PGA Fashion Experience opening day begins with toast, ends with reception

LAS VEGAS – The PGA Fashion Experience at the Venetian began on Tuesday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and mimosa toast by PGA of America Secretary Paul Levy, PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Senior Vice President and General Manager Ed Several and Southwest PGA Section President Don Rea opening the show floor doors with a special welcome to attending PGA Professionals, buyers and golf industry executives.

Through the Palazzo Ballroom show doors, attendees found an all-new sophisticated look and feel to showcase the hottest fashion trends and newest accessory collections from some 200 companies. The PGA Fashion Experience, co-located with multiple Las Vegas Fashion Week trade shows, moved to an upscale new setting on the fifth floor of the Venetian Conference Center. The PGA Fashion Experience is open again Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

“I love what they have done with the show floor this year – it’s a beautiful setup,” said Kim Dolan, PGA, of Siena Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. “From the PGA Demo Experience at Cascata (Monday) to the more elegant setting on the show floor at The Venetian, the show organizers have done a nice job of elevating the Las Vegas show to a status that is more in line with the other shows during Fashion Week in Las Vegas. As a golf professional, I like the PGA Show in Las Vegas because it’s so convenient, but they have taken everything up a notch or two this year in the presentations. Everything is first class all the way.”

“The PGA Fashion Experience has been very beneficial as we expand our national and international exposure in the golf market – and as a lifestyle line for women,” said Annie Margulis, president, Girls Golf. “Our traffic at the booth has been very good, and we’ve already had several buyers from other Fashion Week shows in Las Vegas come through to tell us we’re the highlight of their Show week so far. Buyers from Marshalls and T.J. Maxx stopped by and loved our lifestyle lines. We have also written orders with several new golf facilities that we haven’t done business with previously, so it has been a very productive first day of the PGA show.”

An exciting first day of business on the show floor concluded with the sold-out PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Live Fashion Show, presented by Chase54, which took place on the main stage of the show floor. Golf Channel's Bailey Mosier was the Master of Ceremonies. Participating companies included Chase54, AUR, Callaway Golf Apparel, COBRA PUMA GOLF, CUTTER & BUCK, Daily Sports, Dominie Luxury Women's Handbags, EP Pro, Girls Golf, J. Lindeberg, Nivo, Straight Down, Sunice, Tom Morris International, Tommy Hilfiger and TravisMathew.

Immediately following the fashion show, golf and fashion industry professionals enjoyed the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Opening Night Reception, also presented by Chase54, featuring complimentary wine, beer & light hors d'oeuvres in a social, lively atmosphere on the Show floor. Exhibitor booths stayed open for business during the event for PGA Professionals and buyers to business on the floor.

Many participating companies hosted celebrity appearances, special events and offered exclusive show specials that will continue into Wednesday. Complimentary golf retail workshops continue for all attending PGA Professionals, golf retailers and apparel buyers free of charge on the main stage in the Palazzo Ballroom.

The PGA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the 2014 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience, also continues Wednesday in the Marcello Meeting Rooms on the fourth floor of the Venetian Conference Center. Single session education registration is available at the event registration counter on the fourth floor of the Venetian.

Golf industry professionals in the Las Vegas region may continue to register onsite. The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is an industry-only event and not open to the general public.