PGA Merchandise Show and Two Co-Located Shows Wrap in Orlando

February 4, 2020
PGA Show

For the first time, the PGA Merchandise Show—the largest gathering of PGA professionals—co-located with National Golf Course Owners Association’s Golf Business Conference and Racquet & Paddle Sports Show. All three shows wrapped up last week to great success at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

“Being in the same place over the same week with PGA professionals and their leadership allows for organic and planned opportunities for collaboration,” said Jay Karen, CEO of NGCOA. “The NGCOA is helping to promote to our audience the value that PGA Members bring to their facilities… the more we can be in the same room together, talking about golf's biggest issues and opportunities, the better off we will all be.”

NGCOA’s Golf Business Conference, which is the industry’s largest annual gathering of golf course owners, is focused on education seminars, presentations and networking events. It will be co-located with the PGA Merchandise Show at OCCC for the next four years.

This year’s Merchandise show drew 7,800 PGA professionals, an increase of 5 percent over last year, and nearly 10 miles of interactive exhibit aisles. Outside the U.S., attendees most represented at the show were Canada, the U.K., Korea, Japan and China, according to show officials. A hub of product innovation, notable new items this year included Titleist’s T400 irons, Cobra’s Speedzone woods and drivers, Bridgestone’s new Tour B golf balls and more.

“The 67th PGA Merchandise Show kicked off 2020 with an exciting showcase of the latest golf innovations and merchandising strategies for the year ahead,” said Marc Simon, event vice president. “In addition to making important purchase decisions for the new season, PGA Professionals and buyers connected face-to-face to foster business relationships that will help to grow the business of the game moving forward.”

PGA Show fashion showAttendees also had the opportunity to explore the latest in golf lifestyle apparel and accessories from brands such as Adidas Golf, Peter Millar, Puma, Vineyard Vines and others. A live fashion show on Jan. 23 showcased trending styles, followed by a happy hour and reception.

“The PGA Merchandise Show brings the global golf industry together each year to drive forward our careers, our businesses and the health of the sport,” said Suzy Whaley, PGA president. “We thrive off the energy here at the PGA Show, as we collectively learn about golf's newest innovations, share best practices and connect as a community in the game.”

The Racquet & Paddle Sports Show, organized by Reed Exhibitions, was equally as exciting, welcoming 4,000 racquet industry professionals and drawing crossover attendance from golf and resort professionals at the PGA Show. Delegates had the chance to interact with 100 racquet-sport related exhibits, a multi-sport court and a table tennis tournament, as well as participate in educational programs.

To learn more about the next PGA Merchandise Show, which will take place Jan. 26-29, 2021, go here.

Photo credits: PGA Merchandise Show

 

 

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact