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Annoucments
EGIA forges new relationship Closer co-operation between golf course owners and operators and the European golf trade association was achieved at the recent European Golf Business Conference, in Amsterdam. Dirk Vinken, Chairman of the European Golf Industry Association, was in Amsterdam to sign the agreement. He said: “One of our primary objectives as an association has always been to initiate closer ties with governing bodies and other industry organisations. So an agreement like this is at the core of our ethos. We will continue to work together with our members to promote the industry across Europe and this co-operation offers both parties a platform from which to develop further the sport of golf.” Lodewijk Klootwijk, a director of the EGCOA, said: “This is all about working together towards a common goal: in this case growing the game of golf. This is what binds our two organisations together and I think it will be hugely beneficial not just for the two parties involved but for the industry as a whole.” Golf course owners and operators in the UK are also to benefit from a new Federation initiative in 2008. ‘GolfShare’ has been established to provide support and information to proprietary golf course owners and operators, initially through an on-line forum. It is estimated that there are now over 800 proprietary golf clubs in the UK and it is intended that GolfShare will also offer a benchmarking service specific to this sector of the industry as well as other benefits and services. New Industry Partner for Golf Europe - October 2003 In a move aimed at strengthening the international profile of Golf Europe, Messe München, owners of the golf trade show, have signed a five year partnership agreement with the European Golf Industry Association. The EGIA was officially launched at Golf Europe 2002 and in the twelve months since its inception has expanded to represent the national golf trade associations of 8 countries. The agreement is a natural progression for Golf Europe which already has a strong partner in the PGA of Europe. As PGA of Europe general secretary Lawrie Thornton said: "This means that Golf Europe now has strong support from the body that represents European PGA Professionals and the body that represents the European industry sector." The EGIA will be encouraging companies from its member countries to attend and support the Munich show each year and build on the increasing international reputation of the event. EGIA Chairman, Dirk Vinken welcomed the agreement, saying: "The EGIA is very much looking forward to working with Messe München in the coming years to our mutual benefit. Mr. Wutzlhofer and his colleagues have been very supportive of the EGIA from the outset and we are all committed to the promotion of golf in Europe." In this, its 11th year, Golf Europe attracted more than 5,300 trade
visitors over the 3 day exhibition, 46% of whom came from outside
Germany. More than half of the 319 exhibitors also came from outside
Germany underlining the international significance of this event.
From Left to Right, John Ennis (Macgregor Golf Europe), Dirk Vinken (EIGA Chairman) and Manfred Wutzlhofer (Chairman and CEO, Messe München GmbH) Spain joins the EGIA The European Golf Industry Association celebrated the first anniversary of its inauguration at Golf Europe this year with the addition of a new member to its ranks. The decision of the Spanish trade association to join the EGIA brings the number of countries allied to the Association to eight. Significant growth in the market over the last five years has resulted in the Spanish sporting goods federation, AFYDAD, setting up a separate golf sector to represent Spain's golf equipment manufacturers and distributors. Josep Obradors, Managing Director of Vilella S.A. is Chairman of the golf sector and was present at the recent EGIA meeting in Munich. Sr. Obradors had no hesitation in adding Spanish support to the EGIA cause, saying: "I totally agree with the aims and objectives of the European Golf Industry Association and feel it is extremely important for the future of our industry that we work together." He added: "Golf is still a very young game in Spain but we now have over 235,000 registered players and more than 270 golf courses. We are interested to learn from the experiences of our industry colleagues from other countries and to assist where we can with the promotion of the game throughout Europe." A very successful first year for the EGIA culminated on 5th October in the signing of a 5-year agreement with Messe München GmbH, the owners of Golf Europe, for the endorsement of the international golf trade show. Dirk Vinken, Secretary of FGHS, the Dutch sporting goods federation, and Chairman of the EGIA said: "I am delighted with the progress we have made in our first year of operation. The Council now consists of members from eight countries, and our partnership with Messe München underlines the importance of the role that the EGIA has to play in the industry. The alliances we have formed over the past 12 months can only benefit all of us and we are looking forward to our second year with great enthusiasm." For further information please contact: Dirk Vinken, FGHS Jacqui Baldwin, Secretary to the EGIA Denmark Joins the EGIA 1st November 2002 The European Golf Industry Association, launched at 'Golf Europe' in October, has been further strengthened by the decision of the Danish Association of Golf Importers to join the organisation. This brings to seven the number of countries allied to the EGIA, with Germany, Sweden, the UK and Benelux countries already involved. The Danish association represents 35 member companies who are collectively responsible for around 90% of the country's annual golf product sales of 250 million Danish Krone. The golf market in Denmark has experienced significant growth in last decade with the number of golfers increasing by almost 250% since 1988. President of the Association, Mr Hans Knudsen of Acushnet Denmark, said: "We are pleased to be involved with this new organisation. The EGIA will provide an opportunity for the golf trade throughout Europe to work more closely together which can only benefit us all." Dirk Vinken, Chairman of the EGIA, welcomed the new members saying: "We are looking forward to working with our colleagues from Denmark. The launch of the EGIA in October received a very positive response from the wider golf community and the addition of another member country underlines the support there is in the industry for a European forum." Each member country has two representatives on the EGIA advisory
board which will meet two or three times a year to discuss issues
facing the industry throughout Europe. New European Industry Association 7th October 2002 A meeting of major brands and national golf trade associations held in Munich during Golf Europe has approved the formation of an alliance to be known as the 'European Golf Industry Association'. The founder members of this group are the Dutch, German, Swedish and British golf industry associations, although it is hoped that other countries will also become involved in the longer term. Dirk Vinken, Secretary of FGHS, the Dutch sporting goods federation, and first Chairman of the EGIA said: "I am delighted to announce the formation of this alliance which will benefit all our member companies. We now have a forum for sharing information and a platform to debate issues facing the industry throughout Europe." The parties first came together at the invitation of the British trade association during The Open Championship last year where, said Dirk, "There was a huge level of consensus around the table" A number of major brands have also been involved in promoting the formation of the EGIA including Acushnet, Bullet Golf, Caledonian Group, MacGregor, Nike, Ping, Powakaddy, Spalding Sports, Sunderland of Scotland and Wilson. "This is a very positive step forward for the industry" said Bob Smith, Chairman of the British Golf Industry Association "In golf, at last, we are beginning to realise that we have to work closer together to ensure the future growth and success of our sport." Johan Leffler, representing the Swedish Golf Distributors Association, said "We feel this alliance will be of great benefit to individual members of our associations and also to the wider golf community". |
