PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA Expo, Aug. 19-21 in Las Vegas, features the most extensive showing of top golf brands and pre-registered industry professionals to participate in the annual industry event in recent years. Thousands of PGA Professionals, golf buyers and industry leaders are expected to attend the PGA Expo to source the newest golf-related merchandise from some 200 vendors; test the latest equipment; learn the most innovative advancements in golf technology; participate in hands-on, high impact teaching and business education programs and network among peers during PGA Expo events held at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and TaylorMade Golf Experience in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The combination of top vendors and buyers, plus stand-out new professional programming has created a heightened level of interest and excitement heading into next week’s PGA Expo in Las Vegas,” said PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Senior Vice President Ed Several. “It is a collaborative effort with The PGA of America and our many industry partners in organizing the PGA Expo to provide the very best business setting and professional resources to build the business of golf and grow the game.”
Market leaders such as Callaway Golf, COBRA PUMA GOLF, Nike Golf, PING, TaylorMade Golf and Wilson Golf among others will showcase their newest equipment at the 2013 PGA Expo. Nearly 100 golf and resort lifestyle apparel brands will feature their newest collections, while a concentration of golf technology products and service providers will exhibit and demonstrate on the Show floor and in a new “Tech Talk” series on the event main stage.
The caliber of participating vendors and professional programming has attracted PGA Professionals and buyers from top golf clubs, resorts and retail facilities including Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Congressional Country Club, Haggin Oaks, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Medinah Country Club, Pinehurst Resort, The Broadmoor Torrey Pines, PGA Village, Dick’s Sporting Goods, GolfSmith, PGA Tour Superstores, Play It Again Sports and The Golf Warehouse among others.
PGA Expo Overview/Schedule of Events
Monday, Aug. 19, 2013
AGM Summer Forum/Product Preview & Reception
The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) will host the AGM Summer Forum at the PGA Expo in Las Vegas on Monday, Aug. 19, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., featuring a new fashion-merchandising 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, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., at the Venetian. The AGM Summer Forum is open to all pre-registered PGA Expo golf buyers and merchandisers and transportation will be provided from the Venetian to all AGM events. Advance registration is required at www.pgaexpo.com/AGMForum.
PGA Expo Education Conference
• PGA’s Certified Professional Program 2.0* – Player Development Focus
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (5 MSR Education Credits)
The Venetian Las Vegas
*Open to PGA members only
• Instructional Workshop at PGA Demo Night – “Hands On” with Mike Malaska, 2011 PGA Teacher of the Year, Sponsored by Orange Whip Trainer
4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. (2 MSR Education Credits)
TaylorMade Golf Experience, Las Vegas – Complimentary Shuttle Service from the Venetian
Additional Educational Programming
• Become FlightScope Certified
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (5 MSR Education Credits)
The Venetian Las Vegas
• U.S. Kids Golf Instructor Seminar
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (7 MSR Education Credits)
The Venetian Las Vegas/TaylorMade Golf Experience Las Vegas
2013 PGA Expo Demo Night
The 2013 PGA Expo begins with the annual PGA Expo Demo Night where PGA Professionals and golf buyers will be able to field test the latest equipment, training aids and accessories first hand from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the new TaylorMade Golf Experience (formerly the Callaway Golf Center.) Leading equipment companies will demonstrate the latest innovations in technology with their newest equipment at the facility’s two-tiered 113-stall, lighted driving range, plus the putting and chipping greens. CHAMP is the official tee sponsor and Pukka is the official headwear sponsor of PGA Expo Demo Night. PGA Expo show badges are required for entry. PGA Professionals will receive 3 MSR Service credits for attending Demo Night. View participating companies and learn more about Demo Night.
Divine Nine Social Golf Outing at the PGA Expo Demo Night
During the PGA Expo Demo Night, a social golf outing exclusively for PGA Expo attendees will be held at the facility’s Divine Nine, a nine-hole lighted par-3 course. Participation includes nine holes of golf, green fees, refreshments, cart rental, club rental (if needed), range and balls and a complimentary gift bag, plus entry into the closest to the pin contest with three chances to win a club fitting. Entry fee is $20. Register in advance or onsite. Complimentary transportation from the Venetian will be provided to pre-registered PGA Expo badge-holders.
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013
Opening Ceremony & Show Hours
Join The PGA of America, Southwest PGA Section and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions officials for a celebratory opening ceremony at 8:45 a.m. outside the Venetian Grand Ballroom. A ceremonial opening swing, confetti canons and bagpipers help the industry tee off the opening day of the 2013 PGA Expo.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Grand Ballroom of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino Las Vegas.
PGA Expo Education Conference
• PGA’s Fast Track To Leadership Development
10:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (3 MSR Education Credits)
The Venetian Las Vegas, Veronese Room
o Description: Three panels of industry leaders discussing (1) market assessment & trends; (2) skill development insights; and (3) professional advancement
• The PGA Expo Technology Symposium
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (2 MSR Education Credits)
The Venetian Grand Ballroom, Show Floor Main Stage
o Description: Golf Digest’s Mike Johnson will moderate two panel discussions: (1) Better Equipment Technology and How to Sell it to Your Customers and (2) Teaching with the Latest Technologies. Both discussions will feature a select panel of leading designers to discuss how innovations in equipment, ball flight simulators and club/ball fitting are impacting how professionals teach and merchandise equipment.
• Panel 1: Better Equipment Technology and How to Sell it to Your Customers
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Panelists: Marty Jertson, PGA, PING; Austie Rollinson, Callaway Golf; Tom Stites, Nike Golf; Benoit Vincent, TaylorMade Golf
• Panel 2: Teaching with the Latest Technologies
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Panelists: Henri Johnson, FlightScope; Brian Farley, Full Swing; Rick Cuellar,Foresight; Doug Rikkers, PGA, GolfTec
Tech Talk Live Demonstrations
PGA Professionals and golf retailers will be able to learn the benefits of using the latest software to increase facility revenue during new live Tech Talk Demonstrations on the Main Stage, Tuesday & Wednesday, Aug. 20-21. The new Tech Talk area of the Show floor will focus on the latest Point of Sale systems, tee time reservation programs, league scheduling, online retail/ecommerce, and other revenue generating software. Each featured company in the Tech Talk area will present a 15-minute “Let’s Talk Tech” session detailing the benefits of the technology they are offering.
• 10:30 a.m. Scan 4 Beer, mobile technology to increase on-course concession sales
• 10:50 a.m. Golf Genius Software, GolfLeagueGenius/GolfTripGenius
• 11:10 a.m. GolfMDs, social media, web technologies and video interaction for teaching professionals
• 11:30 a.m. eShop4Golf, customized digital golf shop software
PGA Expo Industry Welcome Reception
The PGA Expo Industry Welcome Reception returns to Lagasse Stadium in the Palazzo Las Vegas Resort on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The event’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.)
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013
Show Hours
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Grand Ballroom of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino Las Vegas.
PGA Expo Fashion Designer Panel
The PGA Expo Fashion Designer Panel returns to the Main Stage on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 9 a.m. to feature renowned designers Mossimo Giannulli of G/Fore, Chris Rosaasen of Travis Mathew and Tim Dally of Tom Morris. Golf Digest Fashion Director Marty Hackel and Golf Channel fashion aficionado Win McMurry once again will moderate the lively discussion of the latest trends and crossover merchandising opportunities of golf, resort and lifestyle apparel. For more information on the event and designers, please visit www.PGAExpo.com/FashionPanel.
Tech Talk Live Demonstrations
Each featured company in the Tech Talk area will present a 15-minute “Let’s Talk Tech” session detailing the benefits of the technology they are offering.
• 10:30 a.m. eShop4Golf, customized digital golf shop software
• 10:50 a.m. Szen Corporation, business management software
• 11:10 a.m. belongSUITE, sales, communication & design technology solutions
• 11:30 a.m. Golf Genius Software, GolfLeagueGenius/GolfTripGenius
• 12:05 p.m. GolfMDs, social media, web technologies and video interaction for teaching professionals
PGA Expo Education Conference
• PGA Expo Education Seminars – Leadership, Instruction, Retail & Player Development Tracks – 11 Sessions
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (1 MSR Education Credit Per Hour Session)
The Venetian Las Vegas, Veronese Rooms
• Peer to Peer Roundtables – Best Practices Among Public, Resort & Private Golf Facilities
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (1 MSR Education Credit)
The Venetian Las Vegas, Show Floor Main Stage
PGA Expo Vendor Awards
1:00 p.m.
The Venetian Grand Ballroom, Show Floor Main Stage
o Top 3 Products of the New Product Zone
o Buyers’ Choice Award for the Best New Exhibitor
Interactive PGA Expo Show Floor
Fashion Row
Leading apparel companies will feature their latest collections in the PGA Expo “Fashion Row”, located just outside the Venetian Grand Ballroom doors and in the spotlight for thousands of attending apparel exhibition attendees. On the Show floor, a strong showing of golf and resort apparel lines will host numerous fashion presentations while providing industry professionals with comprehensive looks at their latest lines for 2014.
PGA Expo Club Performance & Testing Center
The PGA Expo Club Performance & Testing Center features an indoor golf range and test center. PGA Professionals and golf retailers can experience hands-on testing of the newest equipment and the latest advances in technology and design from leading golf manufacturers including Callaway Golf, PING, Flightscope, Foresight, TaylorMade Golf, Wilson Golf, Tour Edge and BK Golf.
Tech Talk Exhibitor Pavilion
PGA Professionals and golf retailers will be able to learn the benefits of using the latest software to increase facility revenue in one convenient setting of the new Tech Talk Exhibitor Pavilion. The new Tech Talk area of the Show floor will focus on the latest Point of Sale systems, tee time reservation programs, league scheduling, online retail/ecommerce, and other revenue generating software. Each featured company in the Tech Talk area will present a 15-minute “Let’s Talk Tech” session detailing the benefits of the technology they are offering on the PGA Expo Main Stage.
New Product Zone
The New Product Zone is one of the most popular areas on the Show Floor because it is the best place to see all the newest merchandise in one location. The New Product Zone, located in the 100 aisle, is being expanded to accommodate growing interest by exhibitors and attendees and will be segmented by equipment, apparel and accessories. Influential PGA Professionals and buyers will vote for the top three products of the New Product Zone. Award winners will be announced at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the PGA Expo Main Stage.
PGA Member Business Center
PGA Professionals will have access to a multitude of services, workshops and professionals in the PGA Member Business Center in the Venetian, Aug. 20-21, during Show hours. In addition to Association representatives from Golf 2.0, education, employment, insurance, and membership services departments, The PGA of America will offer complimentary employment workshops and a PGA Town Hall, where members can engage directly with PGA leaders on the Association’s most pressing topics. PGA Professionals may earn up to 20 MSR credits through participation in various PGA Expo events. View more information on PGA member programs at www.PGAExpo.com/attendees/PGA-Members.
PGA Expo Registration
Advance registration for the 2013 PGA Expo is open to industry professionals online at www.pgaexpo.com. The PGA Expo is a trade industry-only event. Onsite registration is available at the Venetian Ballroom with proper golf industry credentials. Additional badge information is available here.
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.
Contact:
Sherry Major, PGA Golf Exhibitions 716.662.3855, smajor@reedexpo.com
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America 561.624.8444, jcarbone@pgahq.com.
