Orlando, Florida, United States: The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions have announced a multi-year, strategic alliance to co-locate the annual Golf Business Conference with the PGA Merchandise Show, beginning in 2020.

The Golf Business Conference, hosted by NGCOA for more than 30 years, is the industry’s largest meeting specifically for golf course owners and operators. 

The event typically has nearly 40 classes and workshops on the most critical areas of golf course operations, a casual golf outing for attendees and sponsors to network, and an awards banquet to recognise some of the most significant contributors to the golf industry. 

With PGA Golf Exhibitions’ operational assistance, the conference will be held at the Orange County Convention Centre (January 20-22, 2020).

“We are pleased to bring the Golf Business Conference to Orlando, a popular destination among golf course operators and vendor partners, during PGA Show Week, one of the biggest weeks of the year for the golf industry,” said Jay Karen, the NGCOA’s Chief Executive Officer. 

He added: “NGCOA members will experience significant value in the new site and location for our event programming and we look forward to working with PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America to enhance the conference.”

During the Golf Business Conference, the NGCOA will continue to offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities for vendors. For vendors exhibiting at the PGA Merchandise Show, the 2020 Golf Business Conference schedule will allow course owners and operators ample time to explore the PGA Show Floor on Wednesday before the conference concludes, as well as all day Thursday and Friday. Vendors of all kinds will have many options to see course owners and operators.

“PGA Golf Exhibitions is pleased to work with the NGCOA on this valuable opportunity to further collaborate with owners and operators during PGA Show Week,” said Marc Simon, Event Vice President, PGA Golf Exhibitions. “We look forward to the opportunity to welcome even more NGCOA members to connect face-to-face with leaders from all aspects of the industry to drive forward the business of golf and grow the sport.”

PGA President Suzy Whaley added: “The PGA of America is excited that the new proximity of the NGCOA’s Golf Business Conference – beginning with next year’s PGA Merchandise Show – will create special collaboration opportunities for PGA Members to discover, learn and share best practices with golf course owners and operators.

“For example, the alignment will lead to enhanced opportunities for PGA Professionals to access career-specific education topics that are important to course owners, as well as opportunities for owners to learn about the programmes and initiatives that are important to our nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals.”

The NGCOA will remain a partner of the Golf Industry Show (GIS) along with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), the National Golf Foundation and the United States Golf Association. 

NGCOA will continue to host its semi-annual gathering of the Top Agronomic Officers at the GIS. The NGCOA plans to continue hosting the Golf Business TechCon and other new concept events each fall in the central and western areas of the United States.