PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (July 24, 2017) – The 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is custom-built to offer business and career growth opportunities for PGA Professionals within three packed conference days, Aug. 14-16, in Las Vegas. Merchandise sourcing for the upcoming season, personal testing of the newest equipment and technology, and more than 20 educational sessions headline a long list of valuable resources made available in a compact, upscale setting which annually attracts thousands of industry leaders.
“The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience in Las Vegas comes at an ideal time of year and serves a vital purpose for those PGA Professionals who are preparing budgets and making business decisions for 2018,” notes PGA President Paul Levy. “It is especially convenient timing for many who are preparing for their upcoming season and who want to catch-up on what is happening in the golf industry through the latest education, instruction and business seminars. It’s a very worthwhile and productive three days.”
Pro-Pro Tournament, Aug. 14 – TPC Las Vegas
The 2017 edition of the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience begins on Monday, Aug. 14, at TPC Las Vegas, with the annual Pro-Pro Tournament, presented by Golf Genius Software, which is also the tournament’s Official Scoring Partner. The four-ball tournament begins with an 8 a.m. shotgun start and will feature 50 two-person teams competing for a $13,000 purse. Also, a longest drive contest will be presented by Vertical Groove Golf, and a closest to the pin contest will be presented by Fat Tire Golf Scooter.
PGA Demo Experience, Aug. 14 – Topgolf Las Vegas
Following the Pro-Pro Tournament, the PGA Demo Experience is moving to a new host venue – the air-conditioned setting of Topgolf Las Vegas on Monday, Aug. 14, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. The PGA Demo Experience will feature top equipment brands, training aids and ball flight technology companies, with hands-on testing in the Topgolf Level 1 hitting bays, putting demonstrations on a specially-designed putting green in the East Room, and an indoor marketplace in the Central and West Rooms.
Golf Professionals are invited to participate in skills contests to win $2,000 in prizes in the Topgolf Level 2 hitting bays. Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the industry networking event. Complimentary transportation will also be available to and from The Venetian throughout the PGA Demo Experience, with the first bus departure from the Venetian Tour Bus Area at 3:30 p.m.
PGA Professionals can earn four MSR credits for attending the PGA Demo Experience at Topgolf Las Vegas.
Exhibits and Special Events, Aug. 15-16 – The Venetian Hotel Las Vegas
• Exhibits – Nearly 200 companies and brands will show off their newest apparel, accessories, equipment and technology innovations in the upscale Palazzo Ballroom, located on Level 5 of The Venetian. The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is again co-located with multiple Las Vegas Fashion Week trade shows making apparel and accessory sourcing across multiple events convenient to PGA Professionals and fashion retailers.
• PGA Town Hall – All PGA Professionals are invited to the PGA Town Hall with PGA President Paul Levy and PGA of America Chief Membership Officer John Easterbrook, PGA, on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 12:15 p.m., in the Venetian Marcello Conference Room on Level 4. One MSR Credit will be earned for attending.
• Live Fashion Show and Networking Reception – The Live Fashion Show and Industry Networking Reception have become popular traditions at the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience. The 2017 edition is on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 5:30 p.m. on the Show Floor. The Live Fashion Show features the latest lifestyle, resort, golf and accessories brands from Callaway Golf Apparel, Daily Sports, Garb Inc., Jofit, LIJA, Movetes, Skechers, Straight Down Clothing Co., Travis Mathew Apparel, Under Armour, Wellness Interactive Inc., and many others. Following the fashion show, the PGA Show Floor remains open for the industry networking reception from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Education Conference, Aug. 14-16 – The Venetian Hotel Las Vegas
The 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Education Conference will feature industry experts delivering presentations and addressing questions in instruction, leadership, golf fitness, retail and marketing in the Marcello Conference Rooms on Level 4 of The Venetian. Daily keynote sessions, certification programs and more than 20 classroom seminars will be featured.
• The keynote on Tuesday, Aug. 15 features PGA of America Chief Membership Officer John Easterbrook, PGA, moderating a special panel discussion, “Characteristics of PGA Members Sought After by Top Employers” at 9 a.m. Panelists include Troon Golf Chairman and CEO Dana Garmany, PGA; GOLFTEC CEO and Co-Founder Joe Assell, PGA; and UNLV PGA Golf Management Program Director Dr. Chris Cain, PGA.
• On Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 8 a.m., the keynote presentation focuses on teaching with “Best Business Practices of Award-Winning Instructors.” PGA Master Professional Dawes Marlatt, Senior Director of Education & Organizational Development for the PGA of America, will moderate a panel that includes 2016 PGA Teacher of the Year Mike Adams, 2011 PGA Teacher of the Year Mike Malaska, and 2015 LPGA Teacher of the Year and PGA Master Professional Alison Curdt.
PGA MSR Credits
PGA Professionals can earn up to 20 MSR credits for participating in PGA Education and events associated with the 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience. One MSR credit can be earned for each education seminar attended. Detailed descriptions of education sessions, instructor biographies and online registration for Education Conference seminars are now available at PGALasVegas2017.com/Education.
About the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience
The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience, Aug. 14-16, 2017, in Las Vegas, is an annual merchandise sourcing, product testing, industry networking and professional education event, exclusively for golf industry professionals. Event details and registration are available at PGALasVegas.com.
Contact:
PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions: Sherry Major, (716) 662-3855, smajor@reedexpo.com
PGA of America: Michael Abramowitz, (561) 389-4647, mabramowitz@pgahq.com
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