LAKE MARY, FL (April 10, 2013) – Four more companies have committed as exhibitors for the 23rd Annual ING Spring Conference May 19-23 at Reunion Resort in Orlando.
This annual gathering of golf media, companies and executives from the golf industry is set for May 19-23 at beautiful Reunion Resort in Orlando. The non-profit International Network of Golf, the industry’s only media-based networking organization, conducts the conference. ING is “where the media and golf industry connect.”
Anyone in the golf industry and media is invited to join ING and attend the conference. Call 407-328-0500, ext. 1 for details.
The four latest companies to sign up for the conference are:
BRIDGESTONE GOLF manufactures and markets premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brand names. Bridgestone is represented on a world stage by a number of internationally famed golfers including Fred Couples, Paula Creamer, Matt Kuchar, Davis Love III and Brandt Snedeker. Bridgestone is the No.1 ball-fitter in golf as the industry leader in live launch monitor fittings. Bridgestone provides three ways for golfers to find the ball that best fits their game: live fittings through the Bridgestone Ball Fitting Challenge, live online chats with ball fitting experts through its B-FIT service, and an easily accessible Online Ball Selection Guide.
ISLAND HILLS GC: This Ray Hearn masterpiece opened in 1999 and underwent extensive renovations by Ray Hearn in 2010. Island Hills is a spectacular golf course tucked away in the heart of Michigan’s southern counties and is a midway point between Detroit and Chicago. The course is unique in both its bold beauty and its broad playability, as it moves through constantly changing terrain that makes each hole a distinct and memorable experience. Beyond the golf is Lake Templene, one of Michigan’s largest inland lake with outstanding fishing and a nature lovers delight.
NIKE GOLF designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. Among the tour players playing Nike Golf currently are Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
PLAY 240 GOLF: Pace of play is a major issue, so much so the USGA announced has a new initiative to address the problem, identifying four factors that impact pace-of-play negatively: 1) Course Design, 2) Course Maintenance/Set-Up, 3) Player Management, and 4) Player Education. 240 GOLF addresses the fourth factor Player Education. PLAY 240 Golf offers a comprehensive program to golf course owners to educate golfers on the fundamentals of good pace of play etiquette. The program educates golfers on the fundamental of being ready to play when it is your turn and doing so in 30 seconds for most if not all shots. Complete merchandising kits are provided to golf courses to introduce 240 GOLF. A series of videos will be provided to golf courses for ongoing education and reinforcement of good pace of play etiquette.
Attendees at the ING Spring Conference will have the opportunity to test the latest and greatest golf products from manufacturers large and small during the popular ING Demo Lab. Companies with golf clubs, putters and training aids get space on the range and putting green to display product. Attendees, including golf writers, broadcasters and editors from media outlets across America come through the Lab to capture first-hand knowledge of the equipment.
The popular One-On-One Appointment Show returns, featuring private, 20-minute meetings between exhibitors and attendees. The Appointment Show, which has been expanded to two days at this year’s conference, was created to place an emphasis on business relations between the media and golf companies, resorts, destinations and entrepreneurs.
The ING staff gathers all meeting requests ahead of the conference and makes appropriate matches for the appointments. The entire schedule is determined and published prior to the show to allow for adequate planning time.
The featured golf competition that week will be the World Golfers Amateur Tour National Qualifier on Monday of the conference. This individual net stroke play will take place over the Watson Course, with five flight winners earning spots in the WGAT National Finals in Mesquite, NV, in September. Flight winners there will be on Team USA in the World Finals in South Africa.
The Durland Cup Scramble will be played over the Palmer Course at Reunion on Wednesday May 22. The competition is named after longtime ING Golf Committee chairman Larry Durland.
Reunion Resort is located only 25 minutes southwest of the Orlando International Airport, and is part of the newly established Grand Golf Resorts of Florida – a Salamander Collection – along with 2011 ING host Innisbrook Resort near Tampa and Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast.
Along with the three diverse golf courses by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Reunion is also home to the ANNIKA Academy of Annika Sorenstam, and the Frankly Putting PAD of Frank Thomas.
ING attendees will be treated to the incredible 3-bedroom villas for their accommodations. The villas average approximately 2,200 square feet. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and TV, and shares a spacious and well-appointed living room and kitchen with the other two bedrooms. Each villa also features a balcony and flat-screen TVs.
The ING Conference is open to everyone in the golf industry and media. For more information, call 407-328-0500, ext. 1 or visit www.inggolf.com. For more information regarding Reunion Resort, visit www.reunionresort.com.
Contact:
Mike Jamison
407-328-0500, ext. 1
mike@jamisongolf.com
