Industry News
2014 GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW DEEMED A GREAT SUCCESS
By Mike Sebastian
The 2014 Golf Industry Show (GIS) has come and gone
and it seemed to reflect the mood of the resort city
that played host to the mega event this year.
Like Orlando, home to the world of Disney and
Universal Studios, there was an air of merriment and
optimism which was borne out by a general belief that
the once moribund golf industry was beginning to show
signs of a turnaround.
One of the best ways to sense the success of this feeling
is the magnitude of the numbers compiled after the show
ended. Here are the most important indicators:
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Attendance was 14,147 which is an 8% increase
over 2013
Educational seats sold for seminars were 5,192 over
the short week and that is an increase of 15%
over 2013
There were 6,845 qualified buyers (people making
decisions for purchases or expenditures) and that is a
14% increase over 2013
561 companies exhibited at the GIS and that is a
9% increase
184,500 sq. ft. of booth space was sold and again an
increase of 7% over 2013.
It is obvious that numbers were up and soon attendee
surveys will tell the Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America (GCSAA) what members liked
or what they felt needed improvement. These statistics
indicate a positive direction for the GIS and also mark an
upward trend after seeing five or more years of decline
that mirrored the US Economy, golf courses opened, and
rounds of golf played.
The mood of the attendees was very positive. In years
past there seemed to be a question as to whether or not
the golf industry had reached the bottom of a downward
trend. Most have put that behind them and made the
appropriate corrections in the marketplace and are now
focused on moving forward in what is considered “The
New Normal” for golf in the USA.
needed equipment replacement programs and updating
of infrastructure that resulted in significant deferred
maintenance scenarios.
Manufacturers, distributors and superintendents were
all very positive and upbeat about t