Page 20 - GBC Spring 2021 English

were experiencing the greatest amount of change because of all these accelerating technologies. And now, because of the pandemic it’s accelerating everything.”
In a macro view of the business world with specific parallels to the golf industry and how they apply Kanungo’s agenda covered a lot of ground. Specifically, it focused on bullet point topics like efficiency versus “magic”, eco-systems, new customer expectations, cultural capital, innovation capital and a wind up he called, ‘Denting the Outside’.
In that particular segment, Kanungo talked about how major organizations like Disney are disrupting themselves through experimentation and trying new things. It also featured candid thoughts from Nurse on the role and importance of experimentation throughout his coaching career.
“I really believe we have run our organizations like well oiled machines. We have great gover- nance and processes and structure and 30 minute meetings and I really believe the opportunity in front of us is to re-imagine our organizations for this new world that is focused on innovation and magic,” he said. “I really believe we can use this pandemic as a
catalyst to changing our organi- zations and doubling down on a more meaningful, more magical experience for golfers.”
Kanungo’s keynote address was a showstopper.
VIRTUAL WIND UP
Early returns from this year’s Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show are best summed up in baseball vernacular. This was a home run. Pivoting to a virtual event in 2020 exceeded expectations by a considerable margin. Through surveys sent out immediately following the event 91 percent of attendees rated the conference as “exceptional and above average”.
All three days also garnered high praise from premier conference sponsors, Club Car, entegra Procurement Services, Moneris, Moosehead Breweries, Mulligan International, Rain Bird, Tee-On Golf Systems; from supporting sponsors, Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada, Deluxe Canada, Fireball Whisky, Grand & Toy, Nestlé Professional and PepsiCo and from presenters like Rob Hoffman of Gallus Golf.
“Every organization putting on a virtual conference right now should learn from the NGCOA
Canada. Their preparation, comm- unication with exhibitors and speakers leading up to the show, quality of technology used and staff was well beyond, compared to any organization I have worked with in this capacity,” Hoffman said.
Calderwood believes that in challenging times, like the ones posed by COVID-19 this season, members look to and rely on the NGCOA Canada for guidance and support. Within that leadership position is a responsibility to put on a first class conference.
“NGCOA Canada has been working tirelessly to provide all kinds of resources for members to use to help them navigate through some unprecedented circum- stances,” Calderwood said. “Ensuring our conference went ahead and delivered tools and resources to take our members into the 2021 golf season was a priority for us this year.”
Plugged In, the Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show went ahead virtually this year without any past experience or frame of reference. In the end, it was accomplished with a check mark in every box.
Golf Business Canada
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