The wind of change will be in the air when the 3rd European Golf Business Conference will take place Nov. 5-7, 2008 in Berlin, instead of Amsterdam where it has been the last two times. The 2007 event attracted 230 delegates. But, with a number of impressive speakers and some hot topics to discuss, the expectation will be that this year’s conference surpasses the previous ones.
The conference, titled The Big Change, will take place from November 5-7 in the Hilton Berlin Hotel and will see the top business minds in European and international golf come together to debate the demand side of golf changing rapidly. The number of players is still growing each year. But are the new golfers the same golfers? Are their needs the same as our existing golfers?
These and many other questions will be touched in different sessions by specialists from all over the world:
- Marcel Welling, the president of the EGCOA, will give the big change presentation and reveal the outcome of the European comparable study in golf.
- David McLaren, director of property and venue development for the European Tour Golf Courses, will share his experience in golf operations and the secret of really making money with golf operations.
- Peter Walton, president and chief executive of International Association of Golf Tour Operators, will talk about the impact of the Big Change in the financial world and how you can use this to get more tourists visiting your golf course.
- Gordon Shepherd of the WWF will talk about the changing world towards more sustainability and how this could effect golf positive and negative.
- Laurence Pithie of Crown Golf, Europe’s biggest operator, will give his thoughts on modern management of maintenance of golf courses.
- Jonathan Smith is chief executive of the Golf Environment Organization. Following Gordon Shepherd's presentation, Jonathan Smith will give his insight on Sustainability in Golf and the important role GEO plays in this.
- Kryddan Peterson will talk about practical tips to improve the pace of play to shorten the round and make it more enjoyable.
- Peter Harradine is the chief architect in Harradine Golf and has personally designed and co-designed more than 150 golf courses. He will discuss changes in golf course architecture.
- Andrea Sartori of KPMG will reveal the outcome of the Economic Impact Study for Europe in his presentation. A joint effort of nine European Golf Bodies and KMPG brought this study of golf for Europe.
- Bill Sanderson, a coach and a consultant, will teach attendees how to market their venues in a changing market.
- Peter McEvoy and Guy Simpkin will show how Powerplay gives golf the excitement that connects to the current zap-generation, without loosing the charm of the game.
Beside the specialists speaking on stage, there is also space for participants to meet other important people in the golf business, to step up on stage to share thoughts and present new idea’s.
Golf course owners will give their best ideas of the year: the ones you can take home and implement! All delegates are welcome on stage to share their very best idea. Best idea will be voted idea of the year!
Meeting people and networking is an important reason for visiting conferences. To improve your networking, we will organize speed dating for you: dates of a few minutes with lots!
Golf changes in countries. Represents from various countries will share their changes with you. Get inspired!
Please visit www.egcoa.eu/conference2008 to register and meet the decision makers of golf in Berlin, Nov. 5-7 or read more about the breaking golf business event of the year.