Company News_GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW ENJOYS PRODUCTIVE RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS

The Golf Industry Show returned to New Orleans February 5-7, 2009, with an exciting display of the latest products and services to the golf and club industries. Feedback from attendees and exhibitors in evaluating the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

Total attendance was 17,151, including 7,012 qualified buyers – those who can directly influence a purchase decision – and 765 exhibitors covered 257900 square feet of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center’s trade show floor.

“In just five years the Golf Industry Show has taken hold as a must-attend event,” show officials noted. “The feedback we receive continues to be positive. Attendees and exhibitors appreciate the team approach we promote and the enhancements we make to increase the event’s value. We look forward to next year’s show in San Diego, the formal addition of the USGA, and the format change that will be so beneficial to everyone involved in the event.

The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. The event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners, operators, club managers, chief operating officers, architects, and builders to form one of the largest trade shows in North America.

The Golf Industry Show is presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), and Club Managers Association of American (CMA), along with participating partners Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). The three presenting partner organizations also hold their annual conferences in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) will join the Golf Industry Show beginning in 2010 as a participating partner.

In addition to the inclusion of the USGA, the Golf Industry Show will feature a different format in 2010. Based on feedback from attendees and exhibitors, the schedule will be modified so that all events (education conferences and trade show) are held on weekdays. Responding to member and exhibitor desires to preserve more of their weekends, the trade show portion of the event will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 10-11), with virtually no competing events. GCSAA and NGCOA education will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

The Golf Industry Show sent almost 200 volunteers to help New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity build eight houses in the Jefferson Parish and Central City sections of New Orleans. The volunteers worked two full days at the two work sites, doing tasks such as laying sod, installing flashing, leveling dirt, building fences, finishing roofs, and construction stairs, walls and floors for local families.