In the days leading up to the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, the Omicron variant pushed positive tests for COVID-19 over 800,000 per day in the United States. That wave of infections forced most major golf equipment companies to pull out of the annual trade show held at the Orange County Convention Center and the pre-show Demo Day that takes place every year at Orange County National Golf Club in Winter Garden, Florida.
But with infection rates lowering, more people vaccinated and treatments for COVID-19 improving, brands are announcing they plan to return to the PGA Merchandise Show in January 2023.
Typically, there are thousands of people at the PGA Show’s Demo Day, but in 2022, only a few hundred people went. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
On September 15, Dunlop Brands — the parent company of Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO and Asics — announced that its golf brands would be going back to the PGA Merchandise Show.
In a release, Mike Powell, the president and COO of Dunlop Sports Americas, said, “We are excited to return to the PGA Show in 2023 to show support for the PGA of America and the thousands of PGA Professionals who help make the business of golf what is it today. All of our staff looks forward to showcasing our brands in person, while highlighting the new and exciting things we have planned for the upcoming year.”
On Tuesday, the Acushnet Company’s Titleist and FootJoy announced that they would also be at both Demo Day and have a large presence on the floor at the PGA Show.
People listen as Julie Roberts sings the National Anthem during the opening of 2012 PGA Merchandise Show.
“We look forward to attending the 2023 PGA Show and reconnecting with our partners and the golf community,” said Acushnet senior vice president Peter Broome. “The PGA Show continues to evolve and provides our Titleist and FootJoy brands a forum to strengthen partner relationships, offer educational opportunities and showcase our exciting new products. The timing of this important industry gathering sets the tone for the year, and we look forward to returning to Orlando once again.”
Golfweek has spoken with executives and officials from several other golf equipment brands and nearly all of them said that while agreements and plans have not been officially finalized, they anticipate returning to the PGA Show in 2023.