Orlando, Florida — Attendance at the 70th PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, The number of exhibitors doubled from 2022. From January 24-27, 30,000 PGA Professionals, golf executives, industry executives and retailers from more than 86 countries gathered to meet with more than 800 golf companies, marking a 33% increase in the number of exhibitors.
After two years of business disruption due to the global pandemic, the PGA Show was a clear sign of a bullish year ahead for the continued growth of the sport and the $84 billion golf industry.
“The PGA Show is the largest gathering of PGA professionals and industry leaders each year, and it certainly lived up to that reputation this year,” said PGA Chairman John Lindert. ““It was the epicenter of golf, with over 800 companies doing business there, and it continues to be golf’s largest stage for networking, education and career development. We met with countless golf associations and allied organizations to develop strategies to grow participation in the game and business strategies for the months and years ahead.”
NSSF’s 45th SHOT Show is Largest Ever, Breaks Exhibit Space Records
The PGA Show, organized by Reaction and the PGA of Americaoccupied nearly one million gross square feet of interactive exhibit, demonstration and presentation space. Orange County Convention Centercreating the world’s largest business-to-business golf event. Industry-leading brands, veteran manufacturers and newcomers to the golf market showcased their latest innovations in golf equipment, technology, fashion, accessories, training aids and services to PGA Professionals, golf retailers and influential industry leaders from around the world.
““A broad range of companies combined with strong participation from the international golf business community at this year’s PGA Show created an industry gathering unlike any other in recent years,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions (a division of RXGlobal) Vice President Marc Simon. “In-person relationships and dynamic on-show activities have resulted in an optimistic outlook that has the momentum to drive the golf industry to new heights in 2023.”
Some of the most popular networking spots at the trade show included the annual live fashion show and the Equipment Testing Center and Putting Green – an indoor golf equipment testing and experimentation space featuring 44 indoor hitting stations and a 3,750 square foot putting green for hands-on testing of the latest equipment.
In 2022, the story was much different. Although the 69th PGA Show brought together the global golf industry for the first time in two years, the show attracted only 15,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors. It was a dark time for the golf community as the world grappled with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the novel COVID-19 pandemic. Omicron variant of COVID Changes that occurred at the end of 2021 also had a negative impact on participation in the show.
But in 2023, the PGA Show was back in full swing. Attendance doubled, and the show floor was once again filled with the sounds of excited golfers and enthusiastic vendors. The mood was upbeat and joyful, a far cry from the tone of the previous year.
“The energy at the PGA Show was fantastic,” said Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America. ““I grew up on a trading floor (at the New York Stock Exchange) and it reminds me of the energy and excitement of a busy trading day. It reflects the (golf) industry, which is booming. We played defense for a few years during the pandemic, but we’re about to get back to normal now. If the PGA Show is any barometer, 2023 is going to be a great year for golf.”
Reach John Linderat (561) 624-8400; Seth Waugh at (305) 318-5208; Marc Simon at (203) 840-5399