“The PGA Merchandise Show remains true to its tradition as a trade-only event,” Ed Several, group vice-president of PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions, tells SGB Golf when questioned on the attendance figures. “Family members and special guests of PGA professionals are granted temporary access when accompanied by the PGA professional, [but] we were very pleased that the 2009 show attracted more than 41,000 PGA professionals, golf retailers and industry leaders. This number is determined on site by verified badge holders.”
While the show boasted 1,100 exhibitors, it admitted to a 4.53% decline in attendance by PGA pros compared to 2008 – not what you would call a slide.
So the 2010 turnstile forecast of 40,000 is slightly more modest than in the past, but considering the US economy and golf trade have endured a miserable 2009, and bearing in mind the decline in numbers at Golf Europe in October (see Paul Trow’s report in ‘Out of Bounds’ on p20), if the three-day PGA Show can reach its target numbers in 2010 it will make for a relatively strong event.
“The 2010 Show is packed full of programs to help build a bridge from recession to recovery,” adds Several. “[Pros] can anticipate a focus on ‘profit-driven results’ in our expanded educational seminars, round-table discussions and PGA forum presentations. Key topics will include new ways to profit from club fitting, growing revenue through short game and scoring clinics, profiting from the new USGA ruling on grooves, topical government issues, global growth and how to profit from social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
“We also are adding a new Career Fair to help facilitate industry employment initiatives with the PGA and major golf industry employers.”
Clinical approach from Cleveland
Highlighting Cleveland and Srixon’s presence at Orlando will be the launch of Cleveland’s ‘Golf Scoring Clinics’, which is a new short game programme designed for pros and retailers to utilise with their customers.
The Clinics, which are set to roll-out across the United States in 2010, will be presented to the trade during the Outdoor Demo Day on Wednesday, January 27.
Open to new experiences
Titleist made a high-profile return to the PGA Show in 2009, to end a five-year hiatus, with its stand virtually shrouded in gleaming boxes of its re-formulated Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. In 2010, the Acushnet brand hopes to attract attention by opening the show with an introduction to a new ‘Titleist Experience’.
“The PGA Merchandise Show continues to evolve in a positive direction by shifting the show’s emphasis to a more educational platform for its membership,” says Jerry Bellis, President of Titleist Golf Balls. “We plan to build upon the success we enjoyed last year.”
‘nFlight’ service
Following up the most extensive product launch in company history in August, Ping will have a strong presence at the PGA Show, including sponsorship of the annual Merchandisers of the Year Conference.
The new G15 and i15 ranges will be at the forefront of Ping’s activities in Orlando, as will the company’s latest range of fitting tools for pros, including Ping’s updated version of its nFlight Custom Fitting Software.
“The 2010 PGA Merchandise Show is a tremendous venue for us to share our newest clubfitting technologies while continuing the launch of our latest product lines,” says John Solheim, Ping chairman & CEO. “The role of the PGA professional in communicating the benefits of custom fitting to golfers takes on even greater importance as the golf industry works towards ensuring a healthy future for the game.”
