The International Network of Golf has chosen four presenters for its unique speaking concept called ING Talks at its 28th Annual ING Spring Conference May 20-23 at the IP Casino Resort & Spa in Biloxi, MS.

The ING Spring Conference is the annual gathering of golf media and industry executives, and is conducted by the non-profit, media-based International Network of Golf. Anyone in the golf industry or media is eligible to attend.

ING Talks is structured similarly to TED, a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks of 18 minutes or less. But ING Talks has a narrower focus on subject matter. The objective is to provide conference attendees (media and industry leaders) with helpful information they can utilize in their own businesses and careers.

That is the true essence of ING, whose members come together to help each other flourish in the golf industry. ING is about information sharing, education, product exposure and relationship building.

The ING reviewed all the proposals that came in and determined the following subjects for ING Talks at the conference:

Topic:  Do We Really Consider Time When Making Operational Decisions? – Mike Hendrix, VP, GolfNow Business Services/Golf Channel.This talk will focus on the decision processes we use to determine what we will spend our time on each day and the opportunity before us to use a new approach that will align with the unique business model each of our organizations operates by.

Topic – The State of Print / Digital Media in the U.S – Timothy R. Branco, President, New England DOT Media.Subject matter will bring to light a better understanding of various media models in today’s marketplace. Items include industry trends, print relevance, digital relevance and best case practices.

Topic: Breaking Into The Golf Business – Joseph Jung, golf industry sales veteran – This topic will offer advice on how companies of all types and sizes can survive in the golf industry.

Topic: Building a True Community for Your Brand – Rob Camper, CEO, Corridor Brand Group When you see yourself as a community leader for your audience (customers), instead of a profit margin manager, the former replaces the need for the latter.

Along with the new ING Talks concept, the conference will feature a full schedule of networking and educational events, including the popular One-On-One Appointment Show, where exhibitors conduct a series of 15-minute meetings with media members and attendees of their choice. Also on the schedule:

  • DEMO LAB: This is a wonderful opportunity for attendees to test the latest golf equipment and training aids on the practice range and green.
  • EDUCATION: Sessions include Marketing & PR, Social Media Marketing and more.
  • GOLF: The World Amateur Golfers Championship, USA National Qualifier will take place Monday on the Davis Love-designed Shell Landing Golf Club. This individual stroke play net competition will be divided into five flights. Winners of those flights will earn complimentary entry and accommodations in the World Amateur Golfers Championship, USA National Championship Aug. 2-4 at the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, MS. In recent years, ING Qualifiers John Duval and Jim Smith have won their flights in the National Championship and went on to represent the USA in the World Championship.

Also, the 11th Annual Durland Cup team scramble will take place The Oaks Golf Club on Wednesday.

  • NETWORKING: Several networking sessions are planned, including the Opening Night Welcome Reception and the Tuesday Night Banquet.

To register for the ING Conference, or to find out more about ING, visit www.inggolf.com, or call 407-328-0500.