By Michael Williams, Contributor, Golf Business
The PGA Show in Orlando has been a fixture on my calendar for the better part of two decades. I still remember the first moment I entered the hall and was immediately immersed in the hurly-burly of exhibitors and attendees. It was a bazaar, wrapped in a carnival stuffed into a festival.
I knew how exciting the week could be, but I never truly understood the significance of the week until I began attending the NGCOA's Golf Business Conference. With the bulk of the PGA Show agenda now starting midweek, the calendar is clear for those who are truly serious about running a better and more profitable golf operation to arrive early for GBC. There are multiple benefits to GBC; it’s a place to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. It is also an incredibly rich source of information and advice, featuring some of the most successful and influential individuals in the industry. But maybe the most significant aspect is as a place where the attendees can exchange information and ideas amongst their peers to advance their common goals. It always warms my heart to see owner/operators who are competitors in their home markets exchanging notes on how to get better.
While many of the attendees are seasoned veterans, there is always a sizeable cohort that is attending GBC for the first time. For the uninitiated, getting into the flow can be a bit intimidating. If you fall into that category, here are a couple of tips to make your GBC experience the best it can be.
Say Hey! – Some of my fellow geezers will recognize “Say Hey!” as the exuberant greeting of the young Willie Mays. Mays always led with a smile and an outstretched hand; first-time GBC’ers should follow his example. NGCOA gatherings are some of the warmest/friendliest crowds in the industry and are especially welcoming to newcomers. Attend all the social events that you can and don’t be shy about meeting new people and sharing your story. And get some face time with NGCOA staff whenever possible; they have the answers to the questions you haven’t even asked yet.
Plan Your Time – With so much quality content going on simultaneously in the breakout sessions, one of the big challenges for attendees is deciding where they should go. One strategy is to divide the agenda into categories (e.g., advocacy, agronomy, marketing, etc.) and try to attend one session that touches each of them. Another is to consider where your facility needs the most improvement and focus on the sessions that are needed.
Use Your Voice – In the midst of all the talent and experience in any given room at GBC, some first-timers may feel reluctant to speak up with questions or comments during sessions. But it’s the input of new members and first-time attendees that provide the fresh perspectives that make the GBC unique and special each year. So when it comes to sharing your problems or your solutions, don’t be shy, let it fly!
Whether you’re a veteran or a rookie, GBC24 will once again be one of the most educational and enjoyable events on the golf calendar. I look forward to seeing you there!
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