The Golf Industry Show returned to New Orleans Feb. 5-7, 2009, with an exciting display of the latest products and services available to the golf and club industries. Feedback from attendees and exhibitors in evaluating the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

Total attendance was 17,151, including 7,012 qualified buyers - those who can directly influence a purchase decision - and 765 exhibitors covered 257,900 square feet of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center's trade show floor.

"In just five years the Golf Industry Show has taken hold as a must-attend event," show officials noted. "The feedback we receive continues to be positive. Attendees and exhibitors appreciate the team approach we promote and the enhancements we make to increase the event's value. We look forward to next year's show in San Diego, the formal addition of the USGA, and the format change that will be so beneficial to everyone involved in the event."

The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. The event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners, operators, club managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders to form one of the largest trade shows in North America.

The Golf Industry Show is presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), along with participating partners Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). The three presenting partner organizations also hold their annual conferences in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) will join the Golf Industry Show beginning in 2010 as a participating partner.

In addition to the inclusion of the USGA, the Golf Industry Show will follow a different format in 2010. Based on feedback from attendees and exhibitors, the schedule will be modified so that all events (education conferences and trade show) are held on weekdays. Responding to member and exhibitor desires to preserve more of their weekends, the trade show portion of the event will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 10-11), with virtually no competing events. GCSAA and NGCOA education will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

The Golf Industry Show Silent Auction generated more than $100,000. Proceeds support environmental stewardship programs, including research and education to strengthen the compatibility of the game of golf with the natural environment. Additional proceeds go toward player development programs, grants and scholarships to advance the club management industry, and providing young people the opportunity to learn golf and the life values the game of golf represents. The Silent Auction was conducted by The Environmental Institute for Golf (the philanthropic organization of GCSAA), the National Golf Course Owners Association Foundation, The Club Foundation, The Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation and the American Society of Golf Course Architects. A few items that did not receive bids are available for purchase by contacting The Institute team at 800-472-7878.

The Golf Industry Show sent almost 200 volunteers to help New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity build eight houses in the Jefferson Parish and Central City sections of New Orleans. The show partners and volunteers also donated more than $10,000 to help in the restoration.

For more information contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA Managing Director of Marketing and Communications, 800-472-7878, ext. 4430
Joe Rice, NGCOA Chief Marketing Officer, 800-933-4262, ext. 222
Gerry Romano, CMAA Senior Director of Communications, 703-739-9500
Paul Foley, GCBAA Executive Director, 402-476-4444
Chad Ritterbusch, ASGCA Executive Director, 262-786-5960
Joe Beditz, NGF President/CEO, 561-744-6006
Dave Fanucchi, USGA Director of Communications and Public Relations, 908-234-2300