38 EXHIBITIONS Positive mood at GIS
Attendance that some called ‘exceptional’ lends support to the growing wave of optimism that the golf industry is perhaps beginning to recover, writes Geoff Russell.
GBD MARCH/APRIL 2011
The team at Campey Turf Care Systems was pleased with the number of international visitors to the show T
HE Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade event designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities and the professional members of the golf course industry. Te show combines
education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners, operators, architects, builders, equipment managers, appraisers and others. Te show is presented by Golf Course Superintendents Association
of America (GCSAA) and National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), along with participating partners the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the Golf Course Builders Association of America, the United States Golf Association, the National Golf Foundation, the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association, and supporting partner the Society of Golf Appraisers. Visitors and exhibitors alike gave a big thumbs up to the 2011
show, conducted 9-10 February in Orlando, lending support to the growing wave of optimism that the golf industry is perhaps beginning to recover. Total attendance for those utilizing the two registration portals –
either GCSAA’s or that of the NGCOA – was 14,781. Tat represents a 4 percent increase over 2010. Note: because the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) was not a partner in the Golf Industry Show this year, 2010 CMAA attendance figures are not included. In terms of qualified buyers – those who are involved in the
purchasing decision – attendance increased 11 percent for a total of 5,752 qualified buyers. Te Golf Industry Show attracted 551 exhibitors spread across 180,000 net square feet of exhibit space over the two-day event at Orange County Convention Center. Tat represents a 4 percent decline in exhibition space from last year in San Diego (comparing
GCSAA and NGCOA exhibitors). “Coupled with what we saw at the PGA Merchandise Show in
January, there is definitely a different feeling than what prevailed last year at this time,” GCSAA chief executive officer Rhett Evans said. “From a qualitative and quantitative perspective, the Golf Industry Show was quite successful.” “Te numbers reaffirm the value of the show,” NGCOA chief
executive officer Mike Hughes said. “Coupled with the feedback from exhibitors, there is reason to be optimistic.” “Te Golf Industry Show was of tremendous value. It was
exceptional,” Syngenta marketing manager Margaret Bell said. “Te attendees were definitely in a buying mood and talking positively about 2011. We are already looking forward to the Golf Industry Show next year in Las Vegas.” Bell’s words were echoed by fellow exhibitors, many of whom
had travelled from the UK and other parts of Europe and were delighted both by the number of orders placed at the show and by the international spread of the visitors. Four of the British companies had received UKTI funding to assist their efforts to export. Rob Woolridge of Air-eze –
www.air-eze.co.uk – said, “Te show
went very well for us. We received 45 enquiries over the two days from both US and overseas golf clubs and trade representatives. “We sold one of our demonstration machines to our first US customer – Royal St. Cloud Golf Links in St. Cloud, Florida, who visited the stand in the first hour of the first day which is a very positive reinforcement of the demand we had expected. “Another of our machines will be installed at the PGA National
Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, from mid March as part of an exhibition and ongoing on-site demonstration for marketing purposes.
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