Will There Be a PGA Show in 2021?

Josh Babbitt May 18, 2020 47 Comments

With the current climate surrounding the country with gatherings, will we see the PGA Merchandise Show in 2021?

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Josh Babbitt

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Josh is the Publisher of The Hackers Paradise and co-founder of THP Media with his wife Morgan Babbitt. Together they share a passion for golf, and they travel the country in the THP Tour Van bringing their love and knowledge of the game to golfers everywhere.

47 Comments

obedt says:

May 18, 2020 at 1:45 pm

I think so, but doubt it will be close to as big. Probably more room with less spots, less tickets, etc
Jmk202 says:

May 18, 2020 at 1:47 pm

In a dark twist the PGA decides to hold it in Wuhan, China as part of their grow the game initiative.
Bernoulli says:

May 18, 2020 at 1:53 pm

Obviously, it depends where we are with this pandemic at that time. One thing you need to factor in is whether the companies involved would be willing to send their employees and representatives to such a potential mass gathering.
smgoldstein says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:01 pm

50/50

Why would a big OEM stuck with newly released 2020 product introduce new product in January?
redneckwop says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:04 pm

Thinking on a positive note yes, but it may look a little different.
Raiderboost says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:07 pm

I sure hope so. It was fun trying to keep up with the thread this year and see all of the cool stuff.
GoldenBuff says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:12 pm

Hard to predict. I do think there is a good chance the in-person part of the meeting is canceled. I base that on one word, limiting liability. OK, so that’s two words. Sue me. :geek:
golfunfiltered says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:13 pm

I don’t see how they can. Not without a vaccine.
Molten says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:13 pm

I’d be really surprised if there was a full show this year.
golfunfiltered says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:14 pm

Although, I would preemptively load up on as much CBD as I could to make the risk of catching COVID irrelevant.
cbaker2882 says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:15 pm

If sports are back on by then and stadiums are allowing full numbers of fans, then yes.
troyefl says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:16 pm

If there is, are you going to go?
fuffle master says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:28 pm

I think this all depends on the 2nd wave if there is one next winter. I am guessing many smaller companies (larger ones as well) will need to have a presence at the PGA Show. However, I think by then many companies will have moved much of their advertising to online and different methods. It would be a shame to many smaller companies and could even be devastating on those that need the advertisement if they cancel.

My gut says they try to have next year but limit the number of people in the building to 50% from what they normally allow yearly. They may extend a day or two to keep crowd levels down.
-CRW- says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:28 pm

I think it goes on. I think Georgia, Texas, and Florida will be fully open and back to business well before then regardless of what other states end up doing.
JB says:

May 18, 2020 at 2:32 pm

[QUOTE=”golfunfiltered, post: 9336572, member: 34546″]
Although, I would preemptively load up on as much CBD as I could to make the risk of catching COVID irrelevant.
[/QUOTE]

I figured with the amount of alcohol you consumed, no virus would be safe anyway.
BigDill says:

May 18, 2020 at 3:00 pm

My guess is that they [U]do[/U] have a show, but in a much different way. Fewer booths within the center itself, limitations on the amount of people both invited and within the event spaces at any time, and an expanded outdoor presence at OCN and/or other related open air spaces.
annsguy says:

May 18, 2020 at 4:50 pm

Trade shows I’m connected are saying they are having the show. The earliest is second week of August in Atlanta. Not sure how sales call wearing a mask or going to go.
sposey013168 says:

May 18, 2020 at 4:53 pm

From what I hear there could be a covid vaccine by fall. Covid will be under control and the show will happen.
JB says:

May 18, 2020 at 4:53 pm

[QUOTE=”annsguy, post: 9336928, member: 19928″]
Trade shows I’m connected are saying they are having the show. The earliest is second week of August in Atlanta. Not sure how sales call wearing a mask or going to go.
[/QUOTE]

My gut has pointed this way, and then Reed canceled the August show in Vegas.
jdtox says:

May 18, 2020 at 4:53 pm

I sure hope so because otherwise my first would also be my last ?

That being said unless this craziness is gone by then I doubt it, seems like it was already on the decline
TRA024 says:

May 18, 2020 at 4:57 pm

Probably they can technically keep the show. However, with basically all golf companies going to have a crappy year will they be willing to invest the money and effort to go to the show (which would still be uncertain even if they plan to go ahead with it). Unless there are large discounts to booth fees and we see a vaccine available (or drugs that reduce the impact) I don’t see this happening. And as someone else mentioned not even all companies will release new equipment but rather stretch the release cycle.
ddec says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:10 pm

Clearly TaylorMade has been ahead of the game haha

All of that stuff is going to change at least in the near future. Think about NAB how freaking huge that was when we went to that JB.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see the 2021 show axed and have it return in 2022.
JB says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:12 pm

[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 9336957, member: 782″]
Clearly TaylorMade has been ahead of the game haha

All of that stuff is going to change at least in the near future. Think about NAB how freaking huge that was when we went to that JB.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see the 2021 show axed and have it return in 2022.
[/QUOTE]

NAB SHow would be like a hug from a sweaty dude while he disrobes.

The PGA Show could do something around demo day, but the problem is twofold.
Demo Day is always a shit show with tricker treaters
It sets precedent and no company is going to want to go inside.
mmaynard11 says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:12 pm

My guess is unlikely. All of my major conferences have been cancelled through beginning of next year.
ddec says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:20 pm

[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9336963, member: 3″]NAB SHow would be like a hug from a sweaty dude while he disrobes.

The PGA Show could do something around demo day, but the problem is twofold.
Demo Day is always a **** show with tricker treaters
It sets precedent and no company is going to want to go inside.[/QUOTE]

You could do something around Demo Day but man I just don’t see that being a good setup for all the apparel and sales portions of the show.

If they do one in January I’d have to think the attendance is going to be reduced. Which will for once stop the “largest attendance yet” email that goes out 2 days after the show when we all know traffic is down, booths are down, etc.
jdtox says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:20 pm

[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9336963, member: 3″]
NAB SHow would be like a hug from a sweaty dude while he disrobes.

The PGA Show could do something around demo day, but the problem is twofold.
Demo Day is always a **** show with tricker treaters
It sets precedent and no company is going to want to go inside.
[/QUOTE]
Can’t they just get rid of the trick or treaters?
ddec says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:20 pm

[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 9336982, member: 5944″]Can’t they just get rid of the trick or treaters?[/QUOTE]

But then what will Wardy do?
ddec says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:21 pm

[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 9336982, member: 5944″]Can’t they just get rid of the trick or treaters?[/QUOTE]

Even think of the pit. Think of how many people get crammed in to that spot for 6-7 hours every night.
jdtox says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:23 pm

[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 9336985, member: 782″]
Even think of the pit. Think of how many people get crammed in to that spot for 6-7 hours every night.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah good point. Would be weird with a bunch of people wearing masks haha
JB says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:27 pm

[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 9336982, member: 5944″]
Can’t they just get rid of the trick or treaters?
[/QUOTE]

You would think so, but it happens every year.
jdtox says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:29 pm

[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9336992, member: 3″]
You would think so, but it happens every year.
[/QUOTE]
Simple solution stop giving away free crap nobody actually needs haha
RealPretendPsychic says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:30 pm

If they cap or restrict attendance, no way. You’re paying for the foot traffic and I don’t see companies putting up cash for a show with those limitations.
JB says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:33 pm

[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 9336994, member: 5944″]
Simple solution stop giving away free crap nobody actually needs haha
[/QUOTE]

They pretty much have and it still happens. Course gets 5 badges gives them to aisle fillers. Then my favorite are the badges with guest. Its always nice when I am there working and see friends of mine wandering around taking up time.

Great story a few years ago was someone explaining how he “connected with“ someone that was a putter designer. Felt bad for said putter designer knowing that he just spent 30 minutes breaking down this new venture to someone that literally had nothing to do with golf equipment, media or any buying situation.

I think its a FOMO thing for a lot of people and I get it to an extent. Or at least used to, when new items were released.
annsguy says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:51 pm

The lines I rep are working on ways to present virtually. Sending samples to customers when needed. It’s going to be a leap into a new world.
Also a couple of big brands in my field(footwear) have fired all their reps and even cancelled goods to avoid paying commission.
Sox_Fan says:

May 18, 2020 at 5:53 pm

I think there will be one but it will be substantially different than past shows. Maybe far less companies invited so things can be spread out more and less invites to attend the show. Maybe something like a requirement of doing a certain volume of sales to attend for dealers of equipment whter it be a golf course clubhouse or brick and mortar store. Would probably cut out a lot of attendess like my course pro as I’m sure my course would not even sniff a certain sales volume threshold.
e1iterate says:

May 19, 2020 at 2:58 pm

I hope there is. No reason to live in fear.
strawboater says:

May 19, 2020 at 4:11 pm

I can’t see there being that much new product out there to promote. Release cycles will be postponed for 12 months whilst manufacturers and suppliers recover.
YukonLiving says:

May 19, 2020 at 4:14 pm

[QUOTE=”BigDill, post: 9336690, member: 48932″]
My guess is that they [U]do[/U] have a show, but in a much different way. Fewer booths within the center itself, limitations on the amount of people both invited and within the event spaces at any time, and an expanded outdoor presence at OCN and/or other related open air spaces.
[/QUOTE]
This is where I’m at as well. I think we will see more open air or tent style gatherings where air flow is greater.
Likely some type of maximum capacity and spacing around booths.
Badger_Golfer says:

May 19, 2020 at 5:16 pm

Id say that it depends but at this point I would say probably not. Unless we somehow get a vaccine by then, nothing with this virus will have changed and the risk of people in large groups will remain.
Badger_Golfer says:

May 19, 2020 at 5:17 pm

[QUOTE=”sposey013168, post: 9336933, member: 14224″]
From what I hear there could be a covid vaccine by fall. Covid will be under control and the show will happen.
[/QUOTE]
The fall of 2021 maybe but not the fall of 2020. Ive seen nothing that says we could have a vaccine any time this year.
MWard says:

May 19, 2020 at 5:30 pm

I think there will be, but I would not be shocked if the show was a lot smaller in comparison, and everybody had on masks or use a ton of hand sanitizer. I wonder if they will cancel the demo day aspect though?
jlew2144 says:

May 19, 2020 at 5:41 pm

So assuming there is one does Mward go dressed in a hazmat suit?

[media=giphy]JUSBKSSF9Hrmd7NIU1[/media]
Bryndom says:

May 19, 2020 at 5:51 pm

I’m gonna go No ( on an in person one) on this. I want there to be one, absolutely.

with some OEMs not attending last year, and some delays in gear releases this year, I expect the major OEMs will have fewer things to show. If you add on the possibility of a cancel due to COVID part 2; the risk is higher.

I expect a virtual PGA show where OEMs live stage their goods and stream it online vs an in person one.

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