Golf course superintendents, managers, owners, architects, builders and other professionals made this year’s Golf Industry Show the largest yet. Attendance at this year’s education conferences almost numbered 25,800, according to the preliminary numbers. That’s an increase from the previous record, 23,099, which was set last year in Anaheim. The unofficial numbers show an increase in qualified buyers, too – 11,500. The trade show also was the largest spacewise, occupying 300,900 square feet.
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If the record was to be broken, Orlando is the fitting place for it to happen. The location historically has drawn greater participation than the others, says Steve Mona, c.e.o. of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. The show will have more opportunities to break the record. It was announced that the contract was extended five years.
“This show is no longer an experiment,” Mona says. “It’s here to stay.”
On Feb. 2, Mona joined the heads of the show’s other two presenting organizations – National Golf Course Owners Association’s Mike Hughes and Club Managers Association of America’s Jim Singerling – to reflect on the show as it was winding down and initial impressions of its overall success.
The show ran Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 in Orlando, Fla., with each organization’s education conference taking place around or during the show, starting Jan. 28 and ending Feb. 5 with the conclusion of CMAA’s World Conference on Club Management. This was the CMAA’s second year as part of the Golf Industry Show.
Hughes is optimistic next year’s show in New Orleans will be successful, too.
“We’re perfectly positioned because of we’ve demonstrated success,” he says. “Each year we get a little better executing it.”
This was Mona’s last Golf Industry Show in his current capacity. In September, he accepted the newly created position of c.e.o. with the World Golf Foundation but would stay with the GCSAA for as long as six months while the association searches for his replacement. Mona plans to be back at the show next year. Singerling says he welcomes Mona’s friendship.
“The vision and leadership Steve provided to this partnering effort, and will continue to provide the industry, needs to be recognized and applauded,” he says.
