Top Brands Return, Buyer Pre-Registration Increases and Paul Azinger Headlines at Next Week's PGA Fall Expo

Next week's PGA Fall Expo is expected to draw more influential buyers and business leaders to the industry's annual marketplace that has attracted the renewed participation of golf's top brands among some 200 vendors during Las Vegas "fashion week" at the Venetian Resort Casino Hotel, August 16-18. Industry pre-registration for the 2010 PGA Fall Expo is tracking 11 percent ahead of last year as PGA Professionals, buyers and business leaders prepare for a busy, but fun, three days of merchandise sourcing, product testing, education and networking among the very best names in golf manufacturers, retailers and influential golf destinations. The PGA Fall Expo is welcoming back key influencers to the market. Nearly half of all pre-registered attendees did not attend last year and represent golf destinations, clubs and off-course retailers such as Troon Golf, Pinehurst Resort, Congressional Country Club, Dick's Sporting Goods, Pebble Beach Resort, Golfsmith and more. Registrants are in important positions including "owner/CEO/president," "vice president, general manager/management," "buyer," and "head professional." Similarly, top brands have returned to the market in 2010 including vendors such as AHEAD, Antigua, Ben Hogan/Sport Haley, Callaway Apparel, Callaway Golf, Carnoustie, CHAMP, Cleveland Classics, Cleveland Golf/Srixon, Club Glove, Cobra-PUMA, Cutter & Buck, Ecco, Fairway & Greene, Full Swing Golf, GEAR for Sports, Greg Norman Collection, Imperial Headwear, Izod G, LIJA, Peter Millar, PIMA Direct, PING, PING Apparel, Pukka Headwear, SkyGolf GPS, Sunice, TourEdge, Tehama, Under Armour and Zero Restriction. "The slightly earlier dates that coincide with Las Vegas Fashion Week position the PGA Fall Expo at a prime time for Spring 2011 merchandise sourcing," said PGA Golf Exhibitions Group Vice President and General Manager Ed Several. "There are multiple platforms for vendors to connect with buyers; a variety of business and education events to maximize attendance value, plus a good deal of fun thrown in with tournaments, receptions and special programs that will likely make this one of the most exciting PGA Fall Expos in recent years." With the PGA Fall Expo move to The Venetian at the heart of the apparel industry's "Fashion Week", tens of thousands of qualified apparel buyers will have access to the PGA Fall Expo, where nearly half of the show floor is dedicated to golf apparel and soft goods accessories. Crossover attendance is guaranteed among PGA Fall Expo, MAGIC™*, MODA™*, MRket®*, and ACCESSORIES The Show®* events as 60 percent of all apparel-buying PGA Professionals and buyers visited the Fashion Week shows in previous years.** Paul Azinger, the victorious 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, headlines a robust main stage schedule of designers, CEOs, instructors and subject matter experts. Off the show floor in nearby Venetian meeting rooms, The PGA of America, Association of Golf Merchandisers and PGA Golf Exhibitions are presenting a complimentary education conference of timely topics on merchandising, facility management, clubfitting, golf tourism, government relations, golf instruction and more. Attendees are able to personally test the latest equipment and accessories at the Outdoor Demo Day on Monday, Aug. 16, at Revere Golf Club, and throughout show days, Aug. 17-18, right on the show floor at the Indoor Golf Performance and Training Center. Also, the New Product Center centralizes the display of latest golf merchandise for buyers in one convenient setting. Additionally, the show floor includes the complimentary PGA Fall Expo Career Fair, including employer recruitment services, job and resume posting boards, employment workshops, on-site interviewing for a variety of industry positions, PGA Employment Services and access to PGA of America Employment Consultants. Networking is an important part of the annual PGA Fall Expo and there are multiple events to connect vendors with buyers, renew relationships and build new ones. Attendees can enjoy competitive and recreational golf opportunities on Monday, Aug. 16, at Revere Golf Club with the $7,000 PGA Professional Challenge Cup, the Amateur Shoot-Out or the more casual Industry Golf Outing. Also, the popular PGA Fall Expo Welcome Reception presented by Elations returns the first night of exhibition events, Tuesday, Aug. 17, at the popular TAO Las Vegas in the Grand Canal Shoppes of the Venetian. This year's PGA Fall Expo has moved to the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino at the heart of the apparel industry's "Fashion Week" and the MAGIC™*, MODA™*, MRket®*, and ACCESSORIES The Show®* events. Held Tuesday, Aug. 17, 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, Aug. 18, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., the PGA Fall Expo is an industry-only event and is not open to the public. Buyers, exhibitors and PGA Professionals can register and learn more information online at pgaexpo.com.