African American Golf Expo and Forum Chooses The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Golf Capital, for Fourth Annual Event
The African American Golf Expo & Forum will be held in The Palm Beaches from August 23-27, 2024. Organized by Jim Beatty, Palm Beach County Sports Commission, and Malachi Knowles (Inner City Youth Golfers), the event will take place at several venues, including the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott, the Riviera Beach Marina Village – Event Center, and John Prince Park.
The African American Golf Expo & Forum aims to address the needs, concerns, trends, and issues faced by African Americans in golf. According to the National Golf Foundation, only 3% of the 24 million golfers in the United States are people of color. This event seeks to grow that number by fostering greater inclusion and diversity within the sport.
Schedule
- Expo Community Project: On August 23, join the inaugural expo community project at the Riviera Beach Heights Community Garden.
- Golf Clinic: The event will kick off on August 24 with a Golf Clinic for youth and adults at John Prince Park at 9:00 AM, followed by an Opening Reception at Bear Lake Country Club at 5:00 PM.
- Diversity Scramble: On August 25, attendees can participate in the Diversity Scramble at Martin Downs Country Club from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This club is notable for being one of the few black-owned golf clubs in Florida.
- Expo & Forum: From August 25-27, the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott will host the Expo & Forum, featuring seminars, conference sessions, and a trade show where industry executives, buyers, and suppliers can connect and showcase their products and services.
- Networking Opportunities: A Networking Session and Cocktail Hour will be held on August 26 at the Riviera Beach Marina Village – Event Center from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The event is expected to draw approximately 250 attendees and over 70 exhibitors from across the United States. It offers a unique platform for golf industry executives, consumer and industrial buyers, event rights holders, and suppliers to engage in meaningful discussions and explore business opportunities.
In addition to its professional and networking benefits, the African American Golf Expo & Forum will have a significant economic impact on Palm Beach County. The event is projected to generate $360,000 in visitor expenditures and 450 room nights, providing a substantial boost to local hotels and businesses during August, typically the slowest month of the year for tourism.
Jim Beatty Golf Ventures, based in Omaha, Nebraska, brings four decades of golf-related business experience to this event. The African American Golf Expo & Forum has previously been held in Louisville (2023) and Atlanta (2021-2022), and its fourth edition promises to be the best yet.
