Press release

GOLF SHOW 2008_press release.doc (96 kB)

GOLF SHOW 2008

15. - 17. 3. 2008, The Trade Fair Palace, Prague

13th international trade fair of the golf equipment and tourism

Press release and statistics

Number of the exhibitors:      115 ( 15 foreign )

Number of the visitors:          4 926 ( general and specialized public )

Exhibition´s area - total:        5 000 m2

The thirteenth edition of the largest golf trade fair in Eastern Europe was an outstanding success, featuring a growing number of exhibitors, larger exhibition space, attracting more visitors than ever, including some golf VIPs, as well as organising a versatile accompanying programme.

As many as 115 exhibitors took up almost all the space that the Veletržní Palace has to offer. GOLF SHOW even expanded into the National Gallery’s exhibition hall. Notable, too, was the participation of foreign exhibitors and visitors, a clear signal that the Czech Republic is becoming an important golf destination and an attractive golf market. The foreign companies and organisations that came to showcase their products were from Italy, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Spain and Thailand. Even though most space was occupied by stands with golf equipment and simulators, the number of companies which offer golf tours and vacations has also increased.

Attendance figures were also very encouraging. During its three days, nearly 5 000 visitors, golfers with a clearly defined sports interest, found their way to the fair. On Saturday, the fair was honoured with the visit of the most influential man in amateur golf worldwide, David Pepper, President of the World Golf Association, Joint Chairman of the International Golf Association and the head of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Another prominent guest was the top golf instructor Simon Holmes, Tiger Woods’ coach, who spent all Sunday afternoon in the Veletržní Palace, providing free advice, training, correcting and swinging his club on the basement driving range. And phenomenal he was – modest and casual. Without the least trace of a swollen ego or arrogance. In short, a nice guy. The Czech celebrities who showed up at the fair included Alan Babický, Roman Šebrle and Marek Eben, to name but a few.

On Sunday, the GOLF SHOW also hosted several other events. Worth mentioning was the Incoming Workshop, which focused on contracts and information, bringing together the Czech Republic’s representatives and travel scouts from Finland, Denmark and Sweden. The workshop was held under the auspices of Denisa Čermáková from CzechTourism, who also co-organised it. Further, a series of seminars entitled ‘Education in Golf Tourism’ took place here, which had been prepared in cooperation with the Czech Golf Federation, and a press conference was organised on the occasion of the 2nd edition of the charitable golf tournament Prague Hole that aims to promote handicapped sport through the “BARRIERS Account – Sport without Barriers” project.

Throughout the fair’s three days, both visitors and exhibitors were free to use a spacious driving range with 6 tees, 1 000 golf balls and 2 coaches, who barely managed to show and advise all comers how to master the perfect golf swing. Similarly to last year, the driving range attracted a lot of interest.

The fair had it all: world’s best selling golf equipment for both children and adults, discussions with golf guests and coaches including demonstration lessons, latest golf club ranges, new golf wear collections, presentations of attractive golf destinations, special offers, news for the coming season, new trends, new materials, latest products of distributed brands that were presented to the Czech general public for the first time, but also a retro-style electric trolley or a solar-powered golf trolley. In addition to these companies, the fair provided room for the presentation of golf clubs and courses, travel agencies offering golf vacations, organisers of golf tournaments, professional media, hotels, and also some seemingly unrelated businesses oriented towards fitness and wellness and authorised car dealers.

The GOLF SHOW 2008 owes its thanks for the media support to all media partners mentioned below and to other media which contributed to the event's promotion and publicity.

Now that the GOLF SHOW has been successfully completed, we look forward to meeting the exhibitors and visitors in 2009. The date and place will be published at the webside www.golfshow.cz in time.

Enjoy your game ….. and see you again in a year.

 Amara Zemplinerová                             Ing. Jana Patzáková

 GOLF SHOW director                            GOLF SHOW manager