Golfdom, January 2012

Off The Fringe NEWS WITH A HOOK Odds on PHOTO COURTESY LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU STILL ONE MONTH AWAY 2012 GIS ALREADY SURPASSING 2011 IN ATTENDEES VENDORS By Seth Jones T he GCSAA Conference and Show hasnt made an appearance in Las Vegas since 1997 Early figures on the show seem to be pointing to the GCSAA walking away from Vegas as so few are able to do as a winner Were already above our numbers from Orlando and thats never happened before says Julia Ozark senior manager tradeshow and activation for the GCSAA and a 12 year veteran of the association Were above on both goals of total qualified buyers 6000 and square footage 180000 square feet Ozark said the goals for the 2012 Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas were set at the same levels as the 2011 show in Orlando Though last years show in Orlando was almost 40 percent smaller than it was when the show was there in 2008 Orlando is typically known as the best attended show for the GCSAA Everyone is really excited for Las Vegas its been 15 years Ozark says I think the positive vibe on the show floor last year helped us out It wasnt doom and gloom last year People were ready to get back to business Why Las Vegas has been out of the rotation for the last 15 years has always been a popular topic of gossip among attendees Is it because GCSAA members party too much in Sin City Or maybe not enough Theres nothing specific thats kept us from Las Vegas says GCSAA president Robert Randquist CGCS Weve been there numerous times before Youre always curious how the attractions will affect attendance but were not worried our members are committed to being there for the right reasons But that doesnt mean the GCSAA will be back in Las Vegas any time soon And that information is coming from Las Vegas not the GCSAA It would be difficult but not impossible to return soon Ozark tells Golfdom They have shows that return to Las Vegas every year January through March is their busy time From what they tell us the dates we want arent available But one thing is for sure Go all in on a better attended and bigger Golf Industry Show in 2012 in Las Vegas than what was held in 2011 in Orlando 4 Golfdom January 2012 AS SEEN IN WWW GOLFDOM BLOGSPOT COM Poll What keeps you from playing in the GCSAA golf tournament 29 Forget you Im going baby 38 Its too much money 0 Work wouldnt give me the time off for a social event 11 It adds too many days to the GIS 11 Too much travel Palm Springs to Vegas 11 Like Jonesy Im terrible at golf Vegas