Golf World Monday - January 31, 2011

pga merchandise
show

two years ago, with the economy in free fall, fear and trepidation ruled at the pga merchandise show. last year folks seemed happy simply to be at the annual orlando event, embracing in an industry group hug. last week, however, the show mood had a decidedly different vibe—one of an industry regaining its footing. for starters, virtually all the big boys were there as taylormade and cleveland golf returned after absences. Virtually all the key numbers (exhibitors, square footage of exhibit space, attendees) were up from 2010. in all, 41,824 people made their way onto the show floor over the three days of the exhibition. the dialogue was sincere and, at times, frank— and not always about one’s own business. conversations often included discussions about how to grow the game and engage more golfers. one idea not often brought up was this: allow the public into the pga merchandise show. although attendance was good, you could almost shoot off a cannon on the show floor saturday morning (the last day of the event) and not hurt anyone. the pga merchandise show is a wonderful spectacle that shows off the industry at its best, but it is rarely seen by those outside the business. the call here is that is a missed opportunity. swing open the doors saturday morning, charge $10 and give the proceeds to a grow-the-game initiative. that’s not only regaining your footing. it’s putting your best foot forward. —E. Michael Johnson