PGA Media Center

Industry's Most Respected Experts Will Present In-Depth Seminars at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show Education Conference

Many of golf's leading subject matter experts will present instruction, leadership and player development seminars in the PGA Merchandise Show's redesigned PGA Education Conference, Jan. 24-26, in Orlando, Fla.

Proven leaders such as Dr. Gary Wiren, Donna Orender, Michael Breed, Lynn Marriott, and Pia Nilsson to share expertise;
conference early registration savings available through Dec. 3, 2012

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Many of the golf's most respected subject matter experts and industry stakeholders are coming to the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 24-26, in Orlando, Fla., to present in-depth 60-minute seminars on instruction, leadership and player development in the redesigned PGA Education Conference. Early PGA Education Conference registration savings are available online through Dec. 3, 2012, at www.pgashow.com.

"This is a completely new approach to educational opportunities at the PGA Merchandise Show," said Dawes Marlatt, PGA director of education. "We've streamlined the content into three core tracks to provide in-depth content and the very best in education from proven professionals and industry stakeholders. Each setting will provide knowledge, insights and best practices that can be implemented immediately to advance careers and the business of golf."

PGA Merchandise Show educational offerings begins with new Instructional Workshops during the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Orange County National Golf Center near Orlando. The PGA Education Conference is offered on Thursday, Jan. 24, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and Friday, Jan. 25, 8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., at the Orange County Convention Center. A new Fast Track Golf Industry Course will be offered on Friday morning, Jan. 25, at the convention center. Also, merchandising seminars will be offered by the Association of Golf Merchandisers within the PGA Education Conference. PGA Professionals receive 1 PGA Education MSR Credit per completed PGA Education Conference seminar; 3 PGA Education MSR Credits each per completed instructional workshop and Fast Track course. Details on all PGA Merchandise Show educational offerings are available at www.pgashow.com.

The three core tracks of the PGA Education Conference are:

Player Development – Seminars will focus on current and new player development programs to attract more people of all ages to learn the game; to assist current golfers in meeting their personal performance desires; to build community relationships that share the welcoming, enjoyable, affordable and flexible options to play the game.
Instruction – Seminars will focus on strategies and tactics to provide instructional programs that are front-end evaluated for physical, emotional, and social goals of the customer; examine new instructional and coaching strategies for all types of learners and players; and review successful marketing and communication tactics.
Leadership – Seminars will focus on how to influence the facility team for gaining trust and inspiring the welcoming environment; creating an environment of "being" not just "doing" for a "life system" that attracts participation; becoming a calibrator of responsibility and accountability that embodies simplicity yet sophistication.

PGA Education Conference Schedule at a Glance:
(updated regularly at pgashow.com)

Thursday, January 24
8:00-9:00	Instruction	Swing Symptoms and Solutions ~ David Donatucci, PGA National Institute of Performance
8:00-10:00	Player Development	Connecting with Her ~ Donna Orender, Suzy Whaley, PGA/LPGA
8:00-9:00	Leadership	Golf Course Insurance & Risk Management ~ Mark Konchan, Philadelphia Insurance
8:00-9:00	AGM	Looking to Build Sales & Motivate Staff? Dollar per Round is the Tool ~ Tracy Moffatt, AGM Education Team
9:15-11:15	Instruction	Knowledge of Learning & Turning Potential into Performance ~ Eric Alpenfels, PGA; Dr. Bob Christina; Dr. Paul Schempp
9:15-10:15	Leadership	Transformational Leadership~ Dawes M. Marlatt Jr., PGA
9:15-10:15	AGM	Choosing the Right Vendors for the Right Reasons ~ Becky Wilkins, AGM Education Team
10:30-11:30	Player Development	Integrated Sales Techniques with Social Media ~ Richard Brasser, PGA
10:30-11:30	Leadership	Environmental Issues: "A Green Initiative" ~ Bill Hughes, PGA
11:45-12:45	Instruction	PGA Sports Academy Building Blocks ~ Bob Baldassari, PGA
11:45-12:45	Player Development	Maximizing Value with Your Private Social Network ~ Richard Brasser, PGA
11:45-12:45	Leadership	Future Trends and Issues: A Private Club's Management Perspective ~ Mike Leemhuis, PGA
11:45-12:45	AGM	How is Your Golf Retail Operation Performing? Key Industry Benchmarks for Analysis & Growth ~ Tracy Moffatt, AGM Education Team
11:45-12:45	AGM	Gambling with Your Inventory? Win, Lose, Draw? ~ Becky Wilkins, AGM Education Team
1:00–2:00	Instruction	How to Create Revenue and Add Value to Your Facility through Fitness ~ Dave Phillips, TPI; Lance Gill, Head Athletic Trainer; Marc Berry, Life Fitness
Friday, January 25
8:00-11:00	Fast Track	Critical Industry Overview of Future Trends for Career & Success Planning
8:00-9:00	Instruction	Teaching Different Populations ~ Warren Bottke, PGA
8:00-9:00	Player Development	Marketing & Merchandising Ideas for the Public Golf Course ~ Dale Smigelsky, PGA, 2012 PGA Merchandiser of the Year-Public Facility
8:00-9:00	Leadership	How to Analyze & Evaluate a Golf Facility Acquisition ~ Gary Dee, PGA
8:00-9:00	AGM	Motivating Without Money ~ Sheryl Bindelglass, AGM Education Team
9:15-10:15	Instruction	Peak Performance Practice for Skill Development ~ Lynn Marriott, PGA/LPGA; Pia Nilsson, Vision54
9:15-10:15	Player Development	Being Successful in the Golf Business ~ James Cronk, The Cronk Group
9:15-10:15	Leadership	How to become a GM as a PGA Professional ~ Brent Krause, PGA
9:15-10:15	AGM	Is Your Pricing Strategy Costing You Profit? Take Another Look at Your Mark-Up ~ Tracy Moffatt, AGM Education Team
10:30-12:30	Leadership	The Motivation Factor: Understanding What Drives the Golfer and Your Staff to Increase Business ~ Rick Sessinghaus Psy.D, PGA
10:30-11:30	Player Development	Creating Five-Star Customer Service-How Well are your Customers Treated? ~ Cary Cavitt, PGA
10:30-11:30	Instruction	The Success Triangle for Golf-Six Winning Factors of the Body, Mind and Swing ~ Dr. Gary Wiren, PGA
10:30-11:30	AGM	Visual Merchandising-Tips from the Top ~ Becky Wilkins, AGM Education Team
11:45-12:45	Instruction	Golf Instruction for Individuals with Disabilities ~ Judy Alvarez, PGA/LPGA
11:45-12:45	Player Development	eCommerce Made Easy-The Pro Shops by PGA Trade-In Network +eBay ~ Leigh Bader, PGA
11:45-12:45	AGM	Top 10 Tips to Increase Sales & Profits ~ Sheryl Bindelglass, AGM Education Team
1:00-2:00	Instruction	Exhibit Your Instructional Skills With Creativity ~ Kevin Compare, PGA
1:00-2:00	Player Development	Making it Fun for Golfers of any Age or Ability ~ Judy Alvarez, PGA/LPGA
1:00-2:00	Leadership	Financing the NEW Golf Marketplace-Reflect the Changes ~ Jim Riscigno, CEO, Club Specialists Intl.
2:15-3:15	Instruction	Putting Skills & Techniques ~ Michael Breed, PGA, 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year
2:15-3:15	Player Development	Health, Wellness & Golf, Engage the Entire Family ~ Bob Baldassari, PGA
2:15-3:15	Leadership	Managing Projects ~ Larry Ross, Ph.D.

Education Conference Registration
Early bird pricing for early registration is available through Dec. 3, 2012. Additional savings are available for packaging multiple Education Conference programs. Pricing details and online registration is available at pgashow.com.

PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit
The 13th PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit also will be offered during PGA Show week, Jan. 21-22, at the Orange County Convention Center. As The PGA of America's largest educational event, the Summit attracts international teaching professionals from around the world to its biennial teaching symposium featuring the finest golf instructors in the land sharing their proven teaching methods. The Summit will be held indoors for the first time in several years within a large interactive driving range and teaching area inside the convention center. PGA Professionals may learn more information and register at PGALinks.com.

About the 60th PGA Merchandise Show
The 60th PGA Merchandise Show, held Jan. 24-26, 2013, in Orlando, Fla., will welcome some 1,000 top golf companies and brands and more than 40,000 industry professionals from around the world to the industry's annual global summit for the business of golf. The PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day, the world's largest professional golf testing event, will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Orange County National Golf Center. During Show days, PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders will uncover the latest trends, source the newest golf merchandise, test the latest equipment, learn proven business best practices, network among peers and move forward the business of the game. Organized in partnership with The PGA of America as a trade-only event, the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show will be held in the Orange County Convention Center ~ 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Jan. 24-25; and 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Jan. 26. For more information, visit pgashow.com.

Contact:
PGA Merchandise Show: Sherry Major, (716) 662-3855, smajor@reedexpo.com
PGA of America: Jamie Carbone, (561) 624-8446, jcarbone@pgahq.com