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African American Golf Magazine Enhances Minority Merchant Participation at PGA show(December 12th 2005) Visitors to the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show that is scheduled to be held January 26-29, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, will again witness the surge of growth of minority business participation.
At booth #9545 in the products and services section (aisle 9500) will be the African American Golfer's Digest (AAGD). The three-year-old independent publication has continued to be the nation's leading authority for avid black golfers and its proactive approach to participating in the Show has attracted additional minority-owned and minority focused businesses.
The magazine has developed a successful strategy that is working to attract minority-owned businesses to enjoy participating in the annual Show. "The solution has always been affordability," says publisher, Debert Cook, CMP, "African American entrepreneurs in the golf industry have exciting new products, services and ideas and, as they lead their companies mostly alone, they need a flexible and affordable alternative to participating in golf trade shows, where they can reach a strong trade-based audience.” Ms. Cook conceptualized the co-share effort two years ago, after surveying her readers and advertisers about their marketing needs.
The result has been a successful effort that has given minority firms a visible and professional presence at the show. Firms joining the African American Golfer's Digest booth this year includes CS Innovation LLC, Dilla Golf Apparel, TGX Golf, Julius Richardson, BF Golf Tournament Services, Inner City Youth Golfers Inc., Powerful Golf, Hook-Up & Swing, New Attitude Sports International, Myers Customized Golf Figurines, and several others. In addition is information on black-owned golf courses and professionals. Also, several surprise celebrity appearances and book signings are being scheduled to occur at the booth during Show days.
“With their onsite participation, our exhibitors also receive lead generation and copies of all of the business cards that we collect over the course of the four-day event,” says Cook. "This data is extremely important in helping owners to target potential new business. I'm extremely proud that the African American Golfer's Digest can avail this marketing opportunity to black golf businesses and help grow more involvement in the Show by minority firms.” In addition, the magazine will hold its press conference onsite during the Show on Saturday, January 28 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss "Growing Your Golf Business" and the growth and development of minority golf enterprises.
During the 2005 Show, ten merchants joined with the publication’s marketing effort. Its massive editorial appeal comes from a ‘grass roots’ approach and partnerships that are generated with more than 250 top, black-focused golf tournaments and events around the country. The 40-page, quarterly enjoys a circulation of 20,000 and reaches 80,000 readers nationwide.
The African American Golfer's Digest launched in March 2003 and is based in the financial district of New York City. It is 100% minority owned and operated and is a woman-owned business registered with the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Its memberships include the USGA, International Network of Golf (ING), Metropolitan Golf Writers Association, and others. It is the only golf magazine specifically targeting the African American demographic.
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