Every January, the golf industry convenes in Orlando, Fl, at the annual PGA Merchandise Show as PGA Professionals, industry leaders, media, and golf enthusiasts experience the latest trends and products. Several of the MGA's corporate partners participated at the show this year to share their products and services.
vineyard vines
vineyard vines debuted its new collection in collaboration with CBS commentator Jim Nantz in Orlando.
"We teamed up with the greatest voice in golf, sports commentator Jim Nantz, to create a collection of comfortable, sophisticated pieces for the course, clubhouse and beyond." -vineyard vines
The Stamford, Conn., based company also showcased their 2019 collection of golf performance apparel, which MGA tournament participants will see on the course this season.
Callaway Golf
Always an impressive presence, Callaway uses the show as an opportunity to celebrate new products and connect with Callaway staff professionals, fans and consumers.
AJ Voelpel, Callaway's Creative Content Manager, filled us in on some highlights from this year's show."We just launched a slew of new products, which includes; Epic Flash drivers and fairway woods; Apex irons and hybrids and Apex Pro irons; PM-grind wedges; ERC, Magna and Supersoft golf balls. We also announced Epic Fits, which is a very small Bluetooth-enabled swing analyzer that screws into the butt-end of a driver and 7 iron. You literally take a couple swings and it will diagnose the exact shaft you should be using. Its been in the works for years and will undoubtedly change the entire clubfitting procedure and experience."
To honor and thank the Callaway PGA Staff Professionals, a large board listed names of professionals from throughout the country (pictured right).
"We held a special event for all the Callaway Master Staff Professionals who were in town at Topgolf, which turned out tremendous! We also built this semi-secret PGA Professional clubhouse where all our staff professionals could go relax, meet each other, grab a snack, etc."
The number one goal for Callaway in Orlando: Provide more experiential opportunities for our fans and consumers. "We feel like once someone gets to know us on a personal level, it’s so much easier for them to connect with the brand. Harry Arnett, our SVP of Marketing, always says 'consumers don’t connect with brands, they connect with the people behind them.' He’s 100% right."
ClubUp
ClubUp, the leading software and services company that caters to private golf clubs with caddie programs, was active in Orlando as the company continues to expand and grow at clubs throughout the country.
We caught up with ClubUp as they reflected on their 2019 show experience.
"Our business is heavily predicated on relationships and face-to-face meetings accelerate the process. Also, as a startup, we find we need to be in multiple places at the same time. The PGA Show allows us to meet with clubs personally from across the country from one location."
With leadership from clubs and courses from across the country in the same place at the same time, the benefits of in-person networking are crucial. "Given the limited time the attendees have to spend at each booth, we make sure our value proposition is clear, concise, and relevant. ClubUp knows every club is unique and steeped in tradition. Our process starts with listening followed by a system demo highlighting where we can help."
GOLFZON
GOLFZON, the world leading golf simulator company, used the week of the PGA Show to engage with consumers, media, and GOLFZON representatives, including renowned instructor David Leadbetter (pictured above).
To kickoff of the week, GOLFZON held a special media breakfast with Leadbetter, where he discussed how golf instruction and the capability of simulators impact his business and the game. Leadbetter and GOLFZON have a new relationship in which the advanced technology will be used in Leadbetter Golf Academies.
Throughout the remainder of the show, GOLFZON held multiple other fun events that encouraged attendees to try out the simulator technology, including a "closest to the pin" content with PGA Magazine.