PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- More than 41,000 industry professionals from all 50 U.S. states and 74 countries came to the 56th PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 29-31 in Orlando, Fla., to uncover the latest products and trends, write new business, share business best practices and strategize for the year ahead. The results found the industry's most influential business leaders pleasantly surprised by the resiliency of the golf industry and recharged to navigate a predicted tough economy in 2009.

Refusing to let the recession cast a shadow over the golf industry, the 56th PGA Merchandise Show saw only a 4.53% decline in attendance by PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders who came to see the latest products of 1,100 golf manufacturers in 1.1 million gross square feet of interactive exhibit space of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). PGA Merchandise Show days also were jam packed with indoor and outdoor product testing, more than 70 education seminars, special events and programs at the PGA Equipment Forum and new Fashion Gallery, plus celebrity appearances, networking events and the introduction of several industry growth of the game initiatives.

"Our goal was to create an event that would help energize the golf industry as it goes forward in 2009, and judging by the strong traffic on the Show floor, the reports of orders being written, and the business relationships being made, it seems the business of golf is off to a fine start for 2009," said Ed Several, PGA Shows Group Vice President. "The PGA Merchandise Show this week certainly underscores the resiliency of the golf industry and speaks to the industry's commitment to growing the game under all circumstances. New innovative products, fresh approaches to business in this economy and programs such as Get Golf Ready, show that golf is continuing to press forward."

All of golf's top names in manufacturing built an electric atmosphere at this year's PGA Merchandise Show. On the hard goods side, Titleist and Cobra returned with a big presence on the show floor, at Demo Day and with the well-attended Titleist Experience programs in the OCCC Chapin Auditorium. Callaway Golf, exhibiting for the 26th consecutive year, drew a standing-room only crowd for their PGA Equipment Forum presentation with LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam and the debut of much-anticipated new products in their booth. And, PING kicked off its 50th anniversary with a memorable birthday celebration, compelling product introductions and an exciting presentation with LPGA star Lorena Ochoa.

"We're excited to be back at the PGA Merchandise Show," said Peter Broome, Titleist Vice President of Business Partnerships. "Many people have asked us during the past month why we chose to return to the Show. First, we welcome the opportunity to showcase our products and meet face to face with so many of our customers. Plus, we feel it is important to participate in the largest gathering of the golf industry as a major stakeholder in the industry."

From the new Fashion Gallery anchoring the apparel section to the Equipment Test Center and Indoor Demo Days, the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show was bustling with business.

"There seems to be a very positive vibe at the Show this year, despite the economy," noted PGA Professional Keith Bach of Players Golf Academy, Hilton Head Island, S.C. "I've been coming to the Show for the past 10 or more years, and this is as good or better than any in recent memory. I was happy to see how crowded the Show was today (Thursday). It just proves that the golf industry is strong. People still want to play golf, and the Orlando Show remains the best place to see everything in golf under one roof."

The new Fashion Gallery was busy daily with presentations by top apparel brands and up-and-coming designers including Ian Poulter Designs, Boo Weekley by Firethorn, PUMA and many more. Additionally, the Fashion Gallery stage drew crowds for presentations such as "The Future of Women's Golf, sponsored by Nike," the "LPGA's National Ambassadors Announcement" and daily "Elements of Style Presentations by fashion specialists Annmarie Dodd and Argy Koutsothanasis." The soft goods section of the Show floor saw crowded aisles, standing-room only special events like the annual Ahead hat drop and multiple presentations and receptions during the evenings to extend their time with influential retailers.

"The PGA Merchandise Show is an important writing Show for us, and it looks like our people will write the same amount of business as we did last year, which is encouraging," said John Kawaja, executive vice president for TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company. "The people who are here (at the Show) are here to do business, which is the reason we had a good Show."

"I don't know if anyone knows exactly what will happen with the economy, but the golf industry will endure," said Kawaja, who oversaw the addition of the Ashworth band to the adidas family at the '09 PGA Show. "I think every industry in America is in for a tough first quarter, but in April when the sun comes out and is shining, the core golfers will return and continue to play the game. There will be an asterisk to this year, but at the end of the day, golf will be OK. Golfers still want to play and they will spend. Those PGA Professionals, golf facilities and golf companies who manage their businesses efficiently during the challenging times will be fine in the long term."

The PGA Merchandise Show is the world's largest and most influential golf business gathering and marketplace for the global golf industry. The 57th PGA Merchandise Show returns to Orlando, Jan. 28-30, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center. For additional 2009 PGA Show event information or to plan for 2010 participation, please visit www.PGAShow.com.

The PGA Merchandise Show, organized in partnership with The PGA of America, is one of three leading golf trade shows in PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions' golf portfolio including the PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas and the Ontario PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Toronto, Canada.