A "Convention of Golf Solutions" Await Industry Leaders at the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show…& Convention
(November 17th 2005) NORWALK, Conn. - A multitude of new programs and enhancements will make a major impact on the look and feel of the new PGA Merchandise Show…& Convention, Jan. 26-29, 2006, in Orlando, Fla. Now in addition to hosting more than 40,000 PGA Professionals, retailers and top manufacturers for the industry's most influential business gathering, the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show has added programs specifically to help attendees grow their business, advance their careers and drive new participation in the game.
To help PGA Professionals and key retailers perform at their highest level, the Show experience has been enhanced to include programs such as "teach-the-teacher" clinics, an expanded Dream Golf Shop, new Fashion Spotlight, the new PGA Experience, exhibitor pavilions featuring learning labs, a larger PGA Employment Center, plus a new line-up of education seminars targeting key topics relevant for today’s challenging business environment.
“The 2006 PGA Merchandise Show combines the great tradition of our annual industry gathering with contemporary programs designed to make us all better at what we do and how we do it moving forward,” said PGA of America President Roger Warren. “This year, more than ever before, the PGA Merchandise Show addresses all aspects of the game and the business of golf in one efficient setting.”
The PGA of America and organizing partner PGA Golf Exhibitions called on the input from respected leaders representing all sectors of the golf business.
"This year's PGA Merchandise Show is truly a collaboration of some of the industry's best minds. We have been working hand-in-hand with an advisory council of PGA Professionals, key retailers, top manufacturers and successful industry leaders to build a comprehensive series of events offering practical business solutions for PGA Members, retailers and manufacturers,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President and Show Manager Ed Several. “We recognize that today’s golf professional must wear many hats and we’ve designed a complete Show experience to equip golf professionals to compete more effectively in this challenging business environment. The result of our efforts is a comprehensive PGA Show ‘and convention’ featuring an opportunity to find, test and purchase the latest golf equipment, apparel and accessories while learning the best way to grow a golf business”.
Teach-the-Teacher Clinics
New "teach-the-teacher” clinics will be led by renowned teachers Butch Harmon and Rick Martino. These free seminars are designed to provide teaching professionals with the tools they need to become better teachers, build their client base and increase teaching revenue. Butch Harmon will teach from the ETC Stadium, during two one-hour sessions at 9 am and 4 pm, Friday January 27th. PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino will teach from the PGA Fitness Pavilion located within the new PGA Experience, three times daily, Jan. 26-29.
Enhanced Dream Golf Shop
The 2006 Dream Golf Shop designed by Bauer International, the official exclusive clubhouse furnishing supplier of The PGA, will expand to become a 1,600 square-foot replica of a high-end working golf shop. Hard goods will be added to the merchandise mix; hands-on learning models will provide “feature, benefit, advantage” retailing solutions; and retailing experts will be on site to help PGA Professionals and retailers improve merchandising techniques, customer service and profit margins. Current PGA Merchandisers of the Year, manufacturer merchandising experts, representatives from the Association of Golf Merchandisers and merchandising expert Willy Choma will be available to answer
questions and speak to all phases of merchandising, display techniques, inventory control and retail sales.
New Fashion Spotlight
The Show’s traditional daily fashion shows have evolved to become the new Fashion Spotlight. In addition to showcasing the latest fashion trends, the 2006 daily Fashion Spotlights will include presentations on apparel performance attributes, suggested merchandising techniques and insights into each designer’s vision for their line. Fashion Spotlights will be presented four times daily during the first three days of the Show. The new Fashion Spotlights will be produced by Tracy Yates in collaboration with Golf Digest’s Publications Fashion Director, Marty Hackel.
The New PGA Experience
The new PGA Experience is an interactive pavilion providing access to PGA Partners, the PGA Employment Center, universities offering the Professional Golf Management (PGM) program and allied golf organizations. PGA Business Partners will offer presentations for PGA members designed to improve efficiency, productivity and profit for their golf facilities. It also features a PGA Learning Center fitness pavilion providing attendees with interactive access to state-of-the-art golf fitness equipment, the new PGA Kinematics Lab and daily teaching clinics by PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino.
Exhibitor pavilions with Learning Labs
New specialty exhibitor pavilions with learning-based models are designed to help golf industry professionals become better merchandisers, and drive profit and product-category success. In addition to the Dream Golf Shop, the PGA Magazine Travel Pavilion and the Golf Event Magazine Tournaments & Outings Pavilion will provide even more interactive learning opportunities for attendees. The 4,000 square-foot PGA Magazine Travel Pavilion will feature everything from a staged area for special events, meeting space, interactive data tables, oversized video screens and display kiosks. The Golf Event Magazine Tournament & Outings Pavilion boasts more than 15 exhibitors, learning-based kiosks, plus presentations by PGA Tournament officials and representatives of the Golf Event Managers Association.
A Growing Education Conference
To improve the exchange of successful approaches among PGA Professionals and industry experts, the 2006 Education Conference adds roundtables and Best Practices sessions to a calendar that already boasts more than 100 seminars and PGA Member programs. Industry experts such as Tom Shay, Sheryl Bindleglass and Becky Wilkins are among some 50 respected instructors teaching within six education tracks in classrooms throughout the Orange County Convention Center, Jan. 26-29, 9 am - 5 pm. Professional development tracks for this year include: General Management, Marketing & Promotions, Retail Merchandising, Golf Operations, Instruction & Teaching, Core Competencies and
Complimentary Programs from The PGA.
A Bigger PGA Employment Center
The PGA Employment Center, a free, wide-ranging employment service and a networking hub on the Show floor, will expand in size and services by providing career counselors, resume workshops, employer programs and employment seminars. Located in the new PGA Experience pavilion, the PGA Employment Center will offer a full daily calendar of programs, plus access to PGA of America Career Counselors and employment experts to answer any questions relating to industry employment.
The PGA Merchandise Show…& Convention, Jan. 26-29, in Orlando, Fla., is the world's most influential gathering of PGA Professionals, retailers, golf manufacturers and industry leaders. Attendees travel from more than 70 countries to test the latest products, find the hottest trends, learn cutting-edge business techniques and grow participation in the game. More than 1,200 golf-related manufacturers showcase their newest products and services within more than 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space in the Orange County Convention Center. Golfweek’s Golfest, a consumer demo weekend, kicks off Show week, Jan. 21-22. Demo Day, Jan. 25th, marks the official opening of the Show for thousands of PGA Professionals, key retailers and media as they test the products of some 80 participating manufacturers at the 42-acre practice facility of the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Haven, Fla.
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