Early in 2017, a group of golf industry people met at the Golf Australia office, coffees in hand and pens at the ready. The working group, made up of Golf Business Forum sponsors, delegates and industry association representatives, had a job to do: reflect on the inaugural Golf Business Forum in 2016 and shape the key themes for the 2018 event.

With a collective critical eye, the group pooled their individual perspectives and the Golf Business Forum 2018 themes and focus began to take shape. Organisers Guy Chapple and Andrew Davies are grateful for the time contributed by the group over several meetings and have combined those results with other feedback received to begin the process of curating content for the event.

The first six speakers were announced this month and representatives from leading facilities Adelaide Shores and Curlewis Golf Club are included in the initial lineup. “Last year, the delegate audience responded really well to the experiences shared by Wembley Golf and Moore Park Golf,” Davies explained. “We’re pleased to continue that theme and provide our delegates with some case studies to inspire them to look at their own businesses in a different way.”

As previously announced, delegates will hear about Topgolf’s plans for Australia, direct from international COO Zach Shor. Delegates will also pick up handy tips from retail guru Ian James, and hear from Bec Brideson on best practice for marketing to women. Keynote speaker and author Chris Helder has been engaged to bring his unique insights into human potential, leadership and mastering the face-to-face customer experience.

Last month special pre-release delegate passes have been made available to delegates who attended the inaugural 2016 Forum, with best-available rates for the 2018 event. Early-bird delegate passes will go on sale early in 2018, available to all golf industry participants.

www.golfbusinessforum.com.au