St Andrews to Host 2013 Golf Business Forum

KPMG has announced the 2013 Golf Business Forum will take place at the Home of Golf, order St Andrews, therapy Scotland, herbal 3-5 June, 2013.

Fairmont St Andrews will host the special 10th anniversary edition of the annual conference, which has become the most important golf industry event in Europe, the Middle East andAfrica, bringing together up to 300 leading players from the golf, real estate, finance and tourism sectors from more than 40 countries.

The event, which is being supported by VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and Fife Council, with the assistance of Golf TourismScotland, attracts some of the biggest names in golf, and has previously welcomed golfing icons Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Annika Sorenstam.

Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice, said: “As the Golf Business Forum is celebrating its 10th anniversary, it is appropriate that we should meet at the Home of Golf,St Andrews.

“Over the past decade, we have welcomed many of the most powerful people in golf and business, and significant ideas and introductions have been made – it was here that the European Tour’s Race toDubaiwas conceived and first discussed. The calibre of the delegates remains extremely high and, for many, networking is what the Golf Business Forum is all about.

“The event remains focused on the development of golf venues and facilities internationally, andScotlandhas been immensely influential in the export of golf as a sport and business for more than a century. The next two years are an especially important time forScotland, as it looks forward to hosting The Ryder Cup in 2014, and a number of new golf courses, resorts and golf-related real estate projects continue to be developed.”

Andrea Sartori added: “We are working hard to make this the best Golf Business Forum yet and we look forward to welcoming an international audience of influential investors, developers, golf industry professionals and decision makers for three days of networking, market insights and business.”

The Fairmont St Andrews, venue of the Golf Business Forum, was named European Golf Resort of the Year 2012 by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), and the 2011 Golf Resort of the Year by Golf TourismScotland.

Set on a 520-acre coastal estate with views over St Andrews and theNorth Sea, the resort and spa features luxury accommodation and conferencing facilities, plus two championship golf courses, The Torrance and The Kittocks.

Visit Scotland Chairman, Mike Cantlay, said: “This is great news for the visitor economy and a fantastic opportunity to invite some of the world’s biggest investors in the game of golf toScotland. As the Home ofGolf,Scotlandis well used to hosting the world’s biggest events and in terms of golf and business combined, they don’t come bigger than the KPMG Golf Business Forum.

“As Scotlandprepares to welcome the world, the next few years are a busy and exciting time for the sport and it is entirely fitting that the 10th anniversary of the Golf Business Forum will be held inSt Andrews, where both the game and the business of golf began.

“The addition of the Golf Business Forum to a calendar that includes major events such as The Ryder Cup and Open Championships signals Scotland’s intent that it is open for business and ready to invest in the future of the game. As we do with every other major event inScotland, VisitScotland will work hard with our partners to ensure the Golf Business Forum is an outstanding success.”

The Golf Business Forum, developed by KPMG’s Golf Advisory Services in Budapest, is a unique platform for professionals involved in the golf business industry to meet, learn, exchange ideas and do business at an exciting and memorable event. The GBF has quickly established itself as the foremost golf industry event. Since it was introduced in 2004, KPMG has held nine successful Golf Business Forums, each year taken to a different venue and location, such asHungary,CzechRepublic,Cyprus,Ireland,Wales,Turkey,DubaiandItaly.