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News Commentary Opinion
PGA Merchandise Show
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
The 57th PGA Merchandise Show closed Saturday and the Monday
morning QB sessions can now begin.
The Show is much more than equipment manufacturers, clothing
purveyors and accessory makers all trying to get noticed. The annual
gathering in Orlando, Fla. is the most important event for communication
within and between the varied segments of the industry. This particular
attribute is important in, as the Golf Channel says, “2k10” considering the
many challenges being faced by golf both as a game and a business.
These range from declines in the number of golfers and consumer sales
to the ongoing controversy over changes to the Rules of Golf.
morning QB sessions can now begin.
The Show is much more than equipment manufacturers, clothing
purveyors and accessory makers all trying to get noticed. The annual
gathering in Orlando, Fla. is the most important event for communication
within and between the varied segments of the industry. This particular
attribute is important in, as the Golf Channel says, “2k10” considering the
many challenges being faced by golf both as a game and a business.
These range from declines in the number of golfers and consumer sales
to the ongoing controversy over changes to the Rules of Golf.
Paula Creamer signed
autographs at the LPGA
booth on Friday.
(Photo by Montana
Pritchard/The PGA of
America)
autographs at the LPGA
booth on Friday.
(Photo by Montana
Pritchard/The PGA of
America)
Even though the number of exhibitors was lower
(1,000 compared to 1,100 last year) and two of the
four largest golf companies opted to not spend
the money, which can be well over a million
dollars, for exhibit space the mood at the Show
was upbeat and positive.
"The Show floor was robust, and we were pleased
with the support of the industry from the exhibitor
and PGA Professional perspective," noted Ed
Several, PGA Golf Exhibitions vice president and
general manager.
“Like a lot of companies, we came into the Show
watching our expenses carefully and not knowing
what impact the economy would have on
attendance and business written at the Show,"
said Jay Hubbard, director of marketing for Tour
Edge Golf in Batavia, Ill.
(1,000 compared to 1,100 last year) and two of the
four largest golf companies opted to not spend
the money, which can be well over a million
dollars, for exhibit space the mood at the Show
was upbeat and positive.
"The Show floor was robust, and we were pleased
with the support of the industry from the exhibitor
and PGA Professional perspective," noted Ed
Several, PGA Golf Exhibitions vice president and
general manager.
“Like a lot of companies, we came into the Show
watching our expenses carefully and not knowing
what impact the economy would have on
attendance and business written at the Show,"
said Jay Hubbard, director of marketing for Tour
Edge Golf in Batavia, Ill.
"We were pleasantly surprised with the traffic and the buzz on the Show
floor all week. We had a great Thursday, a good Friday and a very solid
Saturday, so I would say the Show was an overwhelming success. There
was a good flow to the Show and a great buzz all week. The Outdoor
Demo Day was fantastic."
floor all week. We had a great Thursday, a good Friday and a very solid
Saturday, so I would say the Show was an overwhelming success. There
was a good flow to the Show and a great buzz all week. The Outdoor
Demo Day was fantastic."
Demo Day prior to the actual PGA Merchandise Show is held annually at Orange
County National Golf Course in suburban Orlando. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The
PGA of America)
County National Golf Course in suburban Orlando. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The
PGA of America)
Dawgs President and CEO Steve Mann said Saturday that the Show blew
his socks off – or perhaps his shoes. "We have done hundreds of trade
shows, but I’ve never seen traffic and sales at our booth like we
experienced this week," said Mann. "Our Dawgs golf shoes are a new
product, so we didn’t know how they would be received in the golf
community. But this Show was absolutely fabulous. We picked up six
international distributors, talked to 30 or 40 PGA Professionals and retail
buyers, and we signed up countless new accounts. People are looking for
something new with a reasonable price point, and we have filled that bill."
Attendance figures aren’t available yet but the consensus was fewer club
pros and buyers were on site, perhaps around 40,000 according to the
Show managers. However the most notable thing lacking was a hot new
product creating excitement amongst those trekking the ten miles of
aisles at the Orange Country Convention Center. Some attendees spoke
wistfully remembering the heady days of Callaway’s Big Bertha driver
introduction or when Acushnet first rolled out the Titleist Pro V1.
his socks off – or perhaps his shoes. "We have done hundreds of trade
shows, but I’ve never seen traffic and sales at our booth like we
experienced this week," said Mann. "Our Dawgs golf shoes are a new
product, so we didn’t know how they would be received in the golf
community. But this Show was absolutely fabulous. We picked up six
international distributors, talked to 30 or 40 PGA Professionals and retail
buyers, and we signed up countless new accounts. People are looking for
something new with a reasonable price point, and we have filled that bill."
Attendance figures aren’t available yet but the consensus was fewer club
pros and buyers were on site, perhaps around 40,000 according to the
Show managers. However the most notable thing lacking was a hot new
product creating excitement amongst those trekking the ten miles of
aisles at the Orange Country Convention Center. Some attendees spoke
wistfully remembering the heady days of Callaway’s Big Bertha driver
introduction or when Acushnet first rolled out the Titleist Pro V1.
This isn’t to say there weren’t
good new products and we will
feature some. But a game
changing-breakthrough-category
killer product didn’t make an
appearance. Some say it’s a
result of the USGA efforts to rein
in touring professionals from
hitting the ball such great
distances. In effect that too many
restrictions have been placed on
good new products and we will
feature some. But a game
changing-breakthrough-category
killer product didn’t make an
appearance. Some say it’s a
result of the USGA efforts to rein
in touring professionals from
hitting the ball such great
distances. In effect that too many
restrictions have been placed on
the performance of clubs thereby stifling innovation while others are saying
the dominance of the golf industry by large companies leaves no room for
smaller club makers to be successful.The four largest golf companies by
sales are Acushnet (Titleist, Foot-Joy, Cobra), TaylorMade-adidas Golf
(TaylorMade, adidas), Callaway Golf (Callaway, Odyssey) and Nike Golf
(Nike). Together have sales in the $4.5 billion range.
Acushnet’s Foot Joy plus the TaylorMade and adidas brands did not buy
space on the Show floor and Tiger-less Nike only participated in the pre-
Show demo day.
the dominance of the golf industry by large companies leaves no room for
smaller club makers to be successful.The four largest golf companies by
sales are Acushnet (Titleist, Foot-Joy, Cobra), TaylorMade-adidas Golf
(TaylorMade, adidas), Callaway Golf (Callaway, Odyssey) and Nike Golf
(Nike). Together have sales in the $4.5 billion range.
Acushnet’s Foot Joy plus the TaylorMade and adidas brands did not buy
space on the Show floor and Tiger-less Nike only participated in the pre-
Show demo day.
Attendees were able to get up close and personal with some big names in
professional golf who visited the Show as part of product endorsement
contracts. The list was headed by four World Golf Hall of Fame members,
Annika Sorenstam, Nancy Lopez, Tom Watson and Tony Jacklin plus some
potential future members Paula Creamer, Anna Nordqvist, Kristy McPherson
and Stacy Lewis. Other attractions or at least interesting exhibits were the
Formula One race car in the Williams Golf booth and the outrageous golf
slacks worn by Loudmouth Golf representatives.
The PGA of America puts a great deal of emphasis on continuing education
for club professionals and fills the three Show days with several industry
presentations and 65 seminars on various aspects of the business from
instruction to customer relations. All were well attended and several were
standing room only as the pros looked for ways to advance their businesses
in this tough economic climate. For the past several years and in 2010 there
was a strong international component among those visiting Orlando with 75
countries represented in the list of exhibitors and attendees.
professional golf who visited the Show as part of product endorsement
contracts. The list was headed by four World Golf Hall of Fame members,
Annika Sorenstam, Nancy Lopez, Tom Watson and Tony Jacklin plus some
potential future members Paula Creamer, Anna Nordqvist, Kristy McPherson
and Stacy Lewis. Other attractions or at least interesting exhibits were the
Formula One race car in the Williams Golf booth and the outrageous golf
slacks worn by Loudmouth Golf representatives.
The PGA of America puts a great deal of emphasis on continuing education
for club professionals and fills the three Show days with several industry
presentations and 65 seminars on various aspects of the business from
instruction to customer relations. All were well attended and several were
standing room only as the pros looked for ways to advance their businesses
in this tough economic climate. For the past several years and in 2010 there
was a strong international component among those visiting Orlando with 75
countries represented in the list of exhibitors and attendees.
PGA of America Past President Brian Whitcomb (left) provides caddy service as well
as swing tips to Florida Governor Charlie Crist (right) at the Equipment Testing
Center on Thursday. PGA of America Executive Director Joe Steranka (center) acts
as the Governor’s valet while he swings. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of
America
as swing tips to Florida Governor Charlie Crist (right) at the Equipment Testing
Center on Thursday. PGA of America Executive Director Joe Steranka (center) acts
as the Governor’s valet while he swings. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of
America
It wasn’t all business at the PGA Merchandise Show with Kansas, the band,
performing at the Friday night Elations “Rocks the Joint” Concert. (Photo by Montana
Pritchard/The PGA of America)
performing at the Friday night Elations “Rocks the Joint” Concert. (Photo by Montana
Pritchard/The PGA of America)