Rocklin, CA – This September, the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) continues to deliver timely, practical education designed to help golf retail professionals work smarter and make more informed decisions. From leveraging AI and simplifying open-to-buy management to strengthening visual merchandising and evaluating prebooks and vendor programs, this month’s lineup provides actionable strategies that can be applied directly to the golf retail environment.
Attendees will gain insights from industry experts on using emerging technology effectively, making smarter purchasing decisions, creating compelling retail experiences, and turning everyday member interactions into valuable buying insights. Together, these sessions offer a balanced blend of technology, financial management, merchandising, and operational best practices to help golf retail professionals improve their businesses and better serve their customers.
The upcoming webinars are complimentary for AGM members and registration for non-members is available for $25 per session. As part of AGM’s commitment to continuous education and professional development, PGA members are eligible for 1 education credit for each webinar, while LPGA members can earn 2 credits of education per webinar. PGA of Canada Class ‘A’ members eligible for credit toward the Golf Operations Specialization: live attendees will receive 1 credit for a 1-hour webinar.
September Webinars:
Realistic AI: What Small to Mid-Size Business Leaders Can’t Afford to Overlook – Nicole Hoffman
Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM EST / 1:00 PM PST
Presenter: Nicole Hoffman, Founder & Publisher at Retail Minded
Description: Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic luxury. It’s a practical, everyday tool reshaping how businesses operate, connect, and compete. In this session, we’ll break down what AI really means for small to mid-size business leaders with a core focus on retail as well as how to integrate it realistically — not reactively. From automating repetitive tasks and enhancing customer service to driving smarter marketing and inventory strategies, attendees will walk away with a grounded understanding of where AI delivers real value (and where it’s just hype). Expect honest insight, actionable ideas, and a clear roadmap for how to move forward confidently in an AI-driven world.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify practical, low-cost ways AI can enhance operations, marketing, and customer engagement
- Avoid common AI traps and misconceptions that waste time and resources
- Use AI tools to better understand customer behavior and personalize experiences that build
- Develop a realistic action plan to introduce AI into their business – one step at a time
- By the end of this session, attendees will leave feeling empowered to embrace AI with confidence, armed with clarity, strategy, and a realistic plan to turn innovation into impact
Registration: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261617286129159
OTB in 30 Minutes: A Simple Monthly Check-In – Jen O’Hare
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM EST / 1:00 PM PST
Presenter: Jen O’Hare – Founder/CEO of Belle Box Co., Strategic Retail Consultant
Description You don’t need hours to benefit from an open to buy – you need a simple system you can actually maintain. This session outlines a streamlined 30-minute monthly check in designed for one person retail shops and small teams. Learn what to review, how to spot issues early, and what actions to take based on what your OTB is telling you. The goal is consistency and clarity – turning your OTB into a practical decision-making tool, not just a “set it and forget it” spreadsheet.
Key Takeaways:
- Commit to a simple, consistent 30-minute monthly OTB check-in you can realistically maintain
- Focus on key metrics each month to quickly spot issues and take informed action
- Turn your OTB into a practical decision-making tool—not a set-it-and-forget-it spreadsheet
Registration: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261617421867159
Visual Merchandising: Good, Better, Best – Leigha Turner
Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenters: Leigha Turner, Owner of Retail Resolutions
Description: This session explores the core principles of effective visual merchandising, from floor layout and fixture placement to creating impactful displays that drive customer engagement and sales. Using real-world retail examples and best practices, this seminar will highlight how thoughtful merchandising strategies can elevate the customer experience and maximize selling opportunities. Inspired by Leigha Turner’s “Good, Better, Best” approach, the session will focus on creating intentional merchandising moments that guide purchasing decisions and showcase products at multiple value levels.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of storytelling through visual displays
- Building compelling displays through color, folding, layering, and props
- Creating “Good, Better, Best” merchandising strategies to drive sales
Registration: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261617606659163
Pre-Books and Programs: Making Them Work for You – Tracy Moffatt
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM EST / 1:00 PM PST
Presenter: Tracy Moffatt, Owner of K&K Consulting
Description: Prebooks and programs can offer valuable benefits—from extended payment terms and discounts to rebates and return privileges—but they can also contribute to excess inventory and reduced profitability when not carefully managed. This seminar will explore how to evaluate prebooks and programs, plan purchases using sales history and open-to-buy, manage vendor relationships, and make sure these commitments work for your golf shop rather than against it.
Key Takeaways:
- Evaluate the true benefit: Understand the costs, risks, terms, discounts, rebates, and return policies associated with prebooks and programs
- Plan with your numbers: Use sales history, inventory levels, vendor profitability, and open-to-buy to determine what—and how much—you should commit to
- Manage commitments throughout the season: Review prebooks regularly, adjust orders when needed, communicate with sales reps and staff, and avoid letting a “good deal” create unnecessary inventory
Registration: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261626174806157
Every Special Order is a Clue – Sponsored by Golf Genius
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenter: Golf Genius Team with panelists Aimee Ganote, Director of Retail at Capital City Club and Kyle Capps, Director of Golf at Hallbrook Country Club
Description: Most shops treat them as a one-and-done sale. The smart ones read the patterns and know what to stock before they’re asked again. The order isn’t the problem. What happens after is. A member asks for something specific. You write it down, place it, and move on to the next thing. Most shops treat that as the end of the story. It’s actually the start of one, and if nobody’s watching what happens next, you’re not just missing orders. You’re missing what your members are trying to tell you. Aimee Ganote of Capital City Club and Kyle Capps of Hallbrook Country Club both know what it’s like to lose track of a special order. A binder that only one person understood. A box that sat in the back for a week. A member who asked twice before anyone had an answer. On September 24th, they’re sharing what changed when every order became visible, and what it’s taught them about what to stock next.
Key Takeaways:
- Build a better special order process
- Learn how to move special orders out of binders, spreadsheets, and individual memory—and create a process that keeps every order visible from request to arrival
- Turn member requests into buying insights
- Discover how the products your members ask for can reveal valuable patterns and help you make smarter decisions about what to stock next
- See how better tracking, communication, and follow-through can prevent missed orders, reduce frustration, and build greater confidence in your shop
Registration: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261796359900165
About the Association of Golf Merchandisers
The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM), a leading global professional organization, boasts over 900 buyers and 200 vendors committed to advancing the golf merchandising industry. Recognized for excellence, AGM aims to elevate retail standards, enhance industry relationships, and deliver continuous education. Our focus lies on key metrics, visual merchandising, promotions, and buying strategies, fostering profitable collaborations between golf retail buyers and vendors.
For more information, visit https://agmgolf.org/membership-2/
Media Contact:: For media inquiries, contact: Megan Fidler, AGM Director of Marketing – megan@agmgolf.org – 916-717-4138
