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2008 Golf Industry Show Overview
(Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2008) Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida Presenting Partners: GCSAA, NGCOA and CMAA
by Kristie Irvin, RRP
Account Manager The Trades Publishing Co.
The Trades Publishing Company
This was a brand new experience for me! I have not yet attended a GIS (Golf Industry Show) and BOY, what a show it was. The exhibit hall held booths from Isle 100 all the way to Isle 5,200. The exhibits themselves were something to see. There were Segways, Smartcars, Harley Davidson golfcarts by M & M vehicle, and Farmlink’s giant Steer !!!
Amongst the exhibitors were big names such as John Deere, Toro, Rain Bird, Georgia Bridge and Dock, JR Simplot, Profile, Ariens, OASE,
Vantage Vehicle, Sub Air Sytems, Advanced Drainage Systems/Hancor and Club Car.
I was sweetly surprised at the exhibitors that were there in the Club House Management side. They incorporated Isles 100 – 1200. These companies all crossed-over into the Resort/Hospitality side of things as well. The CMAA President is Linda Carroll, CCM and Vice President Peter Homberg, CCM. The CMAA is the professional association for managers of membership clubs. CMAA has more than 7,000 members who manage more than 3,000 country, golf, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs. Visit www.cmaa.org for more information.
I was excited to visit some of my advertisers at their booth: Oreck, WTS, Sico, KD Canopy (adversiters in our Golf Course Trades publication), Cherrington, and watch for Harbor Linens as they will have a booth at ARDA this year. (photos on next page)
The first day of the show opened with a General Session lead by Master storyteller Doug Keeley on the topic of THE MARK OF A LEADER. The program is a treasure chest of inspiring stories about the world’s greatest leaders and brands and the principle that have made them successful. They cover virtually every aspect of life, ranging from Appleâ to Starbucksâ, Roger Bannister to The Beatles, Sir Winston Churchhill to Oprah, Chicken Soup for the Soul to Cirque Du Soleil, golf to music.
Following the opening session speaker Rob Morton talked on “Taking the Golf Experience to the Next Level” brought in by the Disney Institute. This was a completely interactive presentation designed to buildup teamwork concepts. As quoted by Walt Disney himself – “You don’t build it for yourself. You know what the people want and you build it for them”.
Following the show in Orlando, The Golf Course Trades premiered the new monthly "stimpmeter" superintendent article, in it's March issue, which is written solely by the superintendents themselves. On hand at The Trades booth was Mary Watkins, the Chief Operating Officer/General Manager at "Hunters Run Country Club" in Boynton Beach, FL, who discussed the team working environment of both the Manager and Superintendent, for the common good of the club.
While visited Orlando, FL – I had the pleasure of making arrangements to have a wonderful dinner and a toast at Timpano’s Chophouse on Sand Lakes. This was a restaurant visited every year that ARDA was in Orlando with my dear friend, the late Jack Richardson. We always enjoyed the OUTSTANDING mussels. If ever in Orlando make plans to have mussels at Timpano’s. www.timpanochophouse.net. Here are Len Magaraci, Cindy Murdock (with the Golf Course Trades publication) my General Manager, David Kerr and myself having a toast TO JACK!
As a group we also had the experience of the Medivial Times dinner and entertainment the last night in Orlando. What a fun time with great food (eating with the fingers though)... a fantastic show and fun with co-workers and friends.
Next years Golf Industry Show is scheduled for Feb. 5-7 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Visit www.golfindustryshow.com for more information on how to be there next year!!!