Feature Articles

It’s PGA Merchandise Showtime!

Photography:: Hailey Garrett & Montana Pritchard / PGA of America.

Each winter, everybody who sells anything relating to golf heads to Orlando. What’s in store at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show?

The PGA Merchandise Show is all set for January 21-24 in Orlando. Golf car dealers will be joined by professionals from every segment of the golf industry for the annual event that bills itself, quite rightly, as the Major of Golf Business.

If you or a member of your team is going, how do you get the most out of it? What are the big events, the can’t-miss parts of the program? After all, we’re talking nearly 1,000 participating golf companies and brands – more than 40,000 golf industry professionals. This is no walk in the Magic Kingdom – you’re going to be busy in Orlando.

The 2020 PGA Show Week will begin with the NGCOA’s Golf Business Conference on January 20–22. That’s followed by the AGM Retail Conference on January 21 and the PGA Show Education Conference on January 21–24) at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). The 18th Annual PGA Show Demo Day will be held Tuesday, January 21, at Orange County National Golf Center. PGA Merchandise Show exhibits, demonstrations, presentations and special events will fill out the industry calendar from Wednesday through Friday, January 22–24, at the Convention Center. Additionally, the Racquet and Paddle Sports Show, a four‑day trade event for the tennis, racquet and paddle sports industry, will be co-located with the PGA Merchandise Show, January 22–24, in the Convention Center (West Halls E/F).

Before the show, complimentary industry registration for the PGA Merchandise Show is now open at PGAShow.com.


What else is happening? We’re glad you asked. In addition to the main show itself, you can attend:

Jan. 20-22
NGCOA Golf Business Conference
The annual Golf Business Conference, the largest annual meeting of golf course owners and operators, joins PGA Show Week for the first time in 2020 at the OCCC. The event offers 15 education sessions over two days; a pre-conference Master Class; a Master Minds session; the annual Yamaha Golf Outing; and the annual Celebration & Awards Dinner. Details are available at GolfBusinessConference.com.

Jan. 21
PGA Show Demo Day
The PGA Show Demo Day features nearly 100 top golf companies within 200+ hitting bays, practice greens, a golf cart test track and the vendor village of the 42-acre Orange County National Golf Center. Additionally, instructional workshops are offered on the range by top PGA Professional teachers. The PGA Show Demo Day is open to PGA Professionals, media and invited buyers, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; to all PGA Show attendees, noon – 5 p.m.

Photography:: Hailey Garrett & Montana Pritchard / PGA of America.

Jan. 21
AGM Retail Conference/Product Preview & Buyers’ Reception
The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) host their annual retail conference, including a full schedule of educational sessions, presentation of the Platinum Awards, and the evening Product Preview & Buyers’ Reception at the OCCC. Details are available at AGMgolf.org.

Jan. 21-24
PGA Show Education Conference
The annual PGA Show Education Conference features industry experts presenting outdoor instructional workshops, multiple certification programs and more than 50 classroom sessions at the OCCC and Orange County National Golf Center.


And Then There’s the Main Event…

Jan. 22-24
PGA Merchandise Show Exhibits, Demonstrations, Presentations, Special Events
The PGA Merchandise Show brings together nearly 40,000 golf industry professionals and some 1,000 participating golf companies within 1 million square ft. of exhibit, demonstration and meeting space of the Orange County Convention Center, Jan. 22–24. It will include:

Photography:: Hailey Garrett & Montana Pritchard / PGA of America.

Exhibits
Some 1,000 top golf companies and brands within nearly 1 million gross square feet of interactive exhibit, demonstration and presentation space create the world’s largest business-to-business golf event.

PGA Forum Stage
The PGA of America and industry leaders utilize the PGA Forum Stage to address the industry’s most pressing topics, player development initiatives, new equipment introductions, golf employment, teaching best practices, merchandising ideas and more.

Equipment Test Center
The country’s largest indoor equipment test center allows attendees to experience hands-on testing of the newest equipment and the latest advances in technology and design within 50 hitting bays and a nearby putting green.

Photography:: Hailey Garrett & Montana Pritchard / PGA of America.

Fashion Show & Block Party
The latest trends in fashion are in the spotlight during the live PGA Fashion Show & Block Party, newly located to the Apparel Hall, on Thursday evening, Jan. 22.

PGA Show Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction area, presented by TPI
This special exhibitor pavilion and presentation stage focuses on the health benefits of golf, and the products and services helping to increase enjoyment and performance, while playing the sport.

Inventor’s Spotlight
In cooperation with the United Inventors Association, the PGA Show presents the Inventor’s Spotlight exhibitor pavilion, a specialty area for innovative new products or services not yet available in the marketplace.

Golf Travel Pavilion
The latest resort, golf facility and travel services from around the world are featured in the travel pavilion, which also has the support of the International Golf Travel Market and their featured golf tourism suppliers exhibiting in the pavilion.

Photography:: Hailey Garrett & Montana Pritchard / PGA of America.

New Product Zone
The popular “New Product Zone” features hundreds of the newest equipment, apparel, products and accessories in one convenient Show floor setting and includes an exhibitor presentation stage.

Golf Facility Innovation Center
The Golf Facility Innovation Center is a contemporary model golf shop exhibit of merchandising best practices, fitness, technology, food and beverage operations, as well as all touch points that can impact the customer experience, and drive facility revenue.

Golf Channel “Morning Drive” Live
Bringing the excitement of the industry-only PGA Show to golf enthusiasts and consumers, Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” broadcasts live each morning from a special broadcast studio at PGA Show Demo Day and on the PGA Show Floor.