The organizers of the Golf Business Technology Conference (GBTC) are proud to announce the resounding success of the 2026 edition, which brought together global leaders, innovators, and club operators at the award-winning Merchant Hotel from May 5–7, 2026.
The premier B2B event firmly established Belfast as an international hub for sports innovation, driving forward critical conversations on how emerging technology is revolutionizing course management, operational efficiency, and the player experience. Following a packed schedule of live demonstrations, expert-led panels, and premier networking events, organizers are already looking ahead to an even larger, high-profile iteration in 2027.
“Golf is transforming at an unprecedented pace, and technology is at the very heart of that evolution,” said Aboo Tayub, Founder of Golf Business Technology. “GBTC 2026 in Belfast didn’t just highlight what’s next for the game—it successfully connected the visionaries who are actively building it. The energy, insights, and collaborative spirit shared over the three days proved that the global golf industry is eager to embrace data-driven, sustainable solutions.”
Highlights from GBTC 2026
The three-day event delivered actionable, bottom-line-improving ideas to a global audience, focusing on five core pillars: Sustainability, Revenue Generation, Golf Entertainment, Operational Efficiency, and AI-Driven Club Management. Key milestones included:
· The Elite Opening Golf Day: The conference kicked off on May 5th with an exclusive tournament at the historic, Harry S. Colt-designed Belvoir Park Golf Club, blending world-class parkland golf with high-level peer networking.
· Industry-Leading Keynotes & Panels: More than 50 industry experts shared their knowledge. High-profile highlights included a headline panel powered by Syngenta titled ‘Golf’s Sustainable Future: People, Planet & Profit,’ featuring global turf and sustainability authorities exploring the industry’s long-term environmental strategies.
· A-List Speaker Lineup: Presentations featured insights from heavyweights including Karen Lyttle (Director of Technology at The R&A), Simon Elsworth (Syngenta), Nuno Sepúlveda Co-CEO of Details, S.A & Chairman, CNIG, Tom Adcock, Head of Digital at St Andrews Links Trust, Robert Mitchell Director of Golf at La Cala Resort, Bob Morse (Invited Clubs), alongside pioneering showcases from international brands like Bernhard Company, Trackman, Golf Genius, Courserev.ai, Inrange and Golf.ai
Looking Forward to 2027
On the heels of this year’s spectacular turnout and overwhelming industry acclaim, planning is already underway for GBTC 2027. Organizers are currently exploring major strategic partnerships to scale the event significantly.
With an expanded scope, deeper international reach, and a continued focus on cutting-edge software and automation, GBTC 2027 promises to raise the bar even higher for golf club operators and technology developers worldwide.