Orlando, Fla. --- PGA Professionals, golf retailers and industry executives from 89 countries and all 50 U.S. states came to Orlando, Fla., Jan. 17-19, for the 55th PGA Merchandise Show to launch the business of golf for 2008 ~ packing 10 square miles of Show aisles, more than 1,250 golf vendor booths and a full schedule of special events that will shape the industry for 2008 and beyond.
Canada led the contingent of foreign countries represented, which also included the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Germany and China. U.S.attendance was led by Florida, California, New York, Illinois and Georgia. A final independent audited attendance report is being conducted and will be made available.
Product presentations by golf’s top market leaders such as Callaway Golf, Ping, Srixon, adidas, Nike, Tehama, Cutter & Buck, Greg Norman Collection, Cleveland Golf, MacGregor and more combined with indoor and outdoor Demo Days, multiple fashion shows, designer panels, teaching clinics, education seminars, career workshops, industry awards, networking receptions and more. Two landmark events, the U.S. Golf Economy Forum and the Adjustable Club Symposium, sparked news and industry conversation during the three-day event.
On January 17, PGA of America CEO, Joe Steranka, PGA TOUR Commissioner, Tim Finchem; USGA Executive Director, David Fay and World Golf Foundation CEO, Steve Mona, came together to announce results of a comprehensive new golf economic study, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation's GOLF 20/20 initiative.
The new study determined that golf in the United States generated a total economic impact of $195 billion in 2005, creating approximately 2 million jobs with wage income of $61 billion. Researched and written by SRI International, the report was funded through support from the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Ladies Professional Golf Association, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America, PGA Tour and United States Golf Association.
The Show’s second day, January 18, featured the Adjustable Club Symposium, which may stand as one of the PGA Show’s most significant events ever. A standing-room only audience of PGA Professionals, golf retailers, media, equipment buyers and international golf business executives gathered to hear seven of the golf industry’s leading equipment experts address an unprecedented 2008 adjustable club equipment ruling that will shape the game for decades.
This group of experts, including *** Rugge, Technical Director, United States Golf Association (USGA); John K. Solheim, Vice President of Engineering, PING Golf Equipment; Jeff Colton, Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Callaway Golf; John Hoeflich, Senior Vice President, Nickent Golf; Graeme Horwood, Vice President, Engineering, Research & Development, True Temper Sports; PGA Professional Ken Morton, Sr., Owner, Haggin Oaks Golf Complex; and PGA Professional Ed Mitchell, President & CEO, Mitchell Golf, addressed the impact of the ruling, and provided insight on the topic. Based on the new change to the USGA’s Rules of Golf, the governing body of golf now allows for a golf club to be adjustable, beyond traditional weight adjustment.
“All of golf came to the 55th PGA Merchandise Show, and the resulting dialogue, business and strategic planning has built a platform for the success of golf across all sections in 2008 and beyond,” said Ed Several, Vice President & General Manager, PGA Golf Exhibitions. “The U.S. Golf Economy forum started the Show by giving attendees a detailed analysis on the state of the golf business, while the adjustable club symposium provided a look into the future of golf clubs and how innovation will shape the game for many years to come.”
Several adds, “These two landmark events, while headlining the Show, were among a breadth of golf business programs, seminars and events that encompassed the Show and complemented the product showcases put forth by more than 1,250 exhibitors.”
Adding to the excitement of the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show was the 91st PGA Annual Meeting, where PGA Professionals were introduced to the Association's new PGA Logo & Brand Strategy. The PGA of America's updated brand strategy brings a renewed focus on its membership, employers, and the golfing public, and their dedication to preserving golf's heritage while increasing its popularity and awareness. The new logo features a contemporary design that relates directly to the consumer by being accessible and modern, while paying tribute to the legacy and "gold standard" of The PGA of America brand.
The 55th PGA Merchandise Show was highlighted by:
• 2007 PGA of America Awards
• Demo Day - topping 6,000 in attendance, and featuring 100+ manufacturers
• Annika Sorenstam, Jim Furyk, Justin Rose, Charles Howell III and Paula Creamer headlining top celebrities making appearances
• PGA Play Golf America Conference, addressing “growth of the game” initiatives
• Daily fashion shows, designer panels and apparel retailer/designer roundtables showcasing the world of golf apparel
• PGA Teacher of the Year Best Practices
• Golf in China Forum - speaking to golf far and away
• 392 golf innovations featured in the New Product Center, voted top three:
- EEZ-READ Green Reader (www.eez-read.com)
- Vicarious Golf/V Towel (www.froggergolf.com)
- Frogger Brush Pro (www.vicariousgolf.com)
The PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions have once again injected new value to one of golf’s oldest business institutions with the addition of new events and programs that have resulted in the return of market leaders such as PING and Cleveland Golf, as well as the continued participation of industry stalwarts such as Callaway Golf, Nike Golf, adidas, the Titleist Performance Institute, Srixon, Ahead, Cutter & Buck, Antigua, Bridgestone, Gear For Sports, Tehama, Bobby Jones, POLO, Club Car, Greg Norman, Fairway & Greene, E-Z Go, EP Pro, Ashworth, Yamaha, Wilson Staff, Nickent, Imperial, Adams, Mizuno, Tommy Bahama, Bugatchi, Harry Vardon, PING Collection, Byron Nelson and many more.
For more information, daily announcements, photos, video and more, visit www.pgashow.com