Welcome to the first in a series of daily e-newsletters devoted to the second-largest event in the U.S. dedicated to the golf/turf business. Why would we single out one regional event for attention and why should you care about what’s going on at the Carolinas GCSA Conference & Show in Myrtle Beach? Allow me to spell it out:
- While other events are struggling with “the new normal” of diminishing attendance and exhibit space, this one is quite literally sold out. You couldn’t squeeze one more butt into an education seat for the two days of seminars that started yesterday. Great topics plus world-class instructors equals amazing participation in the education program.
- The show floor at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, the site of this event for many years, is packed tighter than a Tokyo train car. The show is now spilling over into the lobby. As other events shrink, this one grows like kudzu.
- The golf tournament – held yesterday at four area courses, was actually more than sold out. They squeezed a few extra foursomes in to hit 316 players.
- The association is doing cool stuff. I sat in on their board meeting Sunday night and heard updates from not one but two lobbyists they employ to deal with issues in the legislatures of both states. They have an energetic, experienced staff – thanks to the revenues generated by the show – that comes up with programs like the original Rounds4Research. They’re also working with Precision Labs – one of the industry’s techiest companies – to use Microsoft Tags on badges to allow attendees to connect better with exhibitors and others. How cool is that?
- Finally, it’s fun. Hey, it’s freakin’ Myrtle Beach in November… why wouldn’t you want to be here?
The Carolinas Show is often called a “mini-GIS.” No offense to the nice folks at the National, but this thing has stuff going for it that Las Vegas or Orlando just can’t match. There’s a sense of passion, loyalty and commitment here that flows from the success of the association and from the excellence of the programs they offer. And, most of all, there’s a Southern charm to this conference that warms you like a bowl of shecrab soup. It’s special.
So, I hope you enjoy the next few days of our special coverage of the show (which, thanks to a sponsorship from our good friends at Agrium, comes to you largely ad-free). And, I hope you’ll give some thought to attending this event in the future. Or, to put it in Carolinese: Y’all come down now, ya hear?
