FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 16, 2020
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) –- Due to ongoing public-health circumstances, the PGA of BC advises that the Association’s 2020 Buying Show will be conducted as a virtual event on its originally scheduled dates of Oct. 14-15.
Presently, there is no anticipated timeline for when British Columbia will enter Phase 4 of the provincial government’s COVID-19 Restart Plan, which would be required for large events like the Buying Show to proceed, and for international travellers representing out-of-country exhibitors to visit the province. Furthermore, all other potential options to produce a Buying Show in its traditional format were exhausted.
The Association is announcing this decision approximately 90 days out from the scheduled event to provide our industry exhibitors and members with as much notice as possible in the event that the lack of an in-person show impacts approaches to buying and selling this fall.
However, as the largest show of its kind in British Columbia, the Buying Show plays a key role within the province’s golf industry, connecting PGA of BC Professionals and non-member retailers with manufacturers and suppliers to place orders for the season ahead in a one-stop shop setting. By reimagining the 2020 Buying Show as a virtual event, the PGA of BC hopes to continue facilitating these interactions in a safe and convenient forum.
“The PGA of BC Buying Show represents the largest annual gathering of Association Professionals, so it is with disappointment that we announce the Buying Show cannot proceed in its traditional form this year,” said PGA of BC Executive Director Donald Miyazaki.
“In moving the Buying Show to a virtual format for 2020, the PGA of BC intends to provide the same connections between retailers and exhibitors made at the Buying Show as in past years, even if they cannot be made in-person during this time.”
The 2020 Buying Show will continue to be a private event, open only to PGA of BC members, affiliated facilities and non-member buyers as attendees. The Association will host a dedicated online space for all Buying Show activity to take place. Exhibitors will be provided with a “virtual booth” where their content – including pricing and product information, catalogues, contacts and more – can be viewed by attendees.
The Association will also work to include components of the traditional Buying Show – including the Foresight Sports Canada Education Stage and SimplePay Show Lounge – as part of the virtual event.
Although there won’t be a chance for attendees and exhibitors to interact face-to-face in this format, the Association encourages attendees to use the amended show as an opportunity to place orders and see the many products and services exhibitors have to offer as in past years. We are grateful for our exhibitors’ annual support of the Buying Show and are confident that this forum can continue to be an effective and impactful gathering for our exhibitors, members and non-member buyers alike.
"As we aim to provide a Buying Show experience that resembles the traditional event as much as possible, we will recommend all participants schedule appointments and conduct business during regular show hours on Oct. 14-15," said Miyazaki. "We hope for the 2020 Buying Show to remain a one-stop shop for our Professionals, facilities and non-member buyers, and for our exhibitors to gain similar exposure over a two-day period."
Further Buying Show information, as well as registration details for exhibitors and non-member attendees, will be provided in the near future. All previously registered exhibitors will receive a full refund on their registration fees and will be asked to re-register for the virtual edition of the Buying Show. Prospective exhibitors interested in receiving more information about the Buying Show as it becomes available may contact Communications & Marketing Manager Eric MacKenzie at eric@pgabc.org to be included on future communications related to the event.
Additionally, the PGA of BC Awards Celebration presented by Replay Golf Supplies & Tribal has traditionally been hosted on the evening following the first day of the Buying Show. This year’s Awards Celebration will still be held Oct. 14 as scheduled but will be conducted as an online broadcast.
The revised format will allow the Association to safely proceed with honouring each of our 2020 Regional and Provincial Award Recipients. Further details will be announced closer to the event. Don’t forget that nominations are currently being accepted for 11 PGA of BC award categories; please click here to access the nomination form and more information.
The PGA of BC thanks all members, industry partners and suppliers for their understanding of these changes to the Buying Show and Awards Celebration.
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For more information, please contact:
Eric MacKenzie
Communications & Marketing Manager, PGA of BC
(604) 303-6766
eric@pgabc.org