Innovation Changes, Relationships Endure. Lessons from the PGA Show

Innovation Changes, Relationships Endure. Lessons from the PGA Show

Twenty-five years ago, I walked into the PGA Show in Orlando for the very first time. I wasn’t there as a keynote speaker or industry insider — I was an artist with a dream, surrounded by leaders I admired, quietly wondering where I might fit in an industry that already seemed to have it all figured out.

That week, one conversation changed everything. I left the show with a commission to paint Congressional Country Club and invited to come and paint at Pebble Beach — a moment that reshaped my career and reminded me that opportunity often shows up disguised as a conversation.

This past week, my associate Joy and I returned — not to exhibit, not to sell, but simply to observe. What we witnessed was remarkable. The pace of innovation in this industry is breathtaking: technology, fashion, equipment, club amenities — everything moving faster, smarter, and more refined than ever. And yet, as someone who speaks often about leadership and growth, what struck me most wasn’t what had changed — it was what hadn’t.

Three Leadership Reflections from the PGA Show

Innovation Is Essential — But It’s Not the Differentiator
Innovation is everywhere. The PGA Show proves that organizations willing to invest in progress, technology, and creativity will stay relevant. But innovation alone no longer sets leaders apart. What distinguishes great organizations is how they apply innovation — with purpose, clarity, and an understanding of the people they serve. Progress without perspective rarely lasts.

Relationships Are the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
One of the most meaningful moments of our visit was reconnecting with my longtime friend Dewitt Miles, who has spent 35 years with Titleist. Surrounded by hundreds of new products and first-time exhibitors, his career stood as a quiet reminder that trust is built over time — not through transactions, but through consistency. Titleist’s commitment to performance and quality reflects a leadership principle we often overlook: enduring success is rooted in relationships, not trends.

Culture Is Built in the Unscripted Moments
Amid the impressive displays and serious conversations were moments of humor and humanity — familiar faces, shared laughter, even a Sasquatch wandering the show floor. Those moments matter. Culture isn’t defined in mission statements alone; it’s shaped in everyday interactions. Leaders who allow space for authenticity, personality, and connection create environments where people want to stay — and contribute.

A Closing Thought

Walking out of the PGA Show, I was reminded that leadership — like art — is rarely about perfection. It’s about awareness, timing, and relationships. Twenty-five years ago, a single conversation opened a door I couldn’t have predicted. This year, a simple visit reaffirmed that while innovation fuels momentum, it’s human connection that sustains it.

In every industry, the challenge is the same:
 how do we grow without losing what matters most? 

The answer, I believe, lies in remembering that while tools evolve, 
trust and relationship remain timeless.