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THird GCA ROADSHOW IS WEST COUNTRY GOLF NETWORKING EVENT
To view the press release for this event, please click here
gca launches 'Profit from golf' roadshows.
The GCA is to stage its first 'Profit from Golf' Roadshow in May - one of a number of new networking events designed to provide help and advice to golf course owners and operators.
The roadshow at Greetham Valley GC, Rutland on 15th May will feature a series of mini-seminars on topical issues affecting the business of golf, an hour-long networking opportunity and lunch.
Ian Bulleid, GCA Chairman, said: "We have deliberately designed the Profit from Golf Roadshows to take up just half a day, but they will provide a useful forum for operators and owners to keep in touch with all the latest developments in golf.
"Following the success of our first two 'Business of Golf' Conferences, we have decided to take the concept 'on the road' to make our key message - that help is available to enable golf operators to make more profit from golf - as accessible as possible.
We see this as an opportunity for roadshow delegates to share their problems and experiences, build relationships, improve their knowledge and ultimately find new ways to grow their business."
Three 'Profit from Golf' Roadshows will take place during 2007, based in the Midlands, South and North to encourage attendance from owners and operators in all parts of the country.
At each event, Golf Consultants Association members will be at hand to offer their experience and expertise from a range of services - including marketing, clubhouse design, financing, golf development and operations.
Ransomes Jacobsen, the premier supplier of high quality turf equipment and vehicles, are sponsoring all the events. The Roadshows are limited to 50 delegates and those interested in attending should contact the GCA direct on 02476 414999 ext 207 or email gca@sportsandplay.com
2005 'Business of golf' conference
The centrepiece of the GCA calendar this year was undoubtedly the inaugural ‘Business of Golf’ Conference held at the exclusive St Andrews Bay Resort from 11 th to 13 th October. The programme attracted delegates from nineteen countries, ranging from newly developing golf markets in Eastern Europe and South America to the more established markets of the UK and the United States .
Members of the GCA include specialists who will assist both a new development to establish its market position and its business plan and also an existing operation which wishes to improve sales and profitability. The Conference gave several members an opportunity to demonstrate their professional knowledge and to pass on some highly valuable commercial intelligence and there were also excellent presentations from distinguished guest speakers such as Howard Swan, the golf course architect, Roger Pride the Director of Marketing for the Wales Tourist Board, and Peter Walton, Chief Executive of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).
The conference programme gave delegates ample opportunities to ask questions both in public and in private and the networking away from the formal conference sessions proved fertile ground. Most delegates rated the event as ‘successful’ or ‘very successful’ and said that their expectations had been fully satisfied. The only point of disagreement seemed to be over where the event should be held in 2006, with delegates from Morocco , South Korea and Wales all making a bid to act as the host country.
The presentations followed a logical pattern. The first full day was devoted to feasibility study, the role of market research, the importance of identifying the correct market position, course design and construction, and types and sources of funding including the opportunities for all types of property investment that can benefit from an association with golf and vice versa.
Guest speaker at the Conference Dinner was Peter McEvoy, OBE, the chairman of selectors for the GB & I Walker Cup team, and head of Sporting Concepts, an organisation whose activities include golf course design and development.
On day two attention turned to operations with marketing and management coming under scrutiny. The marketing expertise came from GCA member Andy Hiseman and Peter Walton of IAGTO, who were joined by Golf Foundation Chief Executive Mike Round and David Piggins, the Chief Executive of Playgolf Holdings, and they were followed by Ian Bulleid and Jonathan Barker who gave a detailed and fascinating account of the design and development of the clubhouse at Surrey Downs Golf Club.
The Conference was supported by UK Trade & Industry, Scottish Development International and WalesTrade International.
