Top companies, influential buyers and strong business programming planned for Aug. 14-16.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (August 10, 2017) – The 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience will bring together thousands of golf industry influencers Monday-Wednesday, Aug. 14-16, to preview the newest golf apparel and accessory collections; test the latest equipment and golf technology; learn from industry experts; and network with colleagues during multiple special events in Las Vegas.
Two new event venues will be introduced with the annual Pro-Pro Tournament moving to the award-winning TPC Las Vegas and the PGA Demo Experience moving to the climate-controlled environment of Topgolf Las Vegas – a flagship property of the popular golf entertainment destination. Merchandise exhibits, special events and education programs are returning to the upscale setting of the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian Hotel.
The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience features the participation of nearly 200 golf companies and brands including up-and-coming designers, entrepreneurs entering the market, veteran golf manufacturers, established apparel brands and equipment market leaders including Callaway, Cobra Golf, PING, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, TaylorMade Golf, Titleist, Tour Edge and Wilson. Top apparel brands are taking advantage of the upscale PGA Fashion & Demo Experience setting and simultaneous timing of Las Vegas Fashion Week including brands such as Ahead, Antigua, Bobby Jones, Callaway Apparel, Donald Ross, Dunning, Ecco, EP NY (formerly EP Pro), FJ, Fairway & Greene, Greg Norman Collection, Jamie Sadock, J. Lindeberg, Linksoul, Peter Millar, Ping Apparel, Skechers, Straight Down, Travis Mathew, Under Armour, Vineyard Vines and Zero Restriction.
“The combination of new venues, comprehensive merchandise sourcing, returning popular special events and national level education programs are making the 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience an especially valuable three days of business for attending industry professionals,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Event Director Marc Simon. “While the event is fundamentally designed to build business, we also strive to create an industry gathering that is fun, exciting and strengthens our golf community. We think the 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience offers all of this and look forward to welcoming golf business leaders to Las Vegas next week.”
Pro-Pro Tournament
Monday, Aug. 14 – Topgolf Las Vegas
8 a.m. Shotgun Start
• The tournament features a field of 55 PGA/LPGA Professional teams; a $13,000 purse; prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin contests; and $50 per-hole skins contest.
• Sponsors – Presenting Sponsor & Official Scoring Partner: Golf Genius Software | Trophy Sponsor: Sterling Cut Glass | Flag Sponsor: HF Golf & Promo | Tee Box Sponsor: GolferAid | Longest Drive Sponsor: Vertical Groove Golf | Closest to the Pin Sponsor: Fat Tire Golf Scooter
Education Conference
Monday – Wednesday, Aug. 14 – 16 – Venetian Hotel
• The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Education Conference begins on Monday, Aug. 14, with the PGA’s CPP 2.0 Certification Kick Start program, the FlightScope Academy and the Foresight Sports PEAK training program at the Venetian Hotel.
• The Education Conference continues Aug. 15-16 with 20 classroom seminars focusing on on instruction, leadership, golf fitness, retail and marketing. PGA Professionals are able to earn more than 20 MSR credits, through participation in PGA Education and PGA Fashion & Demo Experience programs.
• Single session registration, full day and full conference registration remains open, plus course details can be found, at PGALasVegas.com.
PGA Demo Experience
Monday, Aug. 14 – Togolf Las Vegas
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Hands-on testing of the newest equipment and technology in the Level 1 hitting bays, putting demonstrations in the East Room, and an indoor marketplace in the Central and West Rooms. Skills contests to win $2,000 in prizes for PGA and LPGA Professionals – Level 2 hitting bays
• Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be served; complimentary transportation will also be available to and from The Venetian.
• PGA Professionals earn 4 Total MSR Credits (complimentary) through participation in the PGA Demo Experience.
Show Floor of the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience
Tuesday, Aug. 15, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 16, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Palazzo Ballroom of the Venetian Hotel
• The hottest fashion trends and newest accessory collections, plus the latest equipment and technology, from nearly 200 companies and brands will be exclusively showcased on a dynamic Show Floor, featuring a wide array of exhibits; a buyer networking lounge; New Product Showcase; Fashion Row; Fashion Lounge; a PGA Member Business Center; and a VIP Buyer Lounge.
PGA Town Hall
(PGA Member-Only Event)
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – Venetian Hotel
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
• PGA Members are invited to meet with Association leadership to review membership initiatives and programs in the Venetian Marcello Conference Room #4202, Level 4. One MSR Credit will be earned by PGA Professionals for attending.
Live Fashion Show
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – Venetian Hotel
5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Palazzo Ballroom
• The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Live Fashion Show will showcase many of the latest golf lifestyle collections by the industry’s top designers and will be emceed by Golf Channel Host, Reporter and Writer Bailey Mosier. Live Fashion Show participating brands include Birdies and Bows, Callaway Golf Apparel, Daily Sports, Denise Cronwall Activewear, Garb Inc, Idil Tarzi Fashion Design, Jofit, Just4Golf, Kevan Hall Sport, LIJA, Movêtes, SKECHERS, Straight Down Clothing Co., Travis Mathew Apparel, Under Armour and Wellness Interactive Branding.
Industry Networking Reception
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – Venetian Hotel
6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Palazzo Ballroom
• Immediately following the Live Fashion Show, all registered event attendees are invited to the Industry Networking Reception on the Show Floor. Exhibitor booths will be open for business during this networking event for buyers to enjoy the extended hours to explore, browse, and discuss all the latest finds the Show Floor has to offer.
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