Page 46 - GBC winter 2015

Why do you exhibit at your local consumer golf show?
An Important Facet to our
Business
We love going to our local golf shows for many reasons. First, is for the exposure in the community it gives us. It also gives us great face to face time with our current customers, as well as gives us time to earn potential new customers.
The golf shows also give us a platform for off season sales, income with promo- tions, and membership drives. In addition, we have the chance to talk with other local golf courses and other golf industry businesses to see what everyone is doing to drive business. All of these reasons have led to us being part of these shows. They are all important facets to our business, not to mention the fact that our staff love attending and interacting with the golfers.
Eric Kirkpatrick, General Manager
Pine Knot Golf & Country Club, Dorchester, ON
Drive Business at Start of the Season
The goal of exhibiting at the local consumer golf show is to connect with existing customers and attract new golfers to play at our course. The timing of the shows is such that you want to be at the front of the golfer’s mind just as the golf season starts, so that they think to visit you first. It also gives you a chance to showcase your offerings and sell memberships and preseason packages before the golfer commits to other courses.
These reasons are why we are in it and why they make sense. However, depending on many external factors outside of our control, such as nasty winter weather on that weekend; or if the event dates conflict with other events (another event in the city, holidays, major sporting events, etc.) sometimes they fall short achieving the desired outcomes. Overall, I would say it is like advertising: you do not love to do it, but it is necessary to drive business.
Alon Shatil, General Manager
East Park Golf Gardens, London, ON
Gain Exposure While Generating
Revenue
We view our local consumer Winnipeg GOLFEXPO as a valuable opportunity to gain exposure for our facility. The Expo is a targeted audience that allows us to show the consumer the value we offer for memberships, tournaments, and daily fee play.
The ability to grow our marketing database alone would be well worth the investment, but add the opportunity for retail and golf services sales and it makes so much sense for us to be a part of the event.
Darren McMillan, CPGA Head Golf Professional St. Boniface Golf Club, Winnipeg, MB
46Golf Business Canada