities daily on the Show floor, Aug. 20 -21, in booth #108 and within a member networking room at the PGA Expo Industry Reception at Lagasse Stadium in the Palazzo Las Vegas Resort on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The PGA Expo’s most popular networking event, the industry reception is free to all PGA Expo attendees and features beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and music. Lagasse’s Stadium combines Emeril Lagasse’s signature cuisine and kicked-up game day eats with more than 100 HD TVs including a 9 foot x 16 foot main TV, luxury boxes, plush stadium-style seating, billiard tables, and an outdoor patio. (Show badges required for admittance.)
AGM Workshops
Wednesday, August 21
In partnership with The PGA of America and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions, the AGM presents educational programming at the PGA Expo Education Conference, Aug. 20-21, at The Venetian Las Vegas. From hands-on outdoor instruction to engaging presenters in classroom environments, the PGA Expo Education Conference will covers the game’s most pressing business topics.
The AGM’s educational leader, Sheryl Bindleglass, will present two merchandising on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
• 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Ten Best Practices To Make Your Shop MORE Profitable
• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Building a Blockbuster Staff – How The Front-Line Contributes
Directly To Your Bottom-Line
In addition to the AGM workshops, PGA Professionals and industry leaders will have the opportunity to build their professional expertise with new, in-depth educational offerings including a hands-on Instructional Workshop with Mike Malaska; the PGA Fast-Track Leadership Development Seminar; a new PGA Expo Technology Symposium; player development sessions from the PGA’s Certified Professional Program 2.0; numerous PGA Education Seminars; and condensed certification sessions offered by FlightScope and U.S. Kids Golf. Learn more about the comprehensive schedule of educational offerings at www.PGAExpo.com/Conference. PGA members receive 1 MSR Education credit per completed seminar.
About the Association of Golf Merchandisers
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. The AGM mission is to:
Educate – golf retail buyers/merchandisers and golf professionals,
Elevate – the golf merchandising profession, and
Enhance – communication between golf buyers and vendor partners.
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. Headquartered in Arizona, the AGM is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation founded in 1989 and governed by a 19-member volunteer Board of Directors.
About the PGA Expo
The PGA Expo, the industry retail springboard for golf equipment, accessories and apparel in the second-half of the golf season, returns to The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Aug. 19-21, 2013. Multiple fashion tradeshows will take place at The Venetian and in Las Vegas during the PGA Expo timeframe, providing a special synergy to golf industry apparel buyers and manufacturers.
In addition to a strong mix of golf apparel brands, the PGA Expo features leading equipment companies offering hands-on testing of their latest innovations and technology at Demo Night, and on the Show floor in the Club Performance and Testing Center, putting green, and ball flight analysis area. Additionally, a new golf technology pavilion and educational symposium on golf technology advancements will be offered.
The PGA Expo traditionally hosts thousands of golf industry leaders to source new merchandise among some 200-plus golf companies and brands, test the newest equipment and training aids, attend the industry keynote presentation, uncover the latest trends at the fashion designer panel, learn new teaching and business strategies and network among peers and industry executives.
The PGA Expo is not open to the public and is an industry professionals-only event. PGA Professionals, buyers and media can register, make travel arrangements and hotel reservations online at www.pgaexpo.com or by calling 800-840-5628.
PGA Expo Social Media – Join the Conversation
Industry professionals can stay up-to-date on the latest PGA Expo news, view photos/videos and engage with peers through a host of social media platforms including the new “Advanced Networking” feature of PGA Expo’s “My Show Planner” and the new PGA Expo Social Media Hub at www.PGAExpo.com/SocialHub.
PGA Professionals and buyers can establish and grow professional connections, before, during and after the event with “My Show Planner” at www.PGAExpo.com. Using this new networking feature allows attendees to strategically locate other industry professionals who meet specified search criteria; build a networking profile exclusive to PGA Golf Shows or by leveraging a Linked In profile; and control professional connections for contact throughout the year.
Follow the Twitter conversation by using #PGAExpo.
The PGA Expo and PGA Merchandise Show are organized in partnership with The PGA of America.
Contact:
Sherry Major, PGA Golf Exhibitions 716.662.3855, smajor@reedexpo.com
Desane Blaney, AGM 602.604.8250
