The 70th PGA Show offered a full schedule of diverse programming from the PGA of America in collaboration with golf organizations, business leaders, top coaches, players and architects at golf’s longest running and largest global business gathering, Jan. 24-27, in Orlando, Florida.
Headed by Michael Cooper, Senior Regional Golf Engagement Advisor with the USGA, a Diversity Roundtable and Forum convened on Wednesday, January 25, from 1pm-6pm in room W206B of the Orange County Convention Center.
Over 200 persons attended the information session where presenter discussed such topics as “Reflection: Re-igniting the movement,” lead by Michael Cooper and Steve Mona, (Director of Governance & Leadership at Club Benchmarking), “Recent DEI successes,” lead by Mark Lowry (Founder and President of The National Golf Player Development Foundation) and LaJean Gould (Founder, Women In Golf Foundation), Make Golf Your Thing overview, lead by Neera Shetty (PGA Tour) and Sandy Cross (PGA of America)
An interesting “HBCU Golf Consortium was held with overview and introductions by Craig Kirby (Founder, Golf. My Future. My Game), and other sessions benefitting the audience were “Jobs & Economic Opportunities discussion,” lead by Jim Beatty (AAGD Executive Editor and Founder, African American Golf EXPO & Forum) and Gina Rizzi, (Radius Communications), “Growing the Game discussion,” lead by Mark Lowry ((Founder and President of The National Golf Player Development Foundation) and Ashaunta Epps (President, LPGA’s Southeast Section).
A wrap-up of the program was followed by networking and hospitality (4:45pm-6pm).
Organized by the PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions, the PGA Show succeeded in bringing together thousands of PGA Professionals, golf leaders, industry executives and retailers from around the world who will source new products from nearly 800 golf and golf lifestyle brands, attend high-level industry presentations, participate in education and career workshops, and connect in person with peers and golf leaders to drive continued growth of the sport and the business of golf. The PGA Show began on Jan. 24 with the PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day at Orange County National Golf Center and moved over to the Orange County Convention Center, Jan. 25-27.
