34 ASK ALLEN PGA Show Share
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ach January when winter curtails playing golf for most of those around the country, the business of golf has one of its largest gatherings, the PGA Show. Over 40,000 attendees will be able to work their way through roughly a million square feet of exhibition space to visit with over a thousand vendors. For some of us that know the beginnings, it is amazing how the show has evolved. It began in 1954 with vendors opening their car trunks and some setting up tables to show their products to the PGA members playing the winter tournament series in Florida. The show grew so much so quickly, a circus tent was rented in 1957 to house everyone. From those humble beginnings we now host what I have been told is in the top 20 of largest shows in the country.
200 registered participants. It’s a full day of education on nutrition, skills, events, and aspects of how best to work with juniors and their parents. Tuesday is demo day with almost 100 companies bringing out their equipment and tech folks for everyone to see, feel and try. Wednesday day night is our annual PGA of America Awards Night honoring those PGA who have achieved in the areas of education, employment, junior golf teaching and our highest honor, the PGA Professional of the Year. There are education programs, conferences, town halls, state of the industry discussion, and so much more. Some of the greatest in the game whether business related or playing ability will be there such as Annika Sorenstam, Donald Trump, Dottie Pepper, Peter Jacobson, and Nancy Lopez.
Beside the mega show, there are so many other venues and activities around and during the event. On Monday, we will host our first Youth and Family Summit with over
What I have enjoyed the most since I started going 30 years ago is the networking. It is a wonderful time to reconnect with old friends and colleagues and to develop
MARYLAND STATE GOLF MAGAZINE | January 2014