Upcoming AGM Events Calendar

The Association of Golf Merchandisers' educational seminars and events are open to all interested golf buyers/merchandisers and golf professionals.

For additional information or to register for any AGM event, please call us at AGM 602-604-8250 or contact us and be sure to include your address and telephone number.

The AGM Scholarship 2023 - Empowering The Next Generation of Golf Merchandisers

Education remains at the forefront of the Association of Golf Merchandisers' (AGM) mission. As we pave the path for the next generation of innovators in the golf merchandising industry, we are thrilled to announce the AGM Scholarship for 2023. This initiative is our testament to nurturing talent and guiding passionate students toward their dreams in the realm of golf merchandising.

A Glimpse into the AGM Scholarship

The AGM Scholarship, a beacon of hope for aspiring students, is not just monetary support; it’s a commitment from the AGM community to back students with verifiable experience in golf merchandising. For the academic year 2023-2024, scholarships will be awarded based on the merit of applications and the availability of funds. Winners will have the scholarship funds sent directly to their respective colleges, universities, or technical institutes.

Are You Eligible?

If you’re actively seeking a career in golf merchandising and are enrolled in an accredited educational institution, this opportunity awaits you! Applicants need to furnish “strong and verifiable evidence” of their commitment to a golf merchandising career. Academic excellence, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, is mandatory, and students must have successfully completed their freshman year and be enrolled for the 2023-2024 academic year.

How to Apply?

Navigating the application process is straightforward:

  1. Fill out the official application form by November 1, 2023. To access online, click https://agm.itinio.net/gallery/agm_v4/1/287/items/C0EC5C0A-E692-43A0-937AF30D5E1DF6D1.pdf
  2. Pen down an essay (350-500 words) elucidating your career objectives, interest in golf merchandising, and reasons for deserving the scholarship.
  3. Arrange for your college transcript to be sent to AGM.
  4. Garner a letter of recommendation from both an advisor or professor and a golf professional, merchandiser, or supplier.
  5. Finally, ensure you sign, date, and submit your application to AGM's noted address by the stipulated deadline.

For the official application form and any further queries, reach out to the AGM Headquarters at 602-604-8250 or drop an email at info@agmgolf.org. Ensure all applications and related information reach us by November 1, 2023.

To our esteemed membership, this is a golden opportunity for your employees and staff. Share the word, guide them through this process, and let's collectively empower the torchbearers of the future golf merchandising industry.

To register: Contact AGM  Phone: 6026048250  Email: info@agmgolf.org

AGM CERTIFIED RETAIL MANAGER PROGRAM (CRM)
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS & SCHEDULE

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE 2023 CRM CLASS SCHEDULE

RETAIL STRATEGIES 101: Introduction to Buying
Class length: 60 minutes

This session offers an introduction to the basics of retail strategies and covers the following topics:

  • Planning your merchandise mix.
  • Vendor selection.
  • Basic retail fundamentals.

Prerequisites: None

RETAIL STRATEGIES 201: Retail Metrics
Class length: 120 minutes

This session focuses on retail metrics and builds off the topics covered in Retail Strategies 101 and focuses on:

  • Turnover rates and their importance
  • How to price merchandise with a focus on profitability
  • How to calculate appropriate average inventory levels

Prerequisites: None required; Completion of Retail Strategies 101 recommended.

RETAIL STRATEGIES 301: Developing an Inventory Plan and Open-to-Buy
Class length: 120 minutes

This hands-on workshop focuses on developing a sound inventory plan for your facility and teaches you how to create an Open-to-Buy. This advanced session covers:

  • Forecasting Retail Sales, Cost of Sales, and Turnover to arrive at an average inventory level for your facility.
  • How to create a monthly inventory plan for your facility
  • Bring your metrics to this workshop and leave with a series of spreadsheets that can be used at your facility.

Prerequisites: Retail Strategies 101 and 201 must be completed prior to and test passed for admittance into Retail Strategies 301

RETAIL STRATEGIES 401: Masters Class on Open-to-Buy Utilization
Class length: 120 minutes

This is the final session presented by the AGM for the Retail Manager Certification program. Bring the spreadsheets created from Retail Strategies 301 - Developing an Inventory Plan Workshop to this class. The master class focuses on:

  • Utilization of the Total Shop Open-to-Buy Plan developed in Retail Strategies 301 for order placement and inventory management.
  • How to develop an Open-to-Buy plan for every department.
  • Vendor Analysis and Buying Plans.
  • Training on how to use the Open-to-Buy for order placement and inventory management.

Prerequisites: Successful completion and testing of Retail Strategies Series 101, 201 and 301.

Additional requirements to achieve AGM Certified Retail Manager (CRM) status:

VISUAL MERCHANDISING SEMINAR
Class length: 90 minutes

This session covers the basic principles of effective Visual Merchandising from floor layout and fixtures to the importance ot telling a story with your displays and prop. Photos of AGM Platinum Award Winning Golf Shops and more will be used as examples of the best practives in Visual Merchandising. This seminar focuses on:

  • The importance ot telling a sttory in your displays.
  • Building creative displays through color, folding and props.
  • Effective floor layout and fixturing.

Prerequisites: None

PROMOTIONS WORKSHOP
Class length: 60 minutes

This session covers the basics of planning and executing successful merchandise promotions and golf events at your facility. The five steps of selling and tools for motivating your staf to sell will also be discussed. Key takeaways will include:

  • How promotions can help your business.
  • How to plan and run a successful promotion.
  • Five steps of selling and motivating your staff to sell.

Prerequisites: None

3 Additional AGM Courses/Seminars/Webinars of your Choice*

These educational seminars can be of your choosing and can be taken at a regional or national level.

*Pricing for the Certified Retail Manager Program does NOT include possible fees incurred for the three additional AGM courses/seminars/webinars that are required to receive certification. These fees can vary depending on in-person versus online particiation.

Submission of the Merchandise Portfolio

The portfolio is to include:

  • Cover letter
  • Application for Certified Retail Manager Accreditation
  • Six (6) photographs of visual displays
  • Open-to-Buy Plan for your facility
  • Promotional Calendar and Marketing Plan

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE 2023 CRM CLASS SCHEDULE

AGM CERTIFIED RETAIL MANAGER PROGRAM (CRM)

Online Webinars

THE FUTURE IS NOW!

No matter the size, today's golf shops are seeking more profitable retail operations that require a cohesive buying plan. Yet, many merchandisers, buyers and golf professionals struggle to bring their big ideas to fruition. The real challenge lies in understanding retail metrics and applying key figures to improve sales, cost of sales, gross profit, inventory turnover and dollar-per-round.

Many golf shop operators understand that innovation and success call for a different set of activities, skills, methods and leadership approaches. And it is well understood that thriving in business and merely surviving often cone down to a basic set of skills.

In the AGM's Certified Retail Manager Program, you will learn buying strategies allowing you to:

ADDRESS critifcl strategy questions such as:

  • How to plan your merchandise mix
  • How to calculate inventory levels
  • How to buy with a focus on profitability

EXPLORE the basic fundamentals of how to run a retail golf shop.

LEARN the importance of building and utilizing an Open-to-Buy and the importance of increasing turn rates and managing inventory levels.

DISCOVER how to avoid the industry's most common buying pitfalls, how to buy using a proven model of success and how to quickly learn from experience.

Click here for CRM Brochure with program Details, Fees and Certification Requirements

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

2023 AGM CERTIFIED RETAIL MANAGER PROGRAM (CRM)
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS & SCHEDULE

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE 2023 CLASS SCHEDULE

RETAIL STRATEGIES 101: Introduction to Buying
Class length: 90 minutes

This session offers an introduction to the basics of retail strategies and covers the following topics:

  • Planning your merchandise mix.
  • Vendor selection.
  • Basic retail fundamentals.

Prerequisites: None

RETAIL STRATEGIES 201: Retail Metrics
Class length: 90 minutes

This session focuses on retail metrics and builds off the topics covered in Retail Strategies 101 and focuses on:

  • Turnover rates and their importance
  • How to price merchandise with a focus on profitability
  • How to calculate appropriate average inventory levels

Prerequisites: None required; Completion of Retail Strategies 101 recommended.

RETAIL STRATEGIES 301: Developing an Inventory Plan and Open-to-Buy
Class length: 90 minutes

This hands-on workshop focuses on developing a sound inventory plan for your facility and teaches you how to create an Open-to-Buy. This advanced session covers:

  • Forecasting Retail Sales, Cost of Sales, and Turnover to arrive at an average inventory level for your facility.
  • How to create a monthly inventory plan for your facility
  • Bring your metrics to this workshop and leave with a series of spreadsheets that can be used at your facility.

Prerequisites: Retail Strategies 101 and 201 must be completed prior to and test passed for admittance into Retail Strategies 301

RETAIL STRATEGIES 401: Masters Class on Open-to-Buy Utilization
Class length: 90 minutes

This is the final session presented by the AGM for the Retail Manager Certification program. Bring the spreadsheets created from Retail Strategies 301 - Developing an Inventory Plan Workshop to this class. The master class focuses on:

  • Utilization of the Total Shop Open-to-Buy Plan developed in Retail Strategies 301 for order placement and inventory management.
  • How to develop an Open-to-Buy plan for every department.
  • Vendor Analysis and Buying Plans.
  • Training on how to use the Open-to-Buy for order placement and inventory management.

Prerequisites: Successful completion and testing of Retail Strategies Series 101, 201 and 301.

Additional requirements to achieve AGM Certified Retail Manager (CRM) status:

VISUAL MERCHANDISING SEMINAR
Class length: 60 minutes

This session covers the basic principles of effective Visual Merchandising from floor layout and fixtures to the importance ot telling a story with your displays and prop. Photos of AGM Platinum Award Winning Golf Shops and more will be used as examples of the best practives in Visual Merchandising. This seminar focuses on:

  • The importance ot telling a sttory in your displays.
  • Building creative displays through color, folding and props.
  • Effective floor layout and fixturing.

Prerequisites: None

PROMOTIONS WORKSHOP
Class length: 60 minutes

This session covers the basics of planning and executing successful merchandise promotions and golf events at your facility. The five steps of selling and tools for motivating your staf to sell will also be discussed. Key takeaways will include:

  • How promotions can help your business.
  • How to plan and run a successful promotion.
  • Five steps of selling and motivating your staff to sell.

Prerequisites: None

3 Additional AGM Courses/Seminars/Webinars of your Choice*

These educational seminars can be of your choosing and can be taken at a regional or national level.

*Pricing for the Certified Retail Manager Program does NOT include possible fees incurred for the three additional AGM courses/seminars/webinars that are required to receive certification. These fees can vary depending on in-person versus online participation.

Submission of the Merchandise Portfolio

The portfolio is to include:

  • Cover letter
  • Application for Certified Retail Manager Accreditation
  • Six (6) photographs of visual displays
  • Open-to-Buy Plan for your facility
  • Promotional Calendar and Marketing Plan

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE 2023 CRM CLASS SCHEDULE