pbrown7582
Money List Winner
Its worth it for the kids though the areas they had set up at Manchester were excellent and a free cap and other goodies make there day.
London Golf Show 2015
- Thread starter njrose51
- Start date
Its worth it for the kids though the areas they had set up at Manchester were excellent and a free cap and other goodies make there day.
simon0603
Newbie
So just back in the office after exhibiting at the show and thought I'd give you my feedback from an exhibitors/attendee standpoint.
firstly from what I understand the running of this event has been taken over in the last couple of years and the new organisers are really working hard to improve the visitor experience and I think they are doing a great job. The size of the show is still somewhat small but talking to the guys they had to turn some big names away as they just didn't have the room to accommodate them at the late stage they applied, Callaway and Mizuno being two of them. Next year they will be expanding so hopefully these big names plus many others will support the event and it will be even better.
From an exhibitor stand point I felt attendance was very good, as a new brand to the UK the interest was very high and I even managed to sell a few putters which was an added bonus. I felt the organisation was very good with staff on hand to help out whenever exhibitors needed it, I even saw one member of the team man a stand the entire last day as guy whos stand it was had fallen ill. Tony, the presenter in our hall was top class and all the demonstrations and tutorials on the stage looked really good.
If I was looking at it from a visitor perspective I would say that it just needs more. More of the big names, more range area, perhaps more tuition and tips opportunities. I really think the big guys should all get involved in supporting these two shows (London and Manchester) because it would give golfers a sense that they really care about the consumer. Right now the Harrogate trade show is better supported by the golf brands yet twice as expensive to exhibit at and Non PGA Qualified consumers are not allowed to attend. From a consumer stand point it would make me feel a little detached, maybe even a little insignificant. More deals need to be offered for show attendance, I didn't see much in the way of special pricing from the bigger players, this would attract more attendees again as everyone enjoys grabbing a show bargain, it's what a trade show is all about!
All in all I think it was a very good weekend for my company as an exhibitor and expect it to be even better next year, hopefully they can convince some of you guys that have had poor experiences in the past to give it another shot.
firstly from what I understand the running of this event has been taken over in the last couple of years and the new organisers are really working hard to improve the visitor experience and I think they are doing a great job. The size of the show is still somewhat small but talking to the guys they had to turn some big names away as they just didn't have the room to accommodate them at the late stage they applied, Callaway and Mizuno being two of them. Next year they will be expanding so hopefully these big names plus many others will support the event and it will be even better.
From an exhibitor stand point I felt attendance was very good, as a new brand to the UK the interest was very high and I even managed to sell a few putters which was an added bonus. I felt the organisation was very good with staff on hand to help out whenever exhibitors needed it, I even saw one member of the team man a stand the entire last day as guy whos stand it was had fallen ill. Tony, the presenter in our hall was top class and all the demonstrations and tutorials on the stage looked really good.
If I was looking at it from a visitor perspective I would say that it just needs more. More of the big names, more range area, perhaps more tuition and tips opportunities. I really think the big guys should all get involved in supporting these two shows (London and Manchester) because it would give golfers a sense that they really care about the consumer. Right now the Harrogate trade show is better supported by the golf brands yet twice as expensive to exhibit at and Non PGA Qualified consumers are not allowed to attend. From a consumer stand point it would make me feel a little detached, maybe even a little insignificant. More deals need to be offered for show attendance, I didn't see much in the way of special pricing from the bigger players, this would attract more attendees again as everyone enjoys grabbing a show bargain, it's what a trade show is all about!
All in all I think it was a very good weekend for my company as an exhibitor and expect it to be even better next year, hopefully they can convince some of you guys that have had poor experiences in the past to give it another shot.
chrisd
Major Champion
An interesting summary which does, sort of, back up a lot of posters who commented. Although the weekend weather was pretty crap which should have meant a sell out for the organisers, it was still largely lacking in what most of us would be drawn by - stuff to try without appointments and long queues. I don't want to pay to get into somewhere, where all people are trying to do is part me from even more cash for a membership or holiday I never knew I wanted, maybe for the chance to try the latest gear, yes!
MendieGK
Tour Winner
the very first few London golf shows were great. it had a number of fun things to do. The island green in the middle of the thames for example.
In addition i remember American Golf who had a huge shop there doing a fire sale late in the afternoon every day.
My opinion of all of these shows is that there is just too many companies advertising holidays etc. Yes its a big business but i'm not going to buy a timeshare on a whim!
In addition i remember American Golf who had a huge shop there doing a fire sale late in the afternoon every day.
My opinion of all of these shows is that there is just too many companies advertising holidays etc. Yes its a big business but i'm not going to buy a timeshare on a whim!
dufferman
Journeyman Pro
It's amazing that the majority of the stalls are basically providing the same service the internet provides. Only you've paid for a much smaller selection. Looking for a golf holiday? Would you rather go online and search 1000's of courses and packages, or pay £15 for 2 or 3 courses to give you the hard sell. I can see why the golf show would sell them a stall - money.
Then again, maybe we're all looking at this from the wrong angle. Maybe the visitors are not the customer, the visitors are the product. The customers are those companies with stalls. "Pay to advertise to a large number of your target audience in an environment where there are very little competitors".
Then again, maybe we're all looking at this from the wrong angle. Maybe the visitors are not the customer, the visitors are the product. The customers are those companies with stalls. "Pay to advertise to a large number of your target audience in an environment where there are very little competitors".
simon0603
Newbie
Many of you seem to be getting hung up on the fact there were a lot of golf course and golf holiday stands. Surely if there were more bays to hit golf balls and more equipment and clothing stands there the fact that there are 20 or so course and holidays promoting their product wouldn't be such a big deal, perhaps there wouldn't be room for them if more equipment brands took up the stand spaces. Also these golf holidays may ordinarily get lost in the 1000's online, at least this way they have less competition against the masses.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
The first few held at London Docklands were so much better...and bigger. There was a lot more "new stuff" you could buy on the day, rather than the sole retailler they have had the last few years.
The best one I have been to was years back, held in the Barbican London. I remember the lmitied edition Swilken irons on their stand, in their wooden presentation boxes.
That event was packed, and manic. But obviously pre internet days, had almost everything.
The trouble I see now with the demo section is those "look at me" types who spend ages doing a complete practice session. No wonder ther queues to demo stuff puts poeple off.
The best one I have been to was years back, held in the Barbican London. I remember the lmitied edition Swilken irons on their stand, in their wooden presentation boxes.
That event was packed, and manic. But obviously pre internet days, had almost everything.
The trouble I see now with the demo section is those "look at me" types who spend ages doing a complete practice session. No wonder ther queues to demo stuff puts poeple off.
