ORLAND, Fla. -- Golfweek, The PGA of America and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions announced that Golfweek's Golfest Orlando will kick off a week long series of events leading up to and including the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show.

Golfest, a three-year old consumer event organized by the Orlando-based golf weekly, will take place January 21 and 22 at the Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge in Orlando, Fla. The event typically hosts thousands of golfers to experience a fun-filled weekend of golf entertainment.

"Golfweek is excited about the addition of Golfest Orlando as an official event of the PGA Merchandise Show week,” said Golfweek’s Communications Director Al Snow. "We are looking forward to working with The PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions on bringing together golf equipment manufacturers, PGA of America Professionals, industry leaders and golf consumers for what will be the “Ultimate Golf Week!"

"The PGA of America is pleased to join PGA Golf Exhibitions in welcoming Golfweek's Golfest to PGA Merchandise Show week," said PGA President Roger Warren. "The attention of the golf industry is clearly focused on the trade show and Golfest will now provide the general public an opportunity to share in the celebration of all aspects of golf this week."

"Golfweek's Golfest is an ideal addition to the growing number of events held throughout the week of the PGA Merchandise Show," said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President and Show Manager Ed Several. "For years, we have been considering a consumer element to our annual industry gathering and Golfest fulfills a desire by consumers to preview and test merchandise during golf's largest gathering of manufacturers."

Golfweek's Golfest is a series of ten consumer golf lifestyle festivals held throughout the country and offers golfers the opportunity to try and buy the latest equipment from major golf brands; improve their skills in free golf clinics, meet celebrities and Tour players; watch long-drive demonstrations; participate in games, contests and drawings; and preview products and services representative of resorts, golf communities, instructional aids, golf accessories, health and more. Where the other nine Golfest events draw consumers regionally, Golfest Orlando has a more national focus. In 2005 consumers from 16 states attended Golfest Orlando, and in 2006 people can take advantage of the Golfest Getaway package that includes accommodations in Orlando, rounds of golf and complimentary passes to Golfest Orlando.

The PGA Merchandise Show, organized by a partnership of The PGA of America and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions, is the world's oldest and most influential gathering of golf's business leaders from around the world. More than 40,000 PGA Professionals, golf buyers and industry leaders converge in Orlando each January to preview the latest products and services from more than 1,200 exhibitors; test new products in golf demonstration events; attend education workshops; participate in key business meetings; network with fellow professionals, recognize industry award winners and compete in PGA Member tournaments. The 2006 PGA Merchandise Show is scheduled for Jan. 26-29 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., with additional Show activities scheduled in Orlando throughout the week of the Show.

For more information on Golfweek's Golfest or the Golfest Getaway, please visit www.golfest.com or call 407-563-7000.