The PGA of America is a familial organization, so it makes perfect sense that the Association provides a wealth of networking opportunities throughout the year that add value to membership. Attending events such as the PGA Show or PGA Buying Summit, the PGA Annual Meeting or conferences and seminars held by PGA Magazine are all chances to spend time with and learn from your peers.
“You’re part of an organization with 31,000-plus Members, and there’s tremendous value in that,” Lindert says. “Whether it’s a week at the PGA Show in Orlando, attending the PGA Annual Meeting or playing in a Section event with your peers, you get hours of time with people from different areas and different types of expertise to get to know them, create a bond and make them part of your network going forward.”
The PGA Annual Meeting in particular is an event many PGA of America Members enjoy attending each year to hear directly about Association business and also to connect with Members from across the country. According to Morgan, it may be an underutilized Member benefit.
"I don’t think everyone knows that all PGA of America Members are invited to the PGA Annual Meeting, not just delegates and officers,” she says. “There’s so much insight to be gained, and you really get a feel for the passion that our leaders have for our Association and the game. It’s a great way to learn about PGA governance and get involved.”
The 2024 PGA of America Annual Meeting is set for Nov. 4–7 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The next PGA of America Secretary will be elected during the meeting and other Association business will be conducted, and there are many hospitality opportunities for attendees to network with each other.
The publisher of PGA Magazine also creates a number of unique chances for PGA of America Members to learn from and network with each other throughout the year. The group hosts approximately 160 events annually, from invitation-only PGA Magazine Conference Series events like the PGA Golf Professional of the Year Conference at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon to one-day regional conferences on topics like clubfitting, merchandising and golf fitness.
“One of the great things about golf is that it brings together people that are focused on one common thing, and that’s the enjoyment of the game,” Easterbrook says. “Everybody’s busy, but I encourage PGA of America Members to get active in at least a couple of networking events each year.
“The networking will pay off, whether it’s meeting someone who could be your next employee or employer, or just sharing ideas and learning about this business from other leaders in the industry. It helps you understand what’s going on out there, and it’s also kind of fun to spend time with your peers.”