Introducing Australia’s most influential Golf Business Event
The changes to the ways we interact, work and get around are well known – but this disruption to our daily lives has also accelerated the evolution in the way in which Australians participate in sport, recreation and leisure activities. Whilst golf is one of the nation’s most popular participation sports, its own evolutionary path must adapt to ensure golf remains relevant to today and tomorrow’s consumer.
Today’s golf consumer is engaging with golf via different kinds of facilities. Public access golf courses, member-based clubs, driving ranges, mini-golf facilities and the new breed of golf simulators all have a vital role to play in golf’s development.
According to Golf Australia, the overwhelming majority of Australia’s 1.2 million estimated golfers are public golfers who are not tied to a member-based club. Given the sheer number of public golfers, and the diverse forms of golf participation, the public golfer is one of key drivers for the future of Australian golf.
Within the broad range of golf facilities, there are hundreds of people impacting the future of golf in Australia – most of whom have never been in the one place, at the one time. By working in isolation, these owners and operators lack any opportunity to share success and drive innovation through collaboration.
In response, industry leaders have developed the inaugural Golf Business Forum 2016 – Australia’s largest ever gathering of golf facility owners, operators, industry leaders and business partners, to be held in Melbourne in July 2016.
Who is behind the Forum?
The Forum has been developed by Guy Chapple and Andrew Davies from WellPlayed Golf Business Consultancy, working with key industry groups and suppliers. Guy and Andrew have a long history in the golf industry: Guy as a general manager of member-based clubs (20 years) and more recently as a golf business consultant (4 years), and Andrew as owner of Eagle Ridge Golf Course on the Mornington Peninsula since 2007, golf business consultant and CEO of technology provider Quick18 Australia.
“In recent years, WellPlayed’s project work has required us to circulate amongst many public-access golf facilities – including some of Australia’s busiest sites. We have seen industry-leading innovation, as well as many facilities struggling with issues around capital investment and business strategy. It quickly became apparent to us that there was a genuine desire amongst these people to connect with other facility operators, owners and the broader golf industry.” explained Andrew.
“Historically the industry hasn’t engaged very well with the public-access side of the market, and the Forum is a key opportunity to change that.” Andrew added.
The event has attracted the support of the industry’s leading suppliers and organisations.
MSL Solutions, owners of market leading software solutions and golfer websites, including Micropower, GolfLink (www.golflink.com.au) and iseekgolf (www.iseekgolf.com), is the Forum’s Platinum Partner.
“MSL Solutions are delighted to be involved with this ground-breaking event. Through our leading brands, we pride ourselves on developing and providing innovative software solutions and web platforms to the golf industry. The Golf Business Forum shares our innovative approach and the event will provide a valuable education and networking environment for the public-access side of the industry.” said Managing Director and CEO Craig Kinross.
Key industry suppliers Club Car and Toro have also confirmed their support from an early stage. A full suite of sponsor and exhibition opportunities have now been made available, and are expected to be pursued by organisations wishing to engage with both golf facilities and the public golfer market.
Industry bodies behind the Forum
Many industry organisations have also committed to Golf Business Forum 2016. Golf Australia is the event’s Foundation Partner. “Golf Australia is thrilled with the opportunity to support the first ever Golf Business Forum as a Foundation Partner. The event is a great step in assisting us to connect with the public-access side of the industry.” noted Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt.
“We believe the health and success of both member clubs and public golf facilities is critical to the future of the game.” he concluded.
The PGA of Australia has also partnered with the Forum was part of their ongoing effprts to educate their members and enhance golf business performance in Australia. Parks Leisure Australia, Australian Golf Course Superintendents’ Association and Society of Australian Golf Course Architects have all committed to support the Forum.
What to expect at the Forum
Featuring a single theatre with a combination of key-note speaker, guest speaker and all-panel discussions, Golf Business Forum 2016 will deliver relevant and focused educational content in a format not seen before in the industry. A networking function will bring together delegates, industry leaders and sponsors to foster the connections that ensure engagement continues well beyond the event.
The two-day event will be held on the doorstep of Melbourne’s CBD at the Melbourne Park Function Centre. An exhibition space will feature leading industry suppliers and facilitate small-scale workshops as well as work and meeting spaces.
Leading industry participants and content-specialists from inside and outside the golf industry will discuss the issues facing today’s golf business, including:
Sport and golf-specific participation trends and initiatives
Customer engagement and building loyalty
Marketing, pricing and managing your presence online
Retail best practice and competing with the off-course and online retailers
The future of the game and how we can help grow golf in all its forms
Case studies of successful operations and business models will be highlighted, including Moore Park Golf in Sydney, Yarra Bend Golf in Melbourne, and Wembley Golf Complex in Perth.
Feature presenters confirmed to date include Lodewijk Klootwijk (Chief Executive of the European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA)), Jay Karen (new CEO of the USA National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA)), Tony Hallam (Chairman – Yarra Bend Golf), Kim Ellis (CEO – Centennial Parklands – Moore Park Golf), Paul Fairweather (Deputy GM Research & Information – Australian Sports Commission) and Danny Bowerin (Senior Strategy Consultant – Repucom). More announcements regarding feature presenters will continue in 2016.
Stay in touch
Keep up to date with event’s latest news at golfbusinessforum.com.au or connect via LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/golf-business-forum and Twitter twitter.com/golfbizforum – make sure to use #golfbiz2016.
Registration for the Golf Business Forum will open in early 2016 and delegates should visit the website now to ensure they receive alerts of pre-release opportunities
Fast facts
First ever gathering of key decision makers within golf facilities servicing the public golfer
2-day event – Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 July 2016 at the Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct
200+ attendees from across Australia
Delegates from public-access golf facilities together with industry leaders,industry sponsors and exhibitors
Education from leading experts on topics crucial to modern golf business
Innovative exhibition floor with multiple vendor displays and curated best-practice on display
Social and networking function to foster the connections in a fun and relaxedenvironment to ensure engagement continues well beyond the event
Sign-up at the event’s website for alerts regarding pre-release delegate tickets
Connect via social media with LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/golf-business- forum and Twitter twitter.com/golfbizforum – make sure to use #golfbiz2016
Sponsor and exhibition opportunities now available
Media enquiries:
Contact: Andrew Davies – Golf Business Forum
Street: Level 1, 33-37 Hotham Street, Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: +61 402 087 895
Email: andrew@golfbusinessforum.com.au
Twitter: twitter.com/golfbizforum
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/golf-business-forum Web: golfbusinessforum.com.au
