ORLANDO, FL. In a world of constant motion, the wherewithal to remain vibrant and relevant can be a difficult assignment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Each year in late January the annual PGA Show comes forward in showcasing all aspects and dimensions tied to the merchandising of the sport.
More than 33,000 golf industry professionals from 94 countries and 50 U.S. states came together to meet with more than 1,100 participating brands at the 72nd PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 21-24, 2025.
With the continued growth of the recreational game, the PGA Show reached its largest size since 2009, pointing to a highly optimistic outlook for the $102 billion golf industry in 2025.
This year’s event was held for the 39th year at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). Visit Orlando and OCCC estimated the local economic impact at just over $81 million.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature saw fit to dampen festivities with soggy and unseasonably cold temperatures for the Demo Day program that traditionally provides the kick-off for the gathering. That event is held at Orange County National Golf Course and provides attendees the opportunity to test various equipment and specialty products.
Even with that setback the mood for the gathering was ebullient.
“As we come together for the largest PGA Show in over 15 years, this global event stands as a grand gathering of PGA of America Golf Professionals and industry leaders, signaling the exciting start of the new golf season,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., PGA Master Professional and owner-operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Arizona.
“It’s an opportunity for us to unite, embrace the latest innovations and reignite our collective passion for the game. For me, the PGA Show is like a family reunion. Our Association unites the professional golf community at the PGA Show to drive the continued growth of recreational golf, which has never been healthier than it is today.”
The PGA Merchandise Show, now the world’s largest and most influential golf business event, grew from humble beginnings in Dunedin, Florida, in 1954, when a handful of golf merchandisers assembled in the PGA National Golf Club parking lot during a series of PGA winter tournaments.
By 1957, the number of manufacturers’ representatives had become so large that PGA officials leased a tent.
The PGA Merchandise Show moved when the association’s winter tournaments relocated to Florida’s East Coast. In 1963, the show was held at the Port St. Lucie Country Club; from 1964 to 1973, at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens (now BallenIsles Country Club); and in 1974, back in Port St. Lucie, still under a circus-sized tent.
The PGA Merchandise Show and winter tournaments moved to Orlando, in 1975, where the show was held indoors for the first time, at the Disney Contemporary Resort. In 1982, the PGA of America relocated to the new PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, a mile from its former headquarters. The PGA Merchandise Show was subsequently moved to the Miami Beach Convention Center, where it remained for three years.
Due to the continuing demand for increased space capacity, the PGA then moved the show to the new OCCC in 1985 and again the show was quickly filled to capacity. As the PGA Merchandise Show grew, so did the West Building of the Convention Center, which added 200,000 gross square feet in 1989 and nearly doubled in size to 1.1 million gross square feet in 1996.
In 1998, the PGA of America sold an equity share of its golf shows to Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading trade show organizer. In partnership, the PGA and Reed, under the umbrella of PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions, produce and manage the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando and the PGA Fashion and Demo Experience in Las Vegas.
Since the PGA–Reed partnership, the PGA Merchandise Show has evolved to become an all-encompassing global platform for the introduction of new products, indoor and outdoor product testing, wide-ranging education seminars, industry symposiums right on the show floor, national awards presentations, fashion features, player development programs, professional networking events, and more.
“The enthusiasm and energy level from exhibitors and buyers alike is unmatched, and we are excited to be kicking off the new season in such a positive way,” PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon said.
“The PGA Show plays such an integral part in the lives of people in the golf industry and the larger scale of the event overall points to an exciting outlook for the continued growth of the sport and the business of golf. A packed lineup of exhibits, product testing, demonstrations, special events, experiences, education and networking opportunities await our PGA Show community.”
The global pandemic meant the 2021 show was only held virtually. In 2022, the show resumed its gathering in Orlando at OCCC.
Multiple showcases were front and center at this year’s PGA Show.
The Wednesday night live Fashion Show offered attendees the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Awards” in three categories. Among the standout brands presenting were A. PUTNAM for People’s Choice Best Dressed Women’s Brand. The People’s Choice Best Men’s Brand went to Rhone and Bubble Lifestyle won the People’s Choice Best Dressed Outfit.
Among the tens of thousands of attendees were more than 7,300 PGA of America Golf Professionals, LPGA and international PGA Professionals, representing widespread professional positions in the global industry and driving grassroots participation in the game by millions worldwide.
More than 1,300 VIP buyers representing 840 golf facilities and retailers sourced new products and services, bringing approximately $885 million in purchasing power and nearly $2.2 billion in retail sales to the event.
Additionally, more than 1,100 media, including some 200 content creators and social media influencers from 22 countries reported from the trade-only PGA Show, offering an exclusive inside look to the game’s newest innovations for millions of consumers around the world.
Industry professional attendance came from 94 countries and all 50 U.S. states with Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Japan and Mexico topping the list of international attendees and Texas, New York, Georgia, California and North Carolina representing top states, outside of the host state of Florida.
The game’s most recognizable brands and veteran manufacturers, along with nearly 400 exhibitors new to the PGA Show, created an unparalleled marketplace to showcase the latest innovations that will enhance the golf experience and drive the business of the sport.
Thousands of products and services were introduced among some 10 miles of Show aisles including products such as Titleist 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls; Cobra DS-ADAPT family of drivers and metalwoods; PING G440 line of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and Irons; Bridgestone 220 MB, 221 CB and 222 CB+ Forged irons and BRM2 Forged wedges; Blue Tees Playmaker+ GPS Watch and Series 4 Ultra Rangefinder; Club Car new Onward LSV; Sunday Golf’s new kids golf bag line; ICON EV new E40FX model; Johnnie-O’s first women’s line; Flag & Anthem Ryder Cup Capsule; Duca del Casma first-ever apparel collection; Ellesworth + Ivey Custom Sweaters and Sweatshirts; A. Putnam Royal Gardens Collection and many more.
Awards Announced
The 2025 PGA Show also shined a spotlight on new products and talented inventors in the New Product Zone and Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion. Innovations in the New Product Zone, a one-stop pavilion of the newest golf merchandise, were judged by a panel of award-winning PGA of America Golf Professionals and golf buyers. The judging panel selected three overall “Best New Product” Award winners – Pinned Golf portable GPS golf tablet, Heathlander golf shoes and knitwear, and Volle Golf/GreenUp biodegradable golf tees made from coffee.
The Inventors Spotlight pavilion, organized in partnership with the United Inventors Association (UIA), showcased new golf products developed by independent inventors within more than 50 pavilion exhibits. Products were reviewed by UIA experts and top inventions were presented with one of four awards: Most Innovative to UpSwingGolf, Best Marketing to PuttBuddies, Best Product Pitch to VannyVee Sports, and the Overall Award to Tübr Storage.
The Wednesday night live Fashion Show offered attendees the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Awards” in three categories. Among the standout brands presenting were A. PUTNAM for People’s Choice Best Dressed Women’s Brand. The People’s Choice Best Men’s Brand went to Rhone and Bubble Lifestyle won the People’s Choice Best Dressed Outfit.
“We had a feeling heading into the PGA Show that this year’s event was going to be special, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response from attending golf industry professionals and exhibiting brands – many who called it the ‘best show ever’,” said Simon.
“The largest PGA Show in 15 years, combined with really strong industry attendance, is a tremendous start to the new year for the golf industry. Our global golf community relishes the opportunity to connect in person and we leave the PGA Show with renewed friendships, new business opportunities and a recharged outlook moving into 2025.”
PGA Golf Exhibitions will next hold the mid-season PGA Buying Summit, July 28-30, in Frisco, Texas and the PGA Show will return to Orlando, Jan. 20-23, 2026.
