By Roger Graves

Embracing the theme "Earn, Learn & Grow the Game," golf-industry professionals from around the globe gather amid a new aura of optimism and a litany of new programs, conferences and activities at the Orange County Convention Center today to officially ring in the new year, ring in a new business cycle, and ring in three days of buying, selling, testing, networking, educating and enjoying everything golf at the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show.

The fresh, new look of the 54th PGA Merchandise Show is exemplified by the new gateway at the main entrance to the Exhibition Hall, replete with plasma screens and large signage promoting daily activities. Golf-style starter's stands at each entrance featuring starters decked out in bright, yellow hats also greet more than 43,000 attendees from 75 countries and an all-star lineup of 1,250 exhibitors.

The "new" look of the 2007 Show includes new exhibition hours - 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, and extends to a series of new summits, conferences and special features built around daily themes designed to help industry professionals build business, enhance careers and expand game-development programs.

The new PGA Equipment Forum, an interactive platform for PGA of America equipment partners anchored by Callaway Golf, TaylorMade Golf and Srixon, joins the new PGA Golf Shop: Merchandising & Design Center presented by Bauer International, the new PGA Short Game Testing Center, and the new PGA Teacher of the Year Lunchtime Lessons as centerpiece attractions on the Show floor in 2007. Multiple daily Fashion Fairway shows, more hitting bays at the popular indoor Equipment Test Center, a redesigned PGA Magazine Travel Pavilion, an expanded New Product Center (sponsored by Puttalite), the PGA Employment Center, and the PGA Sponsors and Licensees Pavilion return to showcase specific products and services on the Show floor.

Upstairs in meeting rooms at the spacious Orange County Convention Center, the new "By the Professionals for the Professionals" Education Conference includes informative seminars each day taught by PGA and industry professionals tied to specific daily themes.

"Each day's activities at the 2007 Show are built around a specific theme to help industry professionals earn more, learn more and grow the game," says Ed Several, PGA Golf Exhibitions vice president and Show manager. "The objective is to provide programs for every type of industry professional in attendance."

Today's theme of "Emerging Global Trends & New Product Introductions" is punctuated by the inaugural PGA Global Economic Summit at 10 a.m. on the PGA Equipment Forum stage. On Friday, the theme "Retail Sell-Through, Merchandising & Career Advancement" is headlined by the first PGA Merchandisers of the Year Best Practices Roundtable at 10 a.m., featuring past private, public and resort Merchandisers of the Year sharing proven practices to promote retail sell-through. On Saturday, the theme "Play Golf America & Growing Your Teaching Business" includes the second annual Play Golf America Conference at 10 a.m. on the PGA Equipment Forum stage.

The Titleist Performance Institute will exhibit for the first time at the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show, and is joined by nearly 400 other companies new to the Show, many of which will be featured in the new "New Company Discovery Zone" on the Show floor. Many familiar exhibitors, including Callaway Golf for the 24th consecutive year, Nike Golf, Srixon, Cutter & Buck, MacGregor, Ahead, Ashworth, Tehama, Izod G, Gear For Sports, Bridgestone, and the Greg Norman Collection are teaming with TaylorMade Golf, adidas, Wilson, Bag Boy and a cast of more than 1,200 other companies to provide products designed to help all industry professionals build their businesses.

Large Demo Day crowds

The 2007 PGA Merchandise Show activities teed off yesterday during the fifth annual PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day amid a host of new features and programs at the 42-acre practice facility at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge in Winter Haven, Fla. More than 80 equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies welcomed 4,000-plus industry professionals to the world's largest outdoor golf testing laboratory.

A special appearance by Greg Norman during MacGregor Golf's breakfast and technical presentation for PGA Professionals set the stage for a highly productive, informative Demo Day presented by PGA Magazine and PGA Golf Exhibitions, and sponsored by Yamaha and Aldila, Inc. Putter designer Bobby Grace of MacGregor also hosted an informative presentation.

"A Demo Day of this scope is a great idea. When it comes down to determining which clubs perform the best, it's all about ball flight and testing technology outdoors," said Michael Wilson, PGA Professional at Breckenridge (Colo.) Golf Club.

Much of the Demo Day buzz centered around new square-shaped and other drivers by Callaway Golf, Nike Golf, TaylorMade Golf, Srixon, MacGregor, Bridgestone, Mizuno, and several other manufacturers.

"Getting product in the hands of PGA Professionals and industry buyers is the most effective way to demonstrate new equipment," said Chris Mike, director of marketing for Nike Golf.

Several "skills" contests proved popular Wednesday, including the Gel Groove Putting Challenge for Demo Day participants. The new Softspikes Cleat Changing Challenge pitted the cleat-changing skills of PGA and industry professionals against a professional race-car pit crew. Almost Golf hosted a hole-in-one contest, with $10,000 awarded to anyone making an ace in the finals after daylong qualifying.

The 120 hitting bays, three practice greens and demonstration area were made easier to navigate by a new 36-page "Guide to the 2007 Demo Day".