ORLANDO, Fla. -- American golfers spend in excess of $26 billion per year on golf travel, according to the National Golf Foundation. How golf travel is impacted in the current economy and creative strategies to attract golf business will be the focus of The Business of Golf Travel 2009 presented by The Performance Golf Marketing Alliance (www.thepgma.com) on May 21, 2009 at the New York Athletic Club.

This timely and essential presentation will examine the future of golf travel and what can be expected over the next 18 months at all tiers of resorts and destinations. Target audiences include resort and golf club owners, top-level managers, directors of golf and other key industry leaders, as well as golf media, meeting planners and travel agents.

"This seminar is a 'must attend' for any executive involved in booking or marketing golf travel," said Peter Bonell, president of the PGmA. "The economy is certainly taking its toll on the golf travel business so we're pulling together the best minds in the business to offer some creative ideas and thought-provoking discussion."

Cost for the seminar is $395 per person, which includes one complimentary admission for a meeting planner. Additional guests from the same organization will pay $215 apiece. Each attendee will receive a copy of the "Current Golf Industry Outlook for 2009." Meeting planners or buyers may attend as a guest or may be sponsored.

The agenda for the day includes a presentation by Kirk Pagenkopf, Publisher of PGA Magazine, "Aggressive Strategies in a Challenging Golf Industry," a luncheon presentation by Ron Sirak, Executive Editor, Golf World Magazine and Senior Writer for Golf Digest on the upcoming U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage State Park (Black Course) and a panel discussion with Pagenkopf, Jim Kahn, Golf Digest Publications; Vince Alonzo, Editor-in-Chief, Successful Meetings/Meeting News; Peter Bonell, PGmA; and Bob Prewitt, Hospitality Industry Marketing Specialist, Dana Communications. Karen Moraghan of Hunter Public Relations & Special Events will serve as moderator.

Among the PGmA's services are golf marketing program audits (P.A.R. - Performance Assessment Reports), marketing and business development seminars, media relations, golf promotional event management, media relations, golf marketing co-op programs, strategic global marketing services and the annual release of a comprehensive industry survey, "Selling & Marketing Golf Travel."

For additional information on the THE BUSINESS OF GOLF TRAVEL 2009 or Performance Golf Marketing Alliance, access the web site at www.thepgma.com or call 407/952-9951.

Media Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
908/876-5100
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com