PGA Show wrap-up: Industry reunited and it felt so good to many of those who were back

“There’s no replacement for the catalyst of communication and thought that happens at the Show.”

ORLANDO – The 69th PGA Show is in the books and while one publication dubbed it “the incredible shrinking show,” more than 600 exhibitors – down from 1,000 – showcased thousands of products and services to attending PGA professionals and golf buyers resulting in new business and new customers. The PGA Show reunited the global golf industry in person for the first time in two years, Jan. 25-28.

“With what is going on in the golf world, as well as the world itself, for all of us to be back together in Orlando, driving the business of golf forward, is significant,” said PGA President Jim Richerson.

The 2022 PGA Show began with Demo & Fitting Day at Orange County National Golf Center (OCN) on Jan. 25 and continued at Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), Jan. 26-28. Still, there is some concern that the attendance and participation dips may be more than a one-year COVID-19 blip.

“To us it was not a waste of time or negative experience. We look back and say, ‘That wasn’t bad.’ It wasn’t the best show ever but it was worth our time and money,” said Dan Murphy, noting his company achieved significant media exposure and opportunities to build relationships. “One of the real residual benefits these days is what happens beyond the Show walls. I have had distributors for Bridgestone and company employees in the last few days contacting us from Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, and the U.K. They weren’t there but the Show serves as not only a physical rallying point but a newsmaking event and a thought-leading event for the industry across the globe.”

One Twitter follower of this writer, Kristi Richerson, called the PGA Show “a relationship show” and she’ll get no argument here. Nearly 15,000 PGA pros – down from 40,000 – attended high-level industry presentations, learned timely business solutions and connected in person with peers and golf leaders to drive forward participation and the business of the sport.

“There’s no replacement for the catalyst of communication and thought that happens at the Show,” Murphy said. “How do you and I have a conversation where you and I actually understand and learn from each other. I don’t know how else we do it?”

As part of the PGA of America’s press release touting the Show’s success, Murphy added, “We’re learning a lot about the business needs of golf facilities during this extraordinarily busy time for all of us, and that’s a big part of the value of being here at the PGA Show.”

“What I see are customers who are here with intent to learn and to place orders. We’re extremely pleased with the outcome of exhibiting this week,” said Henri Johnson, inventor and CEO of FlightScope. “This is our 18th consecutive PGA Show, and what I’ve decided is that it will always be an annual part of our plans.”

While smaller in scale than traditional PGA Shows, the event attracted influential industry executives focused on engaging with manufacturers and one another during a time of strong growth for the sport. Annually the largest annual gathering of the PGA Membership, the PGA Show remains an important connection for PGA Professionals to the golf industry.

“We were on the fence about coming, and at the last minute we decided to take the plunge,” said Scott Morrison, co-founder of apparel brand Radmoor. “I’m glad we did, because the impact of being here is going to be significant on our business. We’re a new brand, and we don’t have sales reps to cover the entire country. If we could see three or four customers on a normal day, we can see 300-400 at the PGA Show. Plus, we’re making connections in the industry that will help us fill out our sales team as we grow our brand. Coming to the PGA Show was definitely the right decision for Radmoor.”

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