Tag: United States

How Much Is The Golf Industry Worth

Industry

Golf….You’re thinking Tiger Woods, groomed courses and televised tournaments, the swing of the club, the sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup and the sweet smell of freshly mowed greens. However, economists think of something different- they think of 62 billion dollars!

This figure was calculated by GOLF 20/20, a project focusing on the golf-industry and its growth and run by the World Golf Foundation.

Sixty-two billion dollars is not how much it costs these economists to play golf, but is instead the figure representing the total worth of the golf industry (as of 2000). This staggering figure sums up golf facility operations, investments in courses, supplies, media, tournaments and charities as well as hospitality, tourism and real estate.

GOLF 20/20 was conducted by an independent research SRI International and was presented by Peter Ryan at the annual GOLF 20/20 conference, appropriately held in St. Augustine, Florida. The World Golf Foundation sponsors GOLF 20/20 in order to help grow the sport, and 2002 marked the first release of an estimate of the overall value of the industry. This estimate will help predict the growth of the game in years to come.

So far, past estimates have been overtaken by actual growth. In the past fifteen years the golf industry has grown so rapidly that it outran inflation and blew away estimates made in the 1980s. According to this growth, it is estimated that the industry will hold 55 million participants by 2020. Compared to other industries such as sound recording and the amusement, gambling and recreation industry, the golf industry is around $10 billion ahead.

A large amount of the golf industry depending on charitable golf tournaments, of which there were over 140,000 each year in the United States as of 2002. In total, around 15 million golfers participated in these events in 2002 grossing over $2.9 million for charity. Professional golf tournaments alone generate between $75 and $100 million, leading to an estimated total of $3,225,000,000, not including contributions made by corporations within the golf industry.

The 2002 Golf economy report (also generated by GOLF 20/20) suggests about 36 million people participated in the golf industry in that year and over 15,000 regulation courses exist for these millions of participants.

Within the golf industry, two different industries are cited by the 2002 study. First are the “core” industries of golf courses, golf wear, golf equipment, and anything else directly created for the sole use of the golf industry. The second industry includes media while real estate, tourism and travel, making up the “enabled” industry relying on golf for a large amount of business.

The core industries within golf generate the bulk of its value at $38.8 billion, while the enabled industries generate the remaining $23.4 billion.

In 2002 the total expense of golf supplies, equipment, apparel and books or magazine ended at $6 billion with the apparel market alone generation $1 billion. This marks an 11 percent growth in the golf apparel market since 1984.

Major golf tournaments grosses $871 million in 2000, as generated by fees, broadcast rights costs, corporate sponsors and spectator tickets and merchandise sales. Individual golfer endorsement earnings together were worth $225 million, also contributing greatly to the golf economy.
Finally, the real estate industry has generated $264 billion in new home construction on golf courses. The 1.5 million homes constructed in 2002 to make this total increase in value due to their location on or near a golf course.

All in all, the golf industry provides much more than an enjoyable game. This industry significantly contributes to the world economy through direct and indirect means and provides for wonderful entertainment to millions. GOLF 20/20 will continue to track the golf industry and look forward to rapid growth in the coming future.

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Avoid Car Theft With These Easy Precautions

Car

Car theft has been a problem in the United States since cars were invented. A car or other vehicle is stolen in the United States every 28.8 seconds according to 2008 data from the FBI. The chances of your car being stolen in the U.S. are 1 in 210 according to data from federal agencies and the Insurance Information Institute. The odds vary geographically. The Northeast has the lowest incidence of vehicle thefts, about 9.8 percent, and the Midwest 18.2 percent. The South and West have the highest percentage of vehicle thefts, about 36 percent each. Your chances of having your car stolen are highest in urban areas.
The III reported dismal statistics in 2007 on apprehending car thieves, with an arrest rate of only 12.6 percent. Furthermore, the the National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that year that 41 percent of stolen vehicles were never recovered. If your car is stolen, there isn’t much you can do after the fact except call the police and file an insurance claim. Meanwhile, you won’t have transportation unless you either rent a car or go out and buy another one. It’s much better to take the following precautions to prevent car theft before it happens to you.
* Lock up. Newer cars are easier than ever to secure when you step away even for a few minutes, with automatic locks and remote key fobs. Close your sunroof and roll up your windows before you leave. Avoid starting your car to warm it up unless you’re sitting in it. An idling vehicle with the keys in the ignition takes mere seconds to steal and drive away.
* Parking is an issue, both at home and away. At home, use your garage and lock it up, especially night. On-street parking can be a haven for thieves, especially in high-crime areas, so choose spots with good lighting and a good flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
* Avoid tempting thieves. Leaving an extra key somewhere in the vehicle or attached to the frame is asking to get your car stolen, because crooks know where to look. Your registration and insurance papers are another factor that can make a thief’s job that much easier–not only can he grab your car, but he can steal your identity. Instead, make copies of the papers and hand out a set to each person in your family that drives. Finally, don’t leave your valuables in your car while it’s parked. Many insurance companies have stopped paying claims for items like cell phones and music players that were stolen from vehicles, and they’re too great a temptation for thieves.
* If you want to add an extra shield of protection, a number of devices are available that can go a long way toward making your car theftproof.
Car security comes in many types and price ranges. At the most basic level, a simple steering wheel lock or brake pedal lock is an inexpensive way to secure your vehicle and is visible to thieves who might be sizing your vehicle up.
A car alarm is a highly effective way to chase thieves away from your car and alert law enforcement in the area. An alarm system is simply a sensing device attached to noisemakers like sirens and horns. Sophisticated alarm systems go beyond the basic door trigger switch found in low-end systems and use motion detectors, sound sensors that pick up the pitch of glass breaking, air pressure detectors that know when a car door is open, and even sensors that know when your vehicle is being driven up a ramp onto a thief’s flatbed trailer.
The kill switch is a relatively new development in vehicle security. These anti-theft devices work by keeping your car from starting unless you supply the correct inputs. Special ignition keys that release a radio signal to unlock your car’s starting system are especialy popular. Other lockout devices may disable your car’s fuel or electrical system while you’re away.
Tracking devices can use either the cars onboard GPS system or radiofrequency technology to track your cars whereabouts after its stolen and increase your chances of getting it back. Some insurance companies offer their customers discounts on tracking devices as well as a premium discount for using these technologies.
Car thieves love the Cadillac Escalade, the Hummer, and other big, luxurious SUVs because they can be resold for so much money. The 2005 and newer Dodge Charger is another favorite of crooks. If you’re shopping for a new car, keep in mind that a small car is one-eighth as likely to be stolen as an SUV. The all-time least popular vehicle with car thieves is the Volvo S70.

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The Wedding Industry – History, Facts And Whatnot

Industry

In 2008, more than two million couples married in the United States alone. While in Canada, around 115,000 marriages happen daily. China, the most populous country, has 9 million marrying couples every year, spending $19,900 dollars per wedding. Such an escalating rate attracted many capitalists to what we know today as the wedding industry.

The wedding industry is composed of many business enterprises including the jewelleries, caterers, couture, flower shops, printing press, music, transportation, photography and videography. Because no company provide all of this in one-stop shop, the wedding planning sector also emerged to relieve couples from the stress. A recent study showed that one out of two brides hire a wedding consultant for the planning.

This industry has further expanded to education sector. The increasing number of schools offering certification on wedding planning and management is an evident of a sustainable industry.

In discussing such occasion with a wedding planner, the usual spending goes to reception cite, engagement ring, honeymoon, wedding rings, photography and video, rehearsal dinner, bridal gown, bridal accessories, bridesmaids, flowers, music, limousines or any transportation, formal wear, and the clergy or chapel.

The industry started as a potential commerce when women were regarded as a commodity and sold in exchange for valuable goods like cattle and grain. In history, wedding ceremonies mark the alliances of powerful tribes or families known today as arranged marriages. The following decades have changed but weddings still played an important role in the society. In some countries, a wedding ceremony reflects the societal status and economic class of a couple. Hence, lavishness in gowns, themes, and reception has become a trend.

Globalization further contributed to the growing industry. As the 60’s and 70’s marked the non-traditional wedding ‘a ceremony outside the church’ destination wedding becomes a vogue. Tourism turned out to be an important economic factor giving ample revenue to countries. The weddings of Hollywood artists greatly intensified the trend.

For example, a traditional Japanese wedding would cost a couple an average of $70,000 according to the Census of Japan in 2005. Because marrying in Guam is cheaper by 60%, the Pacific Daily News reported a 25% wedding of Japanese couple in Guam last year.

Las Vegas, Nevada is ranked as number one city where most couple from all over the world plan to wed, with around 106,000 weddings a year. It is followed by Istanbul, Turkey with 92,000 annually. Gatlinburg in Tennessee and New Orleans in Louisiana, both in the United States, are the next in line respectively. Expensive destination weddings are the Caribbean, Mexico, and almost all parts of Europe.

The Philippine wedding suppliers also penetrated the global market in 2008. Banquet Specialty Shoppe Inc. provide services to several Asia Pacific events. The Jardin de Miramar gained recognition internationally when it was featured in the international news agencies Associated Press and Reuters. Led by Mr. Lito Genilo, the Smart Shot Studio received recognitions from the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and its local counterpart, Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP).

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Wrecked Car What to do with your wrecked cars

Car

Due to the increased number of accidents that happen in the United States and around the world, the question of what to do with a wrecked car is constantly being asked. However, before we focus on what you can do with a wrecked car, let us look on what exactly is classified as a wrecked car. A car that falls under the classification of being wrecked is one that cannot be easily repaired and has been written off by law. If you have a car that falls under the wrecked category, you are now wondering what you can do with it and luckily for you, there are so many options available to you.

Your first option is to sell the car or part it out:

Selling a wrecked car is quite self explanatory but you must be wondering who will buy a wrecked car? Purchasing wrecked vehicles have become a very lucrative business and there are numerous companies on and off the internet that specializes in this area. When selling a wrecked vehicle, do not think about selling it to an individual, unless they plan to sell the parts or use the parts to repair a car of their own. When selling a wrecked car, your best option is to sell it to a company. These companies will buy your car and give you much more than you expected for it.

However, instead of selling the car, you also have the option to part it out. This means that you will sell the car parts to people who want them. The buying and selling of used parts have become a huge business these days and selling your wrecked car part for part can be the most profitable option for you. However, if these options are not for you, your next option is to scrap the car.

Scrapping a wrecked car

If you opt to scrap your car, you will need to take it to a junk yard. At these junk yards, you will come into contact with various other junk vehicles. These companies will purchase the car and some of them will even come to your home and pick it up for free. These junk yards will then sell the working parts after awhile. This option is similar to selling the parts yourself, however, with this option, you will make less money than if you were to do the work and sell the car part for part.

Whats the best option? Should you sell the car, scrap it, or part it off?

All the options presented to you will bring in some cash; however, if you want the best option, many people will tell you something different but what we say is to sell the car. However, you will need to be careful about where and who you sell your wrecked cars to because not everyone will give you a fare deal.

Car Sales Jobs Dubai

Car

One of the best things about working in the car industry, especially on the sales side, is that you can work from anywhere. Along the coast of the Persian Gulf is the city of Dubai, and car sales jobs in Dubai can be among the most desirable in the industry.

Car sales jobs in Dubai are popular among middle-east salespeople because of the location. Dubai has a very diverse culture with a mixture of people from all over Europe. It is known widely for its nightlife. In fact, The New York Times rated it first in its travel choice for partying in 2008. Car sales jobs in Dubai are popular because salespeople can live in a beautiful city known for its extremities while selling to people who have a higher net income than most anywhere in Europe.

Car sales jobs in Dubai come in a few different forms.

There are the basic car sales jobs in Dubai, where salespeople work from either a local or regional dealership and sell to those living in their region. Or there are the external car sales jobs in Dubai, where salespeople work on location but sell unique European cars all over the world, shipping the vehicles to their customers.

Lets take a brief look at the two options for car sales jobs in Dubai:

Local and regional: Much like you will find anywhere worldwide car dealerships exist in order to fill the transportation needs of the community. Those looking for the basic car sales jobs in Dubai should look around the Persian Gulf and the busier areas of Dubai for dealerships. Most of the more prestigious dealerships set up shop around here and to find the best possible commission jobs you should look here first.

Most car sales jobs in Dubai, in a local or regional nature, will be selling cars to those of Arab descent, as the city of Dubai is dominated by Arabs. If you are moving to the area and are not up to speed on the Arab culture than you should learn as much as you can before taking any car sales jobs in Dubai.

External car sales jobs in Dubai are those in which salespeople sell to people from all over the world, typically using a web site to locate potential buyers. A salesperson will work at either a unique European car dealership or some other type of worldwide shop which is recognizable to buyers from different countries.

These car sales jobs in Dubai are popular because of the vast differences in types of people who visit the city. Tourists may come and love a particular car but if they live in the United States they will have no option of buying it, unless through an external dealership.

Whichever type of car sales jobs in Dubai you decide to pursue, make sure you do your research on the dealership ahead of time and know what they specialize in and what they are looking for when hiring a salesperson.

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