The NGCOA’s 2010 Annual Conference will include more than 20 educational sessions to help members prepare for whatever challenges the next year brings. The golf industry’s largest gathering of course owners and operators will be held Feb. 8-12 in San Diego.
The conference’s keynotes, breakout sessions and panel discussions over a two-day period are designed to help attendees understand how to adapt to consumers’ new attitudes and purchasing patterns, continue to weather the current economic storm and take advantage of improving economic conditions.
“No one knows how quickly we will emerge from the current recession or what the after effects will be for consumers, golfers in particular,” said Anne Lyndrup, the NGCOA’s director of conference and trade show. “The smart strategy is to be prepared, regardless of which way the winds blow. That’s what our conference is designed to help our members do.”
In addition to keynote speaker Todd Buchholz, a former White House director of economic policy, Conference speakers include:
• Gene Marks, CEO, The Marks Group, who will discuss profit-generating ideas including lowering utility, communication and cell phone expenses; engaging low-cost consultants; using social networking tools and identifying services to lower marketing costs.
• Jon Last, president of Sports and Leisure Research Group, who will discuss consumers’ new value-oriented mindsets and the increased competition for golfer's discretionary time and money.
• Cindy Estis Green, managing partner of The Estis Group, who will introduce course owners to new marketing techniques, including search-engine optimization, rich web content and social media to drive revenue and optimize tee time inventory.
• Henry DeLozier, a partner in Global Golf Advisors, who will discuss tools and information resources that can improve financial results. The session will cover budgeting and capital expense planning, risk management and golf asset evaluation.
NGCOA members and non-members can register for the Conference at www.ngcoa.org/conference. A $50 early-registration discount is available through Jan. 7.
The NGCOA’s Annual Conference will run concurrently with the 2010 Golf Industry Show, Feb. 10-11, at the San Diego Convention Center. The Golf industry Show, which is expected to attract more than 625 manufacturers and service providers whose exhibits will cover more than 220,000 net square feet, is presented by the NGCOA, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Club Managers Association of America.