Mark Cramer has been in the trade show and conference business for almost three decades, which is long enough for him to have learned that prognosticating usually doesn’t pay.
So when he’s asked if this week’s Denver Golf Expo — which Cramer runs along with his wife Lynn — could see a big upsurge in attendance, he doesn’t rise to the bait.
“I’m optimistic, but I don’t have a crystal ball,” Cramer, the president of Expo Masters, said on Monday. “I can’t project that.”
But following two years of dips in attendance after the record show of 2008, things are showing indications of improvement. So if the weather — and other factors — cooperate, the number of people who file through the doors at the Denver Merchandise Mart Friday through Sunday (Feb. 11-13) might tick upward.
The signs certainly appear positive after a couple of years when the recession took its toll. Cramer said the number of Expo exhibitors is up about 18 percent from last year, to the point that he’s opened up a portion of the Merchandise Mart’s floor that was shut down in 2010.
“Both on the exhibit side and looking at other things, it’s incredible,” Cramer said. “I’ve been tracking other consumer shows (at the Merchandise Mart) and they’re all 25-35 percent up on attendance. Couple that with a (strong) Christmas retail season, and I think it’s a fair assumption that people are tired of being scared. I think there’s pent-up demand and people are starting to spend and they’re not going to be afraid anymore. The trend is positive.”
With the Expo fast approaching, Cramer has been ramping up advertising for the event. He’s been hitting the usual traditional media, but this year he’s trying to also attract a younger demographic — 25-35 year-olds — by venturing into social media as well.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship with exhibitors; we try to provide as many people (attending) as possible,” Cramer said. “I really do believe in the win-win sort of stuff.”
That mentality includes many of the key players in Colorado golf, including the CGA, CWGA and the Colorado PGA.
For the third straight year, the CGA and CWGA will oversee the Colorado Junior Golf Experience, an interactive exhibit for youngsters that’s organized by the Allied Golf Associations of Colorado. As part of the commitment to exposing kids to the game, youngsters 16 and under will be admitted free to the Denver Golf Expo.
This year, many of the local men’s and women’s college golf programs will be on hand to help Junior Golf Experience participants with their games.
In addition, the ninth annual CGA/CWGA Junior Golf Swap, a key fundraising effort for junior developmental golf programs, will be held in association with the Expo. People can donate or consign golf clubs that will be sold during the three-day event. Officials hope to raise upwards of $9,000 through the Swap. For more information on the Golf Swap, click here.
As for Colorado PGA professionals, they will conduct half-hour swing seminars throughout the Expo, as well as give free 10-minute individual lessons. The Section also will sell raffle tickets, with the proceeds benefiting a major growth-of-the-game initiative that the Allied Golf Associations of Colorado are undertaking.
One thing the CGA/CWGA/PGA won’t be doing at this year’s Expo is conducting their usual two-day rules seminar. That event has been moved to April 2-3 at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver. (A public rules seminar, hosted by the CGA’s Pete Lis, will be held at noon Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.)
Beyond that, there will be a club demo area (pictured), plenty of golf and travel specials, and even some freebies. For more information on the Expo in general click here.
DENVER GOLF EXPO
What: The 18th annual Denver Golf Expo.
When: Feb. 11-13. Friday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), Sunday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.).
Where: Denver Merchandise Mart (I-25 and 58th Ave.).
Admission: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors (50 and over) and military and veterans; free for 16 and under.
Colorado PGA/CGA half-hour seminars: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, click here.
Junior Golf Swap: How to donate or consign clubs, with the proceeds benefiting junior developmental youth programs, click here.
