The Golf Business Conference, hosted by the National Golf Course Owners Association and running concurrently with the PGA Show in Orlando, completes its three-day run today (Wednesday) with a Q and A session featuring 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson and NGCOA CEO Jay Karen.
The Ryder Cup Captain’s appearance will be part of the aboutGOLF closing lunch reception in Room W109 of the Orange County Convention Center, which will include introduction of the annual recipients of the NCGOA’s Paul Porter Award and Don Rossi Award. The lunch reception today concludes three days of education seminars, special events including the Yamaha Golf Outing at Reunion Resort in suburban Orlando on Monday, and networking relevant to golf course owners and operators.
A strategic alliance between the NGCOA, the PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions allowed representatives from the PGA, LPGA, NGCOA, Club Management Association of America (CMAA), and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to earn education credits at all crossover events during PGA Show Week in Orlando.
Presenters and panelists at the 2023 Golf Business Conference on Monday included Brand: New Day founder Larry Gulko, brand strategist and strategic growth advisor; and former PGA Tour standout and NBC Sports golf analyst Peter Jacobsen, who introduced attendees to the new golf game show “Match Play.”
A full schedule of events on Tuesday included opening remarks from NGCOA CEO Jay Karen and Kann Advisory Group Managing Director Kraig Kann, followed by behavioral economist and business professor Peter McGraw’s “Shtick to Business” presentation.
PGA Board of Directors member and Pine Ridge Golf Course owner Cathy Harbin teamed with MPR Group founder and principal Julius Rhodes, KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner and Cyrano Communications Executive Director Michael Williams to present “Culture Conversations – Leadership, Labor, and the Discussions Owners Should Be having.”
Lon Grundy, general manager of World Golf Village; Kris Strauss, executive vice president of global sales & marketing for Toon; and Brady Wilson, general manager of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, also presented “What to Prioritize in the World of Marketing” on Tuesday.
Jim Koppenhaver, founder and president of Pellucid Corp., joined Edgehill Golf Advisors Principal Stuart Lindsay for “State of the Industry – Where Do We Grow From Here?” followed by an analysis by Dr. John Silvia on the “Intersection of Golf and Our Nation’s Economy.” Craig Kessler, Southern California Golf Association director of public affairs; Michael Lee, senior manager of government affairs for the GCSAA; Ronnie Miles, senior director of advocacy for the NGCOA; and Harvey Silverman, principal for Silverback Golf Marketing, provided insights on how golf courses can battle environmental, legislative and regulatory hurdles.
Other Tuesday presenters included Larry Hirsh, president of Golf Property Analysts; Ryan Rafter, managing director of Hilco Real Estate; Jon Last, founder-president of Sports & Leisure Research Group; and Will Robins, PGA, CEO of Robins Golf Logistix.