THE NEW TOUR EDGE GOLF C & E 521 HOT LAUNCH SERIES see TourEdge.com _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @gogblogguy or friend him on Facebook. File photo from the 2019 PGA Show.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC strikes again.
With concerns and the effects still lingering from the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The PGA of America in partnership with Reed Expositions, that runs the annual PGA Merchandise show held every year in January, has elected to hold the 2021 show in the virtual format.
How this will effect the show, and what the overall reaction will be, remains to be seen. It appears that many regular attendee’s had concerns about coming next January to Orlando. The decision to move to a virtual format was made after feedback from PGA professionals, exhibitors, attendees, and various golf industry associations, vendor partners, and event stakeholders.
Welcome to the Major of Golf Business
The annual PGA Merchandise Show is the world’s largest meeting within the golf industry.
Around 40,000 golf industry professionals from around the globe meet to see the newest trends, updated technologies from both the biggest, and small new start up companies worldwide.
This coming year (2021) the show is comprising a plan for an inter-active virtual format, that will be comprised of exhibitor showrooms, education sessions, golf industry presentations, one-to-one meetings, group networking, special events, and golf celebrity engagement programs.
“We are thankful to the PGA of America, exhibiting companies, attendees, PGA Professionals and industry partners for their strong support and guidance that has allowed us to develop this exciting reimagination of the 2021 PGA Merchandise,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Event Vice President Marc Simon. “This years virtual PGA Show will offer unparalleled online engagement, connecting our industry to drive business and grow the game. Technology has brought us together in amazing new ways during the , and we plan to capitalize on these innovative solutions to make the PGA Show even better moving forward. Recognizing the increased interest in the game and potential growth in 2021 and beyond, we are excited to return to Orlando in 2022 to combined the best of technology advancements with the invaluable experience of face-to-face connections. Together, we are evolving and have the opportunity to emerge stronger and better connected than ever before.”
PGA of America President Suzy Whaley added this statement.
“Working in partnership with the PGA Show team, we are pleased to continue the longstanding tradition of connecting PGA Professionals and the global golf community with a new virtual PGA Merchandise Show experience and marketplace in 2021,” said Whaley. “The interactive virtual format will allow even greater participation from all corners of the U.S. and around the world, and together, we can collectively make the most of of the surging interest in the game. We share an optimistic outlook for the future of the sport and look forward to an exciting industry reunion when we all can meet face-to-face at the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show.”
Regular show attendee’s, PGA professionals, golf industry leaders, media members, and product manufacturers from around the world can now attend the show from the safety of their home or work location. The PGA of America says the show’s virtual platform will be come available for scheduling in Mid-December. With full live content provided during show week January 26-29, 2021.
The decision regarding moving the 2021 PGA Show to the virtual format saw the idea receive strong endorsements from Peter Broome SVP Acushnet-Titleist & FootJoy. From Callaway EVP Callaway Golf, Anne Broholm CEO of AHEAD LLC, and Peter Millar Golf President Todd Martin.
Golfers on Golf will follow updates on the show and pass them along as they released. Golfers on Golf and Len Ziehm on Golf will announce show plans at a later date. Stay clicked in for updates.