56th annual PGA Merchandise Show Provides Hands-on Opportunites

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) - As the ultimate try before you buy, tens of thousands of PGA Professionals and golf retailers from around the world will come to the 56th annual PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 29-31, 2009, in Orlando, Fla., to personally test new golf equipment and accessories that will drive golf retail sales in the upcoming season.

Market leaders such as Callaway Golf, Titleist, Cobra, Ping, Cleveland Golf/Srixon, Nike Golf and more count on the product-testing Demo Days of the PGA Merchandise Show to showcase the attributes of their newest equipment to international retail decision-makers.7th Annual Outdoor Demo Day, Jan, 28thOn Wednesday, Jan. 28, the 7th Annual Outdoor Demo Day, exclusive to PGA Professionals, invited VIP retailers and media, features more than 90 top golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies within 100+ hitting bays, practice greens and the vendor village of the 42-acre practice facility of Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge (OCN) in Winter Garden, Fla.

The largest industry demo event in North America features a packed schedule of special events, demonstrations, contests and prizes, plus the first Outdoor New Product Preview & Demo Area for a one-stop preview of only the newest golf merchandise. The Outdoor Demo Day is open exclusively to PGA Professionals and media from 9:00 a.m. to noon with invited VIP retailers joining the event until closing at 5:00 p.m.

Shuttles will run from Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) to OCN every 20 minutes beginning at 8:30 a.m. Shuttle transportation is strongly encouraged as parking is restricted. Vehicles without a parking pass will be directed to the auxiliary parking lot located 1/2 mile away from Orange County National Golf Center with continuous shuttle service throughout the day to OCN. The last shuttle buses departing OCN for the parking field and OCCC will be at 6:00 p.m.

The Outdoor Demo Day is presented by PGA Golf Exhibitions and PGA Magazine and sponsored by Aldila, Bionic and Cocona. Top-Flite D2 Feel is the official ball sponsor and is joined by Gear for Sports as the official outerwear, Tee Time Media as the divider sponsor, Bionic as the glove sponsor, Pukka Headwear as the headwear sponsor, Excel Golf Products as the tee sponsor and topTent at the tent sponsor.

Indoor Demo Days at the ETC, Jan. 29th - 31stThe Indoor Demo Days at the Equipment Test Center, located right on the PGA Merchandise Show floor, is the country's largest indoor golf range and open to all of the more than 45,000 attendees each Show day, Jan. 29-31. The scalloped layout of some 47 hitting bays, a putting green and a PGA Short Game Challenge Area provide hands-on testing of the newest equipment and the latest advances in technology and design from leading golf manufacturers.

More than 250,000 balls were hit at the ETC last year. Top-Flite D2 Feel is the official ball of the ETC and is joined by Fiberbuilt Manufacturing as a mat sponsor, Tee Time Media as the divider sponsor, Players Turf as the putting green sponsor, Range Servant as the mat, dispenser and basket sponsor and Green Keepers as the tee sponsor. For a detailed list of companies participating in the sold-out ETC, visit www.pgashow.com/indoordemodays.

The game's most influential leaders including executives from worldwide PGAs, global golf companies and national golf organizations, join grassroots PGA Professionals and retailers to amass more than 45,000 attendees focused on growing the business of golf. Interactive exhibits, product testing, education seminars, fashion shows, industry awards, trend reports, professional networking, merchandising workshops, best practices presentations and more pack unprecedented value into the industry's biggest week of golf business. The Outdoor Demo Day, Jan. 28, tees off the Show for PGA Professionals, media and invited guests to test equipment outdoors at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Fla. The PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 29-31, is a trade only event and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Additional announcements regarding new and enhanced PGA Merchandise Show programs will be made in upcoming releases.

For more information or to register for the 56th PGA Merchandise Show, visit www.pgashow.com.

Editor's Note: If you plan on attending, make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

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