- GOLF EUROPE 2008 welcomes 4,636 trade visitors from 52 countries
- Extensive seminar program enjoys high visitor numbers
- Move of 2009 event to M,O,C, receives positive feedback
The 16th
GOLF EUROPE, the leading European golf trade show, was held on October 5th
to the 7th, 2009 at the New Munich Trade Fair. On three event days GOLF
EUROPE 2008 welcomed a total of 4,636 trade visitors (2007: 5,427) and was
forced to deal with a 14% decline in visitors compared to the very positive
statistics from 2007. However, this year’s high quality of visitors was one of
the features which generally pleased the exhibitors.
Industry
professionals from a total of 52 countries traveled to Munich to get the latest information on the
innovations and trends for the next golf season. In addition to Germany, the largest contingent of visitors
came, like last year, from Austria
(381 visitors) and Switzerland
(300), followed by Italy and
the Czech Republic. GOLF EUROPE registered a
considerable increase in trade visitors from Slovenia
and Slovakia,
more than 25%. Visitors continue to profess how pleased they are with the
event. A total of 71% of polled visitors commented that they would definitely return
to the next GOLF EUROPE, and 69% said they would recommend the event to others.
285
exhibitors from 26 countries presented their collections to the visiting
industry professionals; this was similar to the statistics from 2007 (288
exhibitors). However, visitors criticized the fact that a number of larger
brands were not present. To ensure that all leading companies will return to
the GOLF EUROPE, thus providing a truly comprehensive overview of the entire
market, it was decided to move the GOLF EUROPE 2009 back to the Munich Order Center
M,O,C,. The M,O,C, in Munich-Freimann as an event platform and order center is
the perfect staging ground for GOLF EUROPE. Many of the large brands keep
year-round show rooms at the order center, and can easily be reintegrated into
the event even without extensive booth set-up. Of course, generously sized
brand presentations are also possible thanks to the available exhibition hall
space.
Furthermore,
the dates for GOLF EUROPE 2009 will be moved up by one week to an earlier start
date. This is the reaction of Messe München GmbH, the event organizer, to the
emerging trend of increasingly earlier product launches even by hardware
suppliers. In addition, the earlier dates are of benefit to textile
manufacturers, as they have to deal with long procurement cycles. The schedule
change also improves conditions for exhibitors and visitors, as the event no
longer overlaps with EXPO REAL, resulting in benefits such as availability of a
higher number of hotel accommodations at economic rates.
There will
be no changes to the character of GOLF EUROPE as a leading European trade show
for the golf industry. GOLF EUROPE, held at the M,O,C, will focus closely on
just one topic, namely golf. Thus the event will take on an exclusive salon
appeal, and considerably improve the working atmosphere.
This year’s
side event program as well as the complimentary seminar program, offered in
cooperation with the PGA of Europe, received very positive feedback. A special
highlight was the Q&A session with German shooting star Martin Kaymer,
presented by Titleist.
John Jacobs, the first Director General of the PGA European Tour,
received this year’s GOLF EUROPE Legend Award. GOLF EUROPE was pleased to honor
a living legend and the leading architect of golf as we know it today. John Jacobs
was the driving force behind the uniting of nations
on the European continent with Great Britain in the world of golf.
The GOLF
EUROPE Product Awards once again honored the most innovative products for the
2009 golf season. The jury selected the winners from a total of 110 products
entered by about 60 companies in the categories Clubs, Apparel, Footwear,
Accessories, as well as Caddies and Training Equipment.
The next GOLF
EUROPE will be held from September 27th to 29th, 2009 at the M,O,C, in Munich-Freimann.
Manfred Wutzlhofer, Chairman and CEO of Messe München GmbH: “Unfortunately
we experienced a decrease in visitors compared to last year, which was likely a
result of the absence of a number of the larger brands. By moving next year’s
event to the M,O,C, we will be able to re-integrate these companies into GOLF
EUROPE and thus provide a comprehensive overview of the golf market. We already
have received positive responses by the large brands, indicating strong
agreement that GOLF EUROPE is a powerful leader among European golf trade
shows.”
Manfred Erlacher, Chervo: "To begin with, we are pleased with the
move to the M,O,C,. The scheduling change of one week earlier is also a step in
the right direction for us, a producer of high-quality golf apparel. Any
earlier date is a sensible development, in particular regarding the long
procurement cycles throughout the textile industry.”
17/MK/vH
