Las Vegas, United States: The 2017 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience welcomed thousands of PGA professionals, golf buyers and business leaders from 45 US states and 30 countries to Las Vegas for three busy days of merchandise sourcing, product testing, education, professional networking and special events.
Two new event venues were well received by attending professionals – the annual Pro-Pro Tournament moved to the award-winning TPC Las Vegas and the PGA Demo Experience relocated to the climate-controlled environment of Topgolf Las Vegas, a flagship property of the popular golf entertainment destination.
Merchandise exhibits, special events and education programmes returned to the upscale setting of the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian Hotel.
The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience featured the participation of nearly 200 golf companies and brands including up-and-coming designers, entrepreneurs entering the market, veteran golf manufacturers, established apparel brands and market leaders.
PGA President Paul Levy said: “The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience in Las Vegas comes at an ideal time of year and serves a vital purpose for those PGA professionals who are preparing budgets and making business decisions for 2018.
“For those PGA professionals in Sun Belt regions and in the western United States, it is especially convenient to come to Las Vegas in August to catch up on what is happening in the golf industry, discover the latest merchandise and update themselves with education, instruction and business seminars. It has been a very worthwhile and productive three days.”
Attendance at the PGA Demo Experience nearly doubled and education conference participation was up 18 per cent.
PGA professional attendance was up eight per cent and key buyer attendance up one per cent, while overall attendance decreased slightly.
The top five countries (outside of US) represented in attendance were Canada, Korea, Mexico, Japan and the United Kingdom.