Post by Richie3Jack on Jan 3, 2014 10:45:33 GMT -5
The 2014 PGA Merchandise Show comes to Atlanta on January 22 thru January 25.
The first day is the 'unofficial' Demo Day. Then the show is at the Orange County Convention Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
I plan on taking Wednesday and Thursday off from work. That is unless the weather is crappy on Wednesday. There's no sense in me going to an outdoor Demo Day if the weather sucks.
Tuesday night is scheduled for the big 'open discussion' from the Golf Biomechanists and Teaching Professionals group on Facebook. They are still working out a place to do it, but it sounds like this will be around an 8-hour event, ranging from 3pm to about 11pm and will be hosted by Chris Como, Nick Chertock and Michael Michalides. I will probably not show up to this until 5pm or so if that is the case.
Wednesday is the Demo Day which is something to behold. The driving range at Orange County National is the largest in North America. It goes around in a circle and has several putting and chipping/bunker greens all around the range. You will see tents placed every spot you can find on the range. Puma Golf creates an indoor area and have a DJ with turntables.
Demo Day is really 'fun day' for me. I try out clubs, maybe ask a few questions. And if I see something I like, I will wait until Thursday to ask them at the convention center. After that, there is a 'Tweet Up' of golf professionals and like minded at the Brickhouse Tavern starting at 8 pm. The first tweet up I showed up about 30 minutes late and couldn't find a table. The 2nd tweet up I showed up about 5 minutes early and nobody was there. I guess I will get there when I get there. Typically the Tweet Up has been on Thursday, but they are doing it on Wednesday which I think is the better date.
That's because most people show up to the show and then leave Friday morning to head back home. I would imagine hanging out at the Brickhouse and then having to get up the next morning and check out of the hotel and then drive hours back home is tiresome. Thankfully, I don't know what that feels like
Last year the show was a big disappointment. 2011 Show was great. 2012 was weak but I figured that most companies were in the middle of their product cycle so that would explain the issues. Then in 2013 the show got worse. Even Titleist did not have their highly anticipated utility irons there. Scratch Golf was a no-show (and appears to be a no-show again). The only thing that was good about the show was the weather (gorgeous and in the low 80's on Demo Day).
I did learn that you really need to go to the show on Thursday. If you save for even Friday, so many people have already left by then. It's still a zoo, even on Saturday. But, the energy in the convention center has dropped off dramatically.
In order to go to the Demo Day, you really have to take the shuttle from the Convention Center otherwise drive to OCN at the butt-crack of morning and wait. As you walk thru the Convention Center you will see people setting up for the show and they will be working at a fever pitch from the time you show up to get on the shuttle to the time you come back to go back home. No thank you.
Anyway, I am in talks about doing some interviews for radio and internet about Pro Golf Synopsis. I plan on this year really getting to learn more about highly advanced technological devices used for instruction. Partially because Wishon and Edel Golf have spoiled me and wised me up about equipment where I start to see thru the marketing BS with new equipment. That and when I ask serious questions, most people have no clue what I'm talking about.
Anyway, looking forward to it. And I'll be there with my Air Flight 89's on.
3JACK
The first day is the 'unofficial' Demo Day. Then the show is at the Orange County Convention Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
I plan on taking Wednesday and Thursday off from work. That is unless the weather is crappy on Wednesday. There's no sense in me going to an outdoor Demo Day if the weather sucks.
Tuesday night is scheduled for the big 'open discussion' from the Golf Biomechanists and Teaching Professionals group on Facebook. They are still working out a place to do it, but it sounds like this will be around an 8-hour event, ranging from 3pm to about 11pm and will be hosted by Chris Como, Nick Chertock and Michael Michalides. I will probably not show up to this until 5pm or so if that is the case.
Wednesday is the Demo Day which is something to behold. The driving range at Orange County National is the largest in North America. It goes around in a circle and has several putting and chipping/bunker greens all around the range. You will see tents placed every spot you can find on the range. Puma Golf creates an indoor area and have a DJ with turntables.
Demo Day is really 'fun day' for me. I try out clubs, maybe ask a few questions. And if I see something I like, I will wait until Thursday to ask them at the convention center. After that, there is a 'Tweet Up' of golf professionals and like minded at the Brickhouse Tavern starting at 8 pm. The first tweet up I showed up about 30 minutes late and couldn't find a table. The 2nd tweet up I showed up about 5 minutes early and nobody was there. I guess I will get there when I get there. Typically the Tweet Up has been on Thursday, but they are doing it on Wednesday which I think is the better date.
That's because most people show up to the show and then leave Friday morning to head back home. I would imagine hanging out at the Brickhouse and then having to get up the next morning and check out of the hotel and then drive hours back home is tiresome. Thankfully, I don't know what that feels like
Last year the show was a big disappointment. 2011 Show was great. 2012 was weak but I figured that most companies were in the middle of their product cycle so that would explain the issues. Then in 2013 the show got worse. Even Titleist did not have their highly anticipated utility irons there. Scratch Golf was a no-show (and appears to be a no-show again). The only thing that was good about the show was the weather (gorgeous and in the low 80's on Demo Day).
I did learn that you really need to go to the show on Thursday. If you save for even Friday, so many people have already left by then. It's still a zoo, even on Saturday. But, the energy in the convention center has dropped off dramatically.
In order to go to the Demo Day, you really have to take the shuttle from the Convention Center otherwise drive to OCN at the butt-crack of morning and wait. As you walk thru the Convention Center you will see people setting up for the show and they will be working at a fever pitch from the time you show up to get on the shuttle to the time you come back to go back home. No thank you.
Anyway, I am in talks about doing some interviews for radio and internet about Pro Golf Synopsis. I plan on this year really getting to learn more about highly advanced technological devices used for instruction. Partially because Wishon and Edel Golf have spoiled me and wised me up about equipment where I start to see thru the marketing BS with new equipment. That and when I ask serious questions, most people have no clue what I'm talking about.
Anyway, looking forward to it. And I'll be there with my Air Flight 89's on.
3JACK