Like others around the country in the golf industry, I was saddened by the recent cancellation of the Ontario buying show. You never want those things to not be successful, but it does appear that this is a sign of the times.
Part of the problem in Ontario may have been the new August dates. Who’s going to be able to go?
The problem is that there is no perfect time to hold the shows, but my head’s not into buying in August. My head’s into getting rid of what I’ve already got at that time of year.
The challenge is time. Golf professionals are not unlike our golfers in that they’re being pulled in different directions and time is an issue for them in committing to a few days away, especially if they’ve move the show dates earlier and earlier.
I wouldn’t be able to tell our members/guest committee that I wasn’t going to be here because I’m going to a buying show so I can see product that they won’t see until March of next year.
The fate of the golf shows is something that should be a concern to every golf professional, no matter what zone you’re in. We want everybody to be successful.
Things have changed, which is unfortunate because I really believe that the buying shows offer more than just buying product. There are also the networking and educational sides of them.
We spend time having coffee and catching up on topics such as how was your year, what worked, what didn’t? We don’t get a chance to poll each other during the summer, so it’s great to get together and talk in the fall.
If the shows are suffering, we’re losing that networking ability. Sharing information makes us so much stronger in our businesses.
In Alberta, I’ve been fortunate enough to work in a culture that we work hard at to maintain. People go to the shows to write, we have networking sessions, a seminar the night before and our awards night, but I feel for the other associations going through such turmoil.
Hopefully, a solution can be found. The idea of bringing other components of a golf operation in is a great concept that’s been discussed for years.
It would be a big undertaking. Is the concept fantastic? I think it is. I would love to go with my staff and get everything done, including negotiations with food suppliers and other vendors.
The other side of it is what about venues? You’ve got to get other associations to buy into the concept. There are a ton of questions, but there always is when you’re thinking of something new.
You can never stop looking when the search is for something that will make you successful.
Simply put, the golf professionals were ready to particpate. Close to 70 facilities were signed up by the end of July and our goal was to see upwards of 100 facilities particpate.