International Association of Golf Tour Operators coming to Charleston

The 6th International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC) will take place June 8-11, 2014 in Charleston, S.C. at the Charleston Area Convention Center with accommodations provided at the historic Mills House Hotel. The destination will host the three-day event, at which Peter Walton, president of IAGTO is confident will draw over 300 delegates from more than 20 different countries, an increase from the 275 delegates that attended NAC 2013 in Marco Island, Fla. A world-class golf destination, the coast of South Carolina was recognized as the Established Golf Destination of the Year at the 2009 IAGTO Awards as well as host of the 2012 PGA Championship, located at Kiawah Island Golf Resorts renowned Ocean Course.

We are honored to host this prestigious event and eager to show people that the Charleston area is a premier golf destination," said Ed Riggs, chairman of Charleston & Resort Islands Golf. We hope to raise the bar for what the IAGTO NAC can offer to golf tourism professionals in the future."

This annual golf travel and tourism industry event brings golf suppliers, venues and buyers together to learn the latest industry updates, research new tour package opportunities and book business. The first day of the NAC includes a two-hour speed dating session at which suppliers have the opportunity to introduce themselves to all buyers. This is followed by eight hours of meetings over the next two days where each supplier can have up to 36 appointments of 15 minutes each with tour operators that they wish to see. IAGTO NAC brings positive economic impact from hotel stays as well as food and beverage spending and shopping by conference attendees, plus the impact of future travel booked to the Charleston area as a result of so many golf tour operators experiencing it firsthand.

Social-networking functions for the conference include a welcome reception, dine-around, finale night and a golf tournament over two amazing golf courses sponsored by the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. With the 2014 U.S. Open scheduled for June 12-15 in Pinehurst, N.C., the IAGTO NAC being held in Charleston makes it easy for delegates to attend both events.

IAGTO's membership comprises 2,160 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist boards, approved media and business partners in 96 countries including, at its core, 525 specialist golf tour operators in 62 countries. It is estimated that IAGTOs operators control over 85 percent of golf vacation and holiday packages sold worldwide and with economic turnover of over $1 billion per year. IAGTO is headquartered in London. For more information on IAGTO, please visit www.iagto.com.

Charleston & Resort Islands Golf
More than 200 years ago, Charleston was the site of Americas first golf club. This heritage of golfing excellence is evident today. Guests have convenient access to more than 19 championship courses, created by legendary architects including Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, Gary Player, Arthur Hills, Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The area also offers plenty of year-round activity off the course. They range from historic tours and attractions to inshore and offshore fishing and award-winning dining, as well as a year-round calendar of festivals and events. www.charlestongolfguide.com

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