The KPMG Golf Business Forum takes place 4-6 May at The Celtic Manor Resort. The theme is ‘Navigating the Choppy Waters of the Economic Downturn’. The event will focus on the current status of the golf industry and explore ways of getting through these tough times.
For the sixth year in a row KPMG will bring together the best golf business professionals from the UK, Europe Middle East & Africa, USA and Asia. Sessions will include interactive discussions, one-on-one interviews and presentations from key industry leaders and, of course, there will be plenty of time for the invaluable networking for which the Forum has become justly famous.
The world-class line-up of speakers includes Jonathan Orr, financial director of the European Tour, Jeremy Slessor, managing director of European Golf Design and Joseph Beditz, CEO of the National Golf Foundation, who will share their analysis and insight on what golf businesses have to do to beat the economic downturn.
The Design Academy panel session will discuss innovative golf course design that stands out from the crowd and makes good business sense, while the impact of changing technology on golf course development and design is the subject of in-depth discussion by a panel which includes The R&A, a leading golf equipment manufacturer, golf course architects and owners.
Countries and regions coming under the spotlight are India, China and the Middle East with, of course, one session dedicated to the United Kingdom, the largest market in EMA. This panel includes Stephen Lewis of Crown Golf, Roger Moreland of the England Golf Partnership and Neil Hobday from Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.
Setting the tone for the whole event, delegates will also hear from the golf business pioneer and one of the greatest sportsmen of all time, Arnold Palmer, being presented with his Lifetime Achievement Award and then interviewed exclusively by John Waples, Business Editor of The Sunday Times. This will be followed by a special golf clinic where ‘Arnie’ will talk about his life in golf and demonstrate the familiar, swashbuckling swing that has thrilled golf fans the world over.
“All previous KPMG Golf Business Forums have been sell-outs and with limited places available at the Celtic Manor Resort, you need to register now to guarantee your place,” said KPMG’s Dora Hayes-Bolgar. “This is the best golf business event of the year.”
Full details on the Golf Business Forum, including the agenda, speakers list, and details of the 2009 GBF golf tournament, which will take place on The Twenty Ten Course – home of the 2010 Ryder Cup, are available on: www.golfbusinessforum.com