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Golf Business Community

The Golf Business Forum is a platform for professionals involved in the golf business industry to meet, learn, exchange ideas and do business at an exciting and memorable event.

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REGISTRATION OPENS IN MARCH

Why Italy?

A promising golf market

Italy has over 250 golf courses and 100,000 golfers, with approximately 0.2% of the population playing the game regularly. Capitalizing on an established inbound tourism market, and government support of master planned real estate developments, the country offers significant potential for growth. Italy is now making its mark as a golf tourism destination and is successfully nurturing young golfing talent with the World Cup winning Molinari brothers and European Tour sensation Matteo Manassero leading the way.

Our supporters

We are honored to present the Golf Business Forum 2012 in conjunction with Il Ciocco S.p.A. and with the support of the University of Lucca, a flagship educational center in Europe that provides courses in Golf Management within the Tourism Faculty.
The Golf Business Forum goes to Italy

The Golf Business Forum goes to Italy

Join us in Tuscany on 17-19 September 2012

Two days of knowledge sharing

Two days of knowledge sharing

Learn best practices from key industry figures

Unparalleled networking opportunities

Unparalleled networking opportunities

Do business with fellow golf business professionals

Memorable social events

Memorable social events

Network and enjoy yourself in a casual athmosphere

KPMG Lifetime Achievement Award

KPMG Lifetime Achievement Award

Shake hands with those who have made a difference

Event venue

Set in a natural, 2000-hectare park in the Serchio Valley, the historic Il Ciocco Tuscany Resort in Barga will be the perfect environment to network with golf business professionals and share market intelligence undisturbed, while enjoying the fascinating Tuscan setting.


In the summer of 2012, following an extensive renovation, the  resort with its 180 luxury rooms, first-class conference facilities and high-end amenities, will be the first  Renaissance Resort in Tuscany part of the Marriott Portfolio.

How to get there

Il Ciocco is located in the Apennine Mountains, in the proximity of Lucca. Your best option to fly to is the Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, which is an hour drive from the resort, with daily flight availability from several international airports. The Florence Airport is also just 90 minutes away.

Delegates of the GBF

A premium delegate mix from all industry sectors
Find out the people who are going to make a difference to your business in 2012.

Message from Andrea Sartori

Andrea Sartori, Head of KPMG's Golf Advisory Practice and founder of the Golf Business Forum reveals why Tuscany was chosen as the host destination of the 2012 event and explains why Italy offers potential for integrated golf resort and real estate developments. Read the interview

Agenda

As also justified in our survey among the Golf Business Community, the Mediterranean region will be one of the premium targets for many golf and real estate developers in the next 5-10 years. The Forum will analyze the prospects for integrated golf resort and real estate developments, with a special focus on the Mediterranean region. An Italian country focus session will reveal the opportunities the country provides. More details on the agenda to follow.

Lifetime Achievement Award 2012

Recognition for Mr. Dana Garmany
We are proud to announce Mr. Dana Garmany, Founder and CEO of Troon, the world’s largest golf management companies, as the recipient of our 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. Garmany's leadership at Troon helped create a company that continues to set standards for domestic and international daily fee, resort, and private golf courses.

Read our exclusive interview with Mr. Garmany about his professional achievements.
Golf Business Forum
"This conference has been absolutely outstanding. Every single topic has been discussed and it’s enlightening."
Gary Player
„We gather together now, the movers and shakers, the influencers, the people that really matter in the game, that can make a difference.”
Gill Wilson
Moderator, Golf Business Forum, Co-founder Firstgolf Ltd.
"Some of the best brains in the global business are here and being around them and engaging with them is just fascinating."
Don Riddell
News Correspondent, CNN
„The KPMG does a marvelous job in bringing the whole world of golf together.”
Tenniel Chu
Executive Director, Mission Hills, China
"The networking opportunities here are fantastic."
Andrew Stanley
CEO, Golfbreaks.com
"We’ve come to find out what the challenges are in the golf industry in all parts of the world."
Paul Smulders
CEO, National Golf Network
„It is great to see the trends and the different views of different developers, and consultants alike. But really we come here for the informal meetings we have with potential clients and collaborators on projects.”
John Goldwyn
Director of Planning&Landscape, London, WATG
"Meeting people from different parts of the world that I have never met before and stabling new relationships has been amazing. "
Steve Mona
CEO, World Golf Foundation
"It’s about exchanging ideas, building relationships and meeting with people who you’ve only spoken to on the phone."
Stephen Lewis
CEO, Crown Golf
„You think twice about where you want to go, where you want to spend your marketing dollars; this was definitely never a question to attend the forum this year, because of the openness and the sharing.”
Richard D. Centolella
Principal, EDSA
„Great way of meeting people in the industry, sharing best practices, looking at new ideas.” „We feel it is certainly one of the best conferences of its kind in golf.”
Christopher May
Dubai Golf
"The Golf Business Forum is now the place where the golf industry meets."
Jeremy Slessor
Managing Director, European Golf Design
„They make an effort to help us meet the right people, and that just makes your time here much more productive.”
Scott Ferrell
President, Gary Player Design
„There is no question I would come back again next year to attend a convention like this.”
Stephen Lewis
CEO, Crown Golf
„We are having the best people from the industry come here.”
Dr. Michael J. Hurdzan
President, Hurdzan/Fry Environmental Golf Course Design, ASGCA
„It is a great opportunity network; it is a great opportunity to build relationships with people.”
Annika Sörenstam
„Globally I think there are certain events that you have to go to. This will be one of those.”
Roger Moreland
COO, England Golf Partnership
"I found the networking invaluable - and I have achieved some new business attending."
Phil Lewin
Director, Club Car















Watch the intro video to the Golf Business Forum 2012

First time to the Golf Business Forum? Watch a 4-minute video with event history and delegate interviews to support your decision to attend.

Sponsorship & Exhibition

Broadcast your brand to the golf business
Exclusive benefits and networking opportunities are available for event patrons, sponsors and exhibitors.

Contact the GBF Team

KPMG's Golf Advisory Practice in EMA

KPMG Advisory Ltd.
H-1139 Budapest
Váci út 99.
Hungary

Tel: +36 1 887 7264
Fax: +36 1 887 6656

E-mail: gbf@kpmg.hu