PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- In response to new value-added event programs and cost-saving measures, the 2008 PGA Fall Expo is experiencing a surge in influential PGA-staffed facility and retail participation for the industry's annual fall marketplace, August 26-27, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PGA Professional and buyer registration has increased 6% over last year at this time and represents a wide variety of on-course shops, off-course retailers and mass merchandisers from 46 U.S. states and more than 60 countries.

"We have more business booked now for this month's PGA Fall Expo than we almost have time to accommodate," said Antigua Sales Director Tony Smith. "We expect a busy two days with current customers and look forward to establishing new accounts as well."

Jay Hubbard, Vice President of Marketing for Tour Edge, also anticipates brisk business at the 2008 PGA Fall Expo. "The PGA Fall Expo traditionally has been very busy for Tour Edge," said Hubbard. "This year, we are scheduling more advance appointments than ever before and expect a good deal of business to support our fall 2008 product launch."

New platforms for business solutions combined with sourcing from a more diverse vendor group, earlier timing, top-notch networking events and stand-out education seminars all offer one powerful and compact setting for PGA Professionals and retailers to grow their business.

"With the little hiccup in the economy this year, the difference between those golf facilities succeeding and those that aren't comes down to being able to exceed customer's expectations," said Ken Morton, PGA Professional and President of the Association of Golf Merchandisers. "The PGA Fall Expo offers a unique opportunity to look at new products that create retail excitement, to study in seminars that teach new methods of attracting customers and networking opportunities that share incredible insights on what's working around the industry, to having customers return again and again. There's absolutely no alternative nearly as effective as this show and its sister, The PGA Merchandise Show, to bettering your business."

A sampling of top PGA-staffed facilities and retailers participating include:

Adios Golf Club
Brentwood Country Club
Championsgate
Club Corp
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dillard's
East Lake Golf Club
Elite Golf Cruises (Carnival)
Fossil
Golf & Ski Warehouse
Golf Galaxy
Golf USA
Golfers Warehouse
Golfsmith
Haggin Oaks Golf
In Celebration of Golf
Inverrary Country Club
K & L Sports
Kaanapali Golf Resort
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Las Vegas Golf
Miami Golf & Country Club
Nevada Bob's Golf
Nicklaus Academies
Oakmont Country Club
Pelican Bay Country Club
PGA Tour Superstore
Ritz-Carlton
Riviera Country Club
Shadow Creek
Trump National Golf Club
Waikoloa Beach Resort

Additionally, PGA Professionals can review and connect with pre-registered PGA Professionals through their PGA Section Web sites.

The PGA Fall Expo annually attracts more than 4,000 international golf retailers and some 400 top golf vendors to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. In 2008, the PGA Fall Expo moves to "fashion week" in Las Vegas and is held on the same days as MAGIC, MODA, MRkt, and ACCESSORIES: The Show. The PGA Fall Expo is packed with product discovery, equipment testing, career education programs, professional networking events and opportunities to source unique vendors and merchandise. Additionally, the PGA Fall Expo Golf Tournament and Demo Day, Aug. 25 at Badlands Golf Club, has been expanded to include more than 40 equipment and golf accessories vendors and two tournaments with cash-prize awards for the top finishers.

The PGA Fall Expo is an industry-only event and is not open to the public. PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders can register, book travel and learn more about the 2008 PGA Fall Expo at www.pgaexpo.com.