Fashion show and networking party cap busy first day at PGA Fashion & Demo Experience

LAS VEGAS – A strong showing of PGA Professionals, golf buyers and industry leaders sourced the newest golf merchandise across comprehensive exhibits, participated in national level education programs and enjoyed an exciting night of fashion and networking at TAO Nightclub on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the 2019 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. 

 

“This year’s PGA Show in Las Vegas really has a fresh feel to it; there are a lot of new events, and the show floor, education seminars, fashion show and the Demo Night seem to be re-energized this year,” said PGA Professional Eric Romero of Twin Dolphin Golf Club in Los Cabos, Mexico. "It's going to be a very busy two days of business in Las Vegas for me."

 

The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience continues with exhibits, additional education programs, and hands-on product testing on Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. PDT, at the Venetian, and at Topgolf Las Vegas for the PGA Demo Experience and Closing Reception, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

 

Golf industry professionals and apparel buyers may register onsite.  The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is held simultaneous to Las Vegas Fashion Week trade shows and apparel buyers may register at no cost with their Fashion Week trade show badge.  The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is not open to the general public.  Further registration details are available at PGALasVegas.com.  

 

Highlights of Tuesday, Aug. 13

 

Exhibits:

On Tuesday, PGA Professionals and golf buyers filled the aisles of the Palazzo Ballroom in search of the newest merchandise for their members and customers among some of the best brands in golf.  Fashion took on a special focus as top apparel and accessory brands took advantage of Las Vegas Fashion Week and the annual golf gathering to showcase their newest collections.

 

One apparel brand newcomer was Yaffa Activewear, which produces super-lightweight women's apparel with lab-tested Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50 to effectively block 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays.

 

“Our activewear is designed to keep you cool and comfy while protecting you from the sun, but we don't compromise functionality or form for fashion," said Laura Preskin, CEO of Yaffa Activewear of Scarsdale, New York. "Our fabric also resists chlorine, so you can even swim in it if you like. It's a great fabric for swimming, golf or tennis. The response at the Las Vegas PGA Show has been extremely positive. The traffic has been great, and we're forming a lot of new relationships in the golf community."

 

Yaffa Activewear joined veteran golf manufacturers, established brands, up-and-coming designers and entrepreneurs who were among the nearly 200 exhibiting companies and brands showing their newest merchandise to interested buyers looking for the perfect mix of popular, trending and new products.

 

“The PGA Las Vegas Show is all about connecting with PGA Professionals and people in the golf community, telling our story, and showing our highest-grade leather headcovers and bags to new clients," said Todd Bishop, co-founder of Dormie Workshop. "This is an ideal show for us, because we can take time to discuss special orders and special projects with current and prospective clients. It has been highly beneficial for us from a networking and new-client perspective."

 

Technology Forum & Education Conference

Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), led two technology panel programs to improve customer engagement through golf entertainment technology and to boost customer spending and engagement utilizing facility management technology.

 

"Through the Technology Forum, we are trying to encourage PGA Professionals and facility owners to utilize the latest technologies to generate new revenue opportunities," said Jay Karen, CEO of the Golf Courses Owners Association of America. "I'm bullish on technology in the golf business because there is so much potential. Most people are using only five percent of the technology available to them, so if we can convince our front-end users to utilize even 30 percent, that represents a significant increase in revenue-generation, and everyone benefits."

 

PGA Professionals also took advantage of a full schedule of education sessions on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience.  The Education Conference offered more than 20 classroom sessions focusing on teaching and coaching, golf operations and executive management. 

 

"I've attended the education seminars in Las Vegas the past several years, and they seem to get better every year," said Courtney Watson, PGA Professional at Mesa Country Club in Chandler, Arizona. "The seminars are also a great opportunity to network with experts in the industry after each classroom session."

 

Fashion Show & Networking Party at TAO Nightclub

The evening concluded with the PGA Fashion Show & Industry Party takeover of TAO Nightclub, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Many of the latest golf lifestyle collections by the industry’s top designers came to life on the runway with music provided by the TAO Nightclub DJ and emceed by Golf Channel’s Bailey Mosier.  Live Fashion Show participating brands included: 2UNDR, Callaway Golf Apparel, Chervo S.p.A., Daily Sports, IFGfit, Jofit, Naughty Boy Golf Wear, Original Penguin, Straight Down Clothing Co, Swing Pretty, TZU TZU Sport and Under Armour.

 

“Great party, great fashion show and great music,” is how PGA Professional Janet Evans of Chandler, Arizona, described the TAO Nightclub event. “That’s what makes coming to the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience in Las Vegas so special. The extra events at night this year are really cool and gives everyone a chance to unwind.”

 

Golf enthusiasts may follow all the action of new product introductions, industry announcements, celebrity appearances and special events at PGALasVegas.com; with reports at PGA.com and in Golf Channel news programming during Morning Drive and Golf Central and at GolfChannel.com.  Additionally, all the action will be covered extensively on PGA Golf Shows social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

PGA Fashion & Demo Experience Schedule of Events, Aug.14

Exhibits 

The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

View the full Exhibitor Directory at PGALasVegas2019.com/exhibitors.  

 

Complimentary Technology Forum 

The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Technology Best Practices in Teaching and Coaching Golf

 

Education Conference 

The Venetian, Level 4 Meeting Rooms | 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  

Detailed education conference information at PGALasVegas2019.com/education.  

 

PGA Demo Experience & Closing Reception 

Topgolf Las Vegas | 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.