Golf Industry Show ranked 77th largest of the year

The Golf Industry Show received the No. 77 ranking from Tradeshow Week magazine for its 2008 event in Orlando, up from No. 82 the previous year.

Tradeshow Week compiles data submitted from trade shows and ranks the 200 largest annual trade shows in the United States. Rank is determined by net square feet of paid exhibit space. Show listings include: net square feet, number of exhibiting companies, number of professional attendees, number of exhibiting personnel, space rates and location. The ranking covers the 2008 calendar year only. There are approximately 3,500 trade shows that occupy 5,000 square feet or more of exhibit space each year in the United States.

Overall attendance at the 2008 Golf Industry Show in Orlando was a record 25,737, and there were a record 10,553 qualified buyers – those who can directly influence a purchase decision. The trade show itself was the largest ever with 965 companies represented with exhibits covering a record 300,900 square feet.

“This ranking is a great measuring stick against other trade shows outside of the golf industry and provides positive feedback for our exhibitors,” show officials noted. "We look forward to next year’s show in San Diego, the formal addition of the USGA, and the format enhancements that will be so beneficial to everyone involved in the event.”

The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. The event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners, operators, club managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders.

The Golf Industry Show is presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), along with participating partners Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). The three presenting partner organizations also hold their annual conferences in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) will join the Golf Industry Show beginning in 2010 as a participating partner.

In addition to the inclusion of the USGA, the Golf Industry Show will follow an enhanced format in 2010. Based on feedback from attendees and exhibitors, the schedule will be modified so that all events (education conferences and trade show) are held on weekdays. Responding to member and exhibitor desires to preserve more of their weekends, the trade show portion of the event will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 10-11), with virtually no competing events. GCSAA, NGCOA and CMAA education will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, with CMAA education continuing through Saturday.