Industry leaders primed for 55th PGA Merchandise Show

More than 1,200 vendors will be there, including market leaders Callaway Golf, PING, Nike Golf, adidas, Ashworth, Adams Golf, plus some 400 new companies. So will more than 45,000 PGA Professionals, manufacturing executives, VIP retailers, industry leaders and top decision-makers. It's called the 55th PGA Merchandise Show, and PGA.com will provide exclusive on-site coverage of golf's biggest business event.

The 55th PGA Merchandise Show is steeped in tradition but overflowing with innovation. Golf's market leaders in one place ... Callaway Golf, PING, Nike Golf, adidas, Srixon, Ashworth, Tehama, Ahead, Antigua, Cub Car, Polo Golf, Imperial ... plus some 400 companies new to the Show. Product presentations from 1,200-plus leading golf companies to comparison shop and bring back the best merchandise assortment for golf-savvy consumers. But, now more than ever, the PGA Merchandise Show also is the ideal environment to advance careers and business.

Built by The PGA of America, the Association's most successful members and the industry's foremost experts on the business of the game, the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show will be held Jan. 17-19, 2008 for the 23rd straight year at the expansive Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Chock full of invaluable information, the latest products and equipment, informative presentations and prime business opportunities, the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show is THE global platform that industry leaders, top manufacturers, PGA Professionals and golf organizations utilize to grow the business, participation and interest in golf.

More than 45,000 PGA Professionals, manufacturing executives, VIP retailers, industry leaders and top decision-makers will take in 10 miles of show aisles, 1 million square feet of interactive exhibit, product demonstration and industry presentation space and three days to discover, learn, resource, and drive the golf business into the 2008 season. Here is a list of the activities and events planned:

PGA Annual Meeting, Jan 15-16
Emphasizing open governance and professional enhancement, The PGA of America stages the 91st PGA Annual Meeting, and the first in conjunction with the PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 15-16, 2008, at the Orange County Convention Center. A morning Pro-Pro tournament is followed by an afternoon informal session on Tuesday, Jan. 15. The PGA Annual Meeting General Session is held 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 16, with transportation provided to Demo Day at the conclusion of the General Session.

Demo Day, Jan. 16
On Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Demo Day features more than 80 top golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies within 100-plus hitting bays, practice greens and the vendor village of the 42-acre practice facility of Orange County National Golf Center. Demo Day special events, demonstrations, contests and prizes are offered exclusively for PGA Professionals, key retailers and media.

Product Presentations -- More than 1,200 top golf manufacturers create the largest number of equipment, apparel and overall exhibitors by any golf exhibition event worldwide. Market leaders such as Callaway Golf, PING, Nike Golf, adidas, the Titleist Performance Institute, Cutter & Buck, Antigua, Bridgestone, Gear For Sports, Ahead, Tehama and more encompass over 500,000 net square feet of interactive exhibit space. Some 400 companies new to the PGA Show are anticipated to launch their products with many in the "New Company Discovery Zone."

Indoor Demo Day at the ETC --
A massive indoor driving range located in Hall A of the Orange County Convention Center. The New Indoor Demo Day at the ETC features a scalloped design with 41 hitting bays, two putting greens, a practice pitching area and a full schedule of demonstrations and clinics. Attendees hit more than 400,000 balls at the ETC last year!

PGA Equipment Forum -- A resounding success in its inaugural year in 2007, the PGA Equipment Forum returns in 2008 to feature daily keynote presentations including:

* The PGA Global Economic Forum, Jan. 17, 10:00 a.m. -- featuring new data on golf?s economic impact, state by state and additional data focusing on the economics of golf in China

* PGA Merchandisers of Year Roundtable, Jan. 18, 10:00 a.m. -- best practices in merchandising from top PGA retailers

* Adjustable Club Symposium, Jan. 19, 10:00 a.m. -- a timely symposium on the recent adjustable club ruling presented by The PGA, USGA, PGA Equipment Partners and top retailers.

* Daily Manufacturer Presentations -- daily manufacturer presentations on the latest equipment introductions, technology, clubfitting services, retail sell-through and merchandising by PGA Equipment Partners including Callaway Golf, PING and Srixon.

* Additionally, industry presentations on trends, merchandising best practices, teaching clinics and more will fill the PGA Equipment Forum stage schedule of events.

PGA Short Game Testing Center -- The extensive short game testing area features multiple putting greens, elevated chipping area and interactive demonstrations.

New Product Preview & Buyers' Reception -- On the eve of the Show opening, Jan. 16, The PGA of America and the Association of Golf Merchandisers will host the new Product Preview & Buyers' Reception featuring a product preview by AGM vendor partners, an industry reception, plus a fashion show and evening entertainment presented by Puma.

Fashion Fairway -- The Fashion Fairway is the industry's platform to bring the latest apparel trends to the industry spotlight. Multiple daily fashion shows reveal the latest lines of more than two-dozen top apparel companies. New daily fashion designer roundtables will feature the hottest designers in golf fashion and offer exclusive insight into specific performance attributes and merchandising techniques for the trendiest collections.

PGA Golf Shop:
Merchandising & Design Center -- This 1,600 square-foot replica of a high-end working golf shop features a wide range of merchandise categories and hands-on learning models to provide retailing solutions. PGA Merchandisers of the Year and the Association of Golf Merchandisers award winners present retail best practices, share merchandising insights and offer proven strategies and advice on how to drive bottom-line earnings.

Inaugural PGA Mentor Lunch -- PGA assistant professionals, apprentices and PGM students are invited to a special future leaders series of free career workshops and the new PGA Mentor Lunches held Thursday and Friday, Jan. 16 & 17.

PGA Best Practices in Teaching -- Daily sessions on the best practices in teaching will be offered to help PGA Professionals better brand themselves as teachers, promote and market their teaching services and grow teaching fees.

Education Conference -- Created by PGA Professionals and industry leaders uniquely for their peers, the 2008 conference features the largest number of PGA-Professional sessions focusing on industry trends, merchandising techniques, general management, career advancement and the business of teaching.

New Product Center -- The popular New Product Center provides a premium presentation of the industry's top new products in one convenient setting. More than 350 companies and products are represented here every year in this designated area on the Show floor, which is open to new products only. Best new products are voted on by top PGA Professionals, retailers & industry leaders.

PGA Magazine Travel Pavilion -- The PGA Magazine Travel pavilion returns in 2008 featuring more than a dozen international destinations and daily special events to promote international golf travel & tourism revenue.

New Company Discovery Zone -- More than 400 companies new to the PGA Show garner the attention of retailers looking for fresh, new merchandise and this year many of those new companies will be easier to find in the "New Company Discovery Zone."

Specialty Exhibitor Pavilions -- While the PGA Merchandise Show floor is organized by product categories, several specialty exhibitor pavilions allow attendees to easily locate products and services in one convenient setting. 2008 pavilions include: Teaching, Training Aids and Golf Fitness Pavilion; PGA Magazine Travel Pavilion; Tournament & Outing Pavilion; Food and Beverage Pavilion; and multiple International Exhibitor Pavilions.

19th Hole -- The perfect place to network on the Show floor, make new contacts and greet old friends.
This popular gathering spot features a Full Swing Golf Simulator, the Club Car Experience, and a place to unwind and network with your fellow professionals.

PGA Sponsors & Licensees Pavilion -- PGA Partner revenue incentives and business solutions take center stage in this interactive pavilion featuring PGA of America licensees and partners of Golf Retirement Plus, PGA Golf Properties and PGA Advantage Plus.

PGA Employment Center -- Workshops to attract, retain and motivate employees are staged at the PGA Employment Center. PGA Apprentices and Members have access to career counselors and all industry professionals have access to PGA Job Finder.

Pro-Pro Tournament Series -- The fifth annual Pro-Pro Series, open to two-player teams in a best-ball format, will provide PGA Professionals with fun and competitive playing opportunities during Show week at top Orlando golf courses.

PGA Awards Night -- The PGA of America presents their most prestigious national awards on Thursday, Jan. 17, honoring Nancy Haley as the 2008 honoree of the annual Ernie Sabayrac Award, plus the PGA Merchandisers of the Year & PGA Professional of the Year.

Golfweek's Golfest -- Golfweek's Golfest consumer demo weekend, Jan. 12-13, features golf clinics, games, product previews and meet and greets with touring professionals for thousands of amateur golfers at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge.

REGISTRATION:
The PGA Merchandise Show is a trade-only event. PGA Professionals, buyers, industry executives and media can register online, plus make hotel and travel reservations at www.pgashow.com or by calling 1-800-PGA-EXPO. The PGA Merchandise Show offers airfare discounts and shuttle bus service from 32 official hotels.

The PGA Merchandise Show, organized in partnership with The PGA of America, is one of three leading golf trade shows in the PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions' golf portfolio including the PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas and the Ontario PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Toronto, Canada.