70th PGA Show buoyed by return of golf industry’s big hitters

POSTED ON January 30, 2023 @ 5:43 pm

The 70^th edition of the PGA Show, the global golf industry’s annual gathering at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida, gets underway today (Jan 25).

Last year’s PGA Show, which followed the pandemic-influenced all-virtual show in January 2021, featured just over 600 exhibitors and was devoid of most of the biggest names in golf equipment and apparel, including Titleist/FootJoy, Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra/Puma, Ping, Cleveland/Srixon, Peter Millar and Travis Mathew.

But this year’s show sees exhibitor numbers bounce back to well over 800, with nearly all the major brands present, most notably Titleist/FootJoy, Callaway, Cleveland/Srixon, Cobra/Puma, Ping, Bridgestone Golf, Mizuno, Skechers, Peter Millar, TopGolf and Bushnell. The only glaring absence is TaylorMade.

“We look forward to attending the 2023 PGA Show and reconnecting with our partners and the golf community,” said Peter Broome, senior vice president, Titleist brand management and industry Relations, Acushnet Company. “The PGA Show continues to evolve and provides our Titleist and FootJoy brands a forum to strengthen partner relationships, offer educational opportunities, and showcase our exciting new products. The timing of this important industry gathering sets the tone for the year, and we look forward to returning to Orlando once again.”

With the increase in exhibitor numbers, the PGA Show moves back to a full show floor after using a smaller footprint last year. There are also several special events, including a fashion show on Wednesday evening; a screening of the new film “The Long Game” – and appearances by its actors, including Dennis Quaid – on Thursday.

The show will also see special appearances from a number of leading tour professionals and legends of the game, including current US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, Zach Johnson, Brad Faxon, Butch Harmon, Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, K.H. Lee, Paul McGinley, Brooke Henderson, Lexi Thompson, Danielle Kang, Annika Sorenstam and Stacy Lewis.

One new addition to this year’s show is the Career Zone, which will allow college students and second-career professionals to connect with employers from various companies, including Acushnet, NBC Sports, the National Golf Sales Association, PGA of America, Troon and USGA. The zone also will host employer-led panel presentations and networking events.

“Like many in our global golf community, I can’t wait to return to Orlando to launch a new year for the business of golf and meet with peers during our industry’s most significant business event and the largest annual gathering of PGA professionals,” PGA of America president John Lindert said. “PGA Show week represents a key opportunity for us all to experience and source the latest innovations, develop our professional networks, share best practices, enhance our knowledge through the education platform and connect in person. Our professional community, the sport and business of golf are always better from our industry-wide collaboration at the PGA Show.”