The 2023 PGA Buying & Education Summit, which was held last week at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas, welcomed more than 1,000 golf industry professionals from 44 states and eight countries to preview and source SS24 apparel collections, and the latest accessories and equipment from 166 golf brands.
The Summit, which was double the size of last year’s event in Las Vegas, was filled with valuable mid-season business opportunities, including product sourcing, national level education and buying appointments by day; and a Live Fashion Show, Demo Night and experiential networking events at night.
Vendors in the One2One buying appointments were capped; both exhibit ballrooms were sold out; education sessions were at full capacity and the PGA Coaching Center activation spaces were maximized to accommodate equipment and technology companies for Demo Night.
“The PGA Buying & Education Summit served as an exciting destination for both PGA Professionals and industry buyers to make valuable connections at the new Home of the PGA of America and Omni PGA Frisco Resort,” said PGA President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at The Country Club of Lansing in Lansing, Michigan.
“While meeting with some of the leading golf, technology and fashion brands, PGA Members also enhanced their professional development in sold-out educational seminars. To top it off, PGA Master Professionals from across the nation gathered to create new ways to mentor the PGA of America’s next generation. We were very pleased with the turnout from both an industry and educational perspective, as it shows that the game of golf is continuing to attract new players.”
PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon added: “We are so pleased with the amazing energy, positive feedback and excitement for the new event format and the extraordinary new destination for the PGA Buying & Education Summit.
“The new Home of the PGA of America, the Omni PGA Frisco Resort and the Monument Realty PGA District seem like they are custom built for a golf industry event like this. The days were filled with significant business opportunities, and the nights with networking and enjoyment for all that PGA Frisco has to offer.”
Roy Macfadyen, owner of sustainable apparel brand Reflo, said: “It’s been a brilliant show and more than we expected. We’ve met some amazing buyers and companies. We’ve made new sales and built long-term relationships. The facility is second-to-none. It takes your breath away when you walk into the hotel reception, it’s really something special. We’ve played the par-3 and the putting challenge on The Dance Floor and experienced the restaurants – it’s a golfer’s dream. It’s the perfect place for us to be.”
