The Golf Show is the most significant annual trade gathering we have in the UK, but to be honest, attending the show this year offered a striking sense of déjà vu – it was almost identical to the 2010 show – yet in a year with Golf Europe scratched off the schedule, 2011 was a major opportunity for the Harrogate event to grow. For the Golf Show to really stand out – to attract more than the 1,181 industry professionals that attended this year – it needs to open its doors to more exhibitors.
I realise a lot of existing Harrogate exhibitors won’t like the idea, but if the show attracts more exhibitors then it will attract more professionals. It works both ways. As it is, with most of the marquee brands in attendance last month, the competition between exhibitors to attract footfall already exists. I doubt the current exhibitors would lose footfall if the number of stands rose from 57 to 70-75.
If the Golf Show organisers are serious about seeing the event thrive for three full days, packing out the seminars, filling the order books, and genuinely offering Europe’s best show, they need to untie its shackles.
Robin Barwick, Editor
