ORLANDO SHOW PREVIEW
It's Show time again!
The golf trade's annual pilgrimage to Orlando is about to get under way, and as usual there
will be plenty of eye-catching and innovative new products and services to sample
POTENTIALLY
A
AWKWARD year awaits
pros, retailers and
manufacturers, but the
56th PGA Merchandise
Show from 29-31 January at the Orange
County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida, aims to put all that gloom and
doom firmly into perspective.
"While many are talking about the
economy, the PGA Merchandise Show
is doing something about it by offering
a wealth of resources unlike any other
business event," said PGA Shows Group
vice-president Ed Several.
More than 45,000 industry professionals
are expected to participate in a full three-
day schedule of events and presentations
from more than 1,200 exhibiting
companies. golf art and literature,
On Wednesday 28 January, visitors can and a new green initiatives
test a bewildering selection of equipment exhibition. Exhibiting
during the outdoor Demo Day on the companies will include Ian Poulter
42-acre practice facility at the Orange Designs and Boo Weekley by Firethorn
County National Golf Center and Lodge in Tour -the apparel outlets of two of the stars
Winter Garden. of last year's Ryder Cup match.
Shuttles will run from Orange County With some 10 miles of show aisles
FROM EUROPE
Convention Center to the Demo Day between the two, the Fashion Gallery and
and back every 20 minutes, beginning at PGA Equipment Forum are the two anchors
8:30am and ending at 6pm. of the show floor. The PGA Equipment
Exhibits to seek
But for those who can't make the Forum schedule will be packed daily with
Demo Day, there will also be plenty of presentations on industry economics and
out in Orlando
other opportunities to try out new clubs emerging markets, and other initiatives DESPITE THE recession and relative
at the Equipment Test Center during the devoted to growing the game. strength of the dollar, there will still be
show itself. Meanwhile, the New Product Center a sizeable European and UK presence
The scalloped layout of some 47 hitting will once again have a prominent position at the show.
bays, a putting green and a PGA short on the show floor while the inaugural New Among those exhibiting, GEL Golf will
game challenge area provide a multitude Product Showcase will have pride of place showcase three new putters in its Paul
of hands-on testing opportunities. in the vendor village on Demo Day. Hurrion Signature Range, designed in
Testimony to this is the fact that more than As usual, the organisers are laying on conjunction with sports biomechanist
250,000 balls were hit at the ETC last year. a host of social events, starting with the and putting coach Dr Paul Hurrion. The
Industry giants Titleist and PING are product preview and buyers reception company has put horizontal precision-
returning to the floor after staying away for on the evening of 28 January, featuring cut, aluminium inserts into the heads to
a number of years while other exhibitors a complimentary concert by Dennis reduce skid and deliver a truer, straighter
include Callaway Golf, Cleveland Golf/ DeYoung, formerly of Styx. roll.
Srixon, Cobra, Nike Golf, Wilson Golf, Many of the global game's most Vicarious Golf will display its
Bridgestone Golf, Ashworth, adidas, Cutter influential leaders will attend the show innovative V-Towel product, winner of
& Buck, Greg Norman Collection, Club which will also feature interactive a 'best new product' award at the
Car and E-Z-GO. exhibits, education seminars, fashion 2008 PGA Merchandise Show. The
Appearing on the exhibition floor for the shows, industry awards, trend reports, two-in-one brush and towel system
first time is the new PGA Fashion Gallery, merchandising workshops and best- marries a detachable, mircofibre towel
which will feature numerous exclusive practice presentations. with a 270-degree cleaning bristle arc
apparel viewings, accessory spotlight displays, For more, see
www.pgashow.com to keep clubs in optimum condition.
12 January 2009 PRO SHOP EUROPE
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