Demo Night and industry networking party to launch 2011 PGA Expo

The 2011 PGA Expo, August 23-24 in Las Vegas, begins with a new Demo Night and industry networking party at the Callaway Golf Center, just off the Las Vegas Strip, on Monday, August 22.  PGA Professionals, buyers and industry leaders attending the PGA Expo will be able to field test the newest equipment, training aids and accessories first hand, 5:00-9:00 p.m., at the Center’s two-tiered 113-stall lighted driving range, plus the putting and chipping greens. The Center’s Divine Nine, a nine-hole lighted par-3 course, will be the site of a social golf outing and a Demo Night networking party will be offered throughout the facility.

“We anticipate one of our best PGA Expo demo events to date with over 40 companies participating,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President John McGeary.  “The evening will be all about testing the latest equipment, networking with peers along with some fun programs added in.”

More than 40 manufacturers are making plans to participate including top companies such as Callaway Golf, Cleveland Golf-Srixon, Cobra Puma Golf, FlightScope, Foresight Sports, PING and Tour Edge.  Special demonstrations will be scheduled and PGA Professionals can earn 4 MSR credits for participating in the event.

The Divine-Nine industry golf outing provides PGA Expo attendees with the opportunity to play a fun round of nine-holes while testing new products on the Callaway Golf Center nine-hole lighted par-3 course.  The outing includes refreshments on the course, gift bags, contests, the opportunity to test the latest equipment throughout the course, green fees and cart.  The WE ARE GOLF coalition is a beneficiary of the Demo Night golf outing.

Complimentary shuttle buses will transport PGA Expo attendees from The Venetian to Demo Night every 20 minutes beginning at 4:30 p.m. for the short ride down the strip to the Callaway Golf Center.  PGA Expo badges are required for shuttle transportation and Demo Night entry.  Parking is limited and the use of the complimentary bus shuttles is encouraged. 

United Rentals, the Official Equipment Rental Partner of The PGA of America, is the presenting sponsor of PGA Expo Demo Night.  Pukka Headwear is the official hat of the event and will be providing a custom PGA Expo Demo Night cap to the first 1,000 attendees.  SCOR Golf, an innovative line of scoring clubs and short game fitting system, is the official short game sponsor of the PGA Expo Demo Night.

About the PGA Expo
For more than 20 years, golf industry leaders have come to the PGA Expo in the second-half of the golf season to source new merchandise and vendors, test the latest equipment and aids, learn new teaching and business methods from proven industry experts and network among peers and industry executives. 

More than 200 golf companies and brands will present and demonstrate their latest merchandise in upscale, exhibit displays in the Venetian Ballroom on Tuesday, August 23, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, August 24, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  Renowned instructor Butch Harmon will lead off the main stage presentations, which will also include designers, instructors, subject experts and successful CEOs.  Attendees can participate in the comprehensive education conference; test equipment right at the Golf Performance & Training Center; uncover the newest merchandise at the New Product Center; and network with colleagues among displays of the latest golf fashion lines in the new Fashion FOREward Spotlight.  And, the popular Elations Industry Reception will return the first night of exhibition events, Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the TAO Las Vegas in the Grand Canal Shoppes of the Venetian, with a new, complimentary Opening Night After-Party at LAVO in the Palazzo Las Vegas Resort.

The PGA Expo is held at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in the heart of the apparel industry’s “Fashion Week” and the MAGIC, MODA, MRket and ACCESSORIES: The Show events.  It is an industry-only event and is not open to the public.