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Industry Responds with an 18% Increase in Attendee Pre-Registration; PGA Fall Expo Promises an Exciting, Effective Business Gathering

(September 20th 2005) NORWALK, Conn. - An increase of 18% in attendee pre-registration bodes well for the thousands of PGA professionals, golf retailers, manufacturers and industry leaders converging in Las Vegas for the industry’s premier fall marketplace, the 2005 PGA Fall Expo, Sept. 28-29, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). In addition to unveiling the latest golf merchandise of more than 325 exhibitors, the PGA Fall Expo also offers the opportunity to personally field test products, interact with industry peers at networking events and attend numerous seminars in the education conference that features more than 30 professional development programs.

"Industry response to new services, programs and special events at the 2005 PGA Fall Expo has been tremendous,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President and Show Manager Ed Several. “We are driven to over-deliver on value for exhibitors and attendees alike and look forward to providing an effective and enjoyable industry business event.”

2005 PGA Fall Expo Highlights:

Exhibits


More than 325 exhibitors, a 6% increase, will conduct the business of the game within 55,000 net square feet of space, a 10% increase, at the LVCC. Top golf manufacturers participating in the 2005 PGA Fall Expo include:

Antigua, Ben Hogan, Ben Hogan Apparel, Callaway Golf, Club Car, Full Swing Golf, Nike Golf, Sport-Haley, Top-Flite Golf, Tour Edge, Wilson Golf, Wittek and Yonex.

Notable new companies and manufacturers returning after not having a presence in 2004 include:

Ahead Headgear, Bette & Court, Bridgestone Sports, Callaway Golf Apparel, Dockers Tour, Lilly Pulitzer, Pukka Headwear, Puma, Sunderland of Scotland, Orlimar, Softspikes/Pride Sports and the Tommy Armour Golf Company.

Attendees


Pre-registration reports show an 18% increase in registration as PGA Professionals and golf buyers from all 50 U.S. states and 26 countries have made plans to attend the PGA Fall Expo.

A number of top golf retailers plan to join influential PGA Professionals from throughout the United States at the PGA Fall Expo including companies such as Carl's Golfland, Dick's Sporting Goods, Edwin Watts Golf, Pro Golf Discount, Troon Golf, In Celebration of Golf, Golfsmith, Golf USA and International Golf. Top golf facilities with buyers pre-registered for the Expo include Congressional; Disney, Gray Hawk Golf Club, Haggin Oaks, Mauna Kea Resort, Pumpkin Ridge, Ritz Carlton Hotel & Resort, Riviera Country Club and Las Vegas regional facilities such as Wynn Las Vegas Resort, Shadow Creek, Mirage Hotel & Resort and TPC at Canyons.

Exhibit Floor


The 2005 PGA Fall Expo features special events and new programs on the LVCC floor.

The Expo has sold out 17 hitting bays and has more than doubled the depth of the ETC (equipment test center) in 2005, to help attendees experience better ball flight. In addition, to interactive product testing, the ETC also will feature manufacturer demonstrations. Nearby the ETC will be a 2,000 square-foot putting green. Hitting mats will be provided by Perfect Lie Golf and putting greens by Players Turf International.

Buyers looking for the latest equipment, apparel, training aids, tournament prizes and more will find a multitude of new products in one convenient setting within the New Product Center, sponsored by Putt Pal USA, located at Booth #883.

The Professional Clubmakers' Society (PCS) will offer a Clubmaking and Repair Skills Training School in Booth #955 where attendees will be familiarized with state-of-the-art clubmaking and repair skills.

The inaugural Contest Corner will feature ongoing contests and skill competitions and the opportunity to contribute to the U.S. Golf Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Attendees can participate in a "closest-to-the-pin" contest sponsored by Full Swing Golf, a putting contest sponsored by Aserta Sports and drive a NASCAR Race Simulator for fun, prizes and fundraising for Hurricane Katrina victims. Located in Booth #895, Contest Corner will feature ongoing contests throughout the event, culminating in prizes at the end of the Show on Thursday. Prizes include four nights at the Peabody Hotel during the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show, free rounds of golf at leading courses, golf equipment and much more.

Jack Sheehan has been added as a key note speaker. Jack Sheehan, Author of "Buried Lies: True Tales and Tall Stories from the PGA Tour" will offer his personal brand of insight at a keynote address on Thursday, Sept. 29, in the area of the Contest Corner, Booth #895. Admission is free.

Demo Night


Demo Night returns to the Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 28th, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., featuring a new networking party and complimentary barbecue dinner. PGA Professionals and influential golf buyers will be able to personally field test equipment and products of more than 30 golf manufacturers in the open practice range of the Callaway Golf Center, the Strip's premier practice facility. PGA Career Counselors will be on hand at Demo Night and offer services from the PGA Employment Center. Aserta Sports will  once again sponsor the popular Demo Night putting contest; Peter Johncke will perform his trick shot shows at 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.; and Luther Blacklock will be demonstrating the Explanar Golf Training System at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Education Conference


The 2005 PGA Fall Expo will begin each morning with an expansive education conference featuring five professional tracks of more than 30 seminars from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the LVCC, Sept. 28-29. The professional development programs are presented by a partnership of The PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions for the advancement of attending PGA Professionals, buyers and industry members. Seminars are led by top industry experts and respected business leaders. Professional development tracks include General Management, Marketing & Promotions, Retail/Merchandising, Golf Operations and Core Competencies. Also, classes specific to The PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management and Play Golf America programs will be offered. Seminar topics are diverse and include Retail Trends, E-Marketing Strategies, Increasing Rounds & Revenue, Merchandising to Women and Golf Business Strategies to name a few. Conference attendees also will enjoy a new complimentary breakfast service each morning.

PGA of America Programs


In addition to offering several professional development seminars in the PGA Fall Expo education conference, The PGA will present PGA Certification and Play Golf America seminars open to all attending industry professionals. The PGA Certification Program Seminar will be held Wednesday, Sept. 28, 1:30pm - 2:30pm, in Room S224. A Play Golf America Seminar will be held on Thursday, Sept. 29, 1:30pm - 3:30pm, in Room S224. Open to PGA Members and Apprentices, the PGA Member Business Center, Booth #176, provides a private meeting area offering business services, the PGA Golf Shop and access to PGA staff and services from virtually every department of the Association. The PGA of America's PGA Employment Center, located within the PGA Member Business Center, is open to all industry professionals and has been expanded to become the networking hub of the PGA Fall Expo floor.

Additional Allied Organizations


Many of golf’s allied organizations are hosting professional development programs, business meetings and networking events in conjunction with the 2005 PGA Fall Expo. The International Network of Golf is staging its fourth ING Fall Media Forum, Sept. 25-27 in conjunction with the PGA Fall Expo. The annual conference offers workshops, golf outings and networking opportunities among golf media, manufacturers and business leaders.

Additional organizations hosting seminars, business meetings or networking functions include the Association of Golf Merchandisers, the Golf Range Association of America, the Golf Event Managers Association, the Golf Tournament Association of America, the National Golf Sales Representative Association and the Professional Clubmakers Society.

Buyers and media can register, make travel arrangements and hotel reservations for the 2005 PGA Fall Expo online at www.pgaexpo.com or by calling 1-800-840-5628.