DeVos Place Attracts Golf Show

GRAND RAPIDS — DeVos Place has its first hole-in-one.

The 16th Annual West Michigan Golf Show is moving to the new $211 million facility for its Feb. 6-8 show.

Produced by ShowSpan Inc., the West Michigan Golf Show attracts thousands of avid golfers to hundreds of exhibits, interactive golf areas, contests, clinics and free lessons.

The convention center offers a huge, pillar-free hall, high ceilings and an improved traffic pattern for patrons and exhibitors.

In addition to 250,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, there are more than 50 restaurants and nightclubs within walking distance of the show.

“We’re very excited about moving next door (from the Grand Center) into the DeVos Place,” said Carolyn Peticols Alt, show manager. “We’ll have tons of room for our always popular retail exhibitors while increasing space for not only Michigan resorts and courses but for our growing list of out-of-state and Sunbelt destinations. This show will be the biggest and best attended winter golf event in West Michigan.”

The West Michigan Golf Show is a cost-effective and proven marketing and sales tool to reach thousands of upscale and avid golfers, said Alt. She offered results from a survey taken at the 2003 show revealing that 82 percent take at least one golf vacation per year, 66 percent play more than 30 rounds of golf per year, 46 percent had income over $80,000 and 74 percent purchased products at the show.

The West Michigan Golf Show, which benefits local charities such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Alzheimer’s Association of West Michigan, is now accepting applications for exhibit space. Complete show details can be obtained by visiting

www.westmichigangolfshow.com