Orlando, Florida, United States: The 69th PGA Show reunited the global golf industry in person for the first time in two years.

Nearly 15,000 PGA Professionals, golf leaders, industry executives and retailers sourced new products from more than 600 participating brands, attended high-level industry presentations, learned timely business solutions and connected in person with peers and golf leaders to drive forward participation and the business of the sport.

The 2022 PGA Show began with Demo & Fitting Day at Orange County National Golf Centre (OCN) on January 25 and continued at Orange County Convention Centre (OCCC) from January 26-28.

Organised in partnership by PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America, the PGA Show implemented robust health and safety standards to support a responsible industry gathering during on-going pandemic challenges.

While smaller in scale than traditional PGA Shows, the event attracted influential industry executives focused on engaging with manufacturers and one another during a time of strong growth for the sport.

Annually the largest annual gathering of the PGA Membership, the PGA Show remains an important connection for PGA Professionals to the golf industry where they can source new products, learn new business strategies and build relationships with peers, manufacturers and other industry leaders.

“It’s incredible to think that we haven’t been together as an industry for two years,” said Jim Richerson, President of the PGA of America, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“With what is going on in the golf world, as well as the world itself, for all of us to be back together in Orlando, driving the business of golf forward, is significant. It is a pleasure to have been here promoting not just the PGA of America and PGA Golf Professionals, but also the game of golf,” he added.

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said: “It was great to be back in person at the PGA Show. The energy was great and a real platform to showcase innovative ideas and products, as well as countless learning opportunities for the many PGA Professionals who were able to be here.

“It made for a very collaborative, social environment and a great reminder of the importance of the golf industry getting together and connecting through an in-person Show.”

The 19th PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day, produced in partnership between the PGA Show and PGA Magazine, began PGA Show Week at OCN in cool temperatures and a light drizzle but didn’t deter industry professionals from experiencing new golf innovations in outdoor golf conditions, while also learning from experts in coaching, club-fitting, fitness and range operations.

The 69th PGA Show opened at OCCC with a special ceremony by the PGA of America, featuring musician Sam Harrop, and an announcement of the Association’s national award recipients, highlighted by PGA Golf Professional of the Year Tom Wildenhaus, PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Jamie Mulligan and PGA Golf Executive of Year Joe Assell.

Following the brief ceremony, attendees entered a reimagined Show floor featuring new products from more than 600 participating brands and multiple new experiential elements.

The new PGA Hub, located at the main entrance and centre of the Show floor, became a popular meeting spot where PGA Professionals could attend industry presentations, participate in golf coaching demonstrations and contests, see the PGA premier championships trophies up close and connect directly with PGA partners and Association departments.

The new Equipment Test Centre, featuring a relocated putting green near the indoor driving range and anchored by the Golf Channel broadcast stage, became a popular product testing and networking location at the south end of the exhibit hall.

The Fashion Buyer Lounge, home to the annual live fashion show, anchored the north end of the exhibit hall and popular exhibitor pavilions stretched the expanse between the ends, including the New Product Zone, Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion, Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction Pavilion and Stage, Golf Travel Pavilion and Adaptive Golf Centre.

More than 600 exhibitors showcased thousands of products and services to attending PGA Professionals and golf buyers resulting in new business and new customers.