(Images provided by Exposures)
By Jim Obermeyer
Who would have predicted that when the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic’s (The Randy) board of directors selected the date for the 30th anniversary gathering in Atlanta that it would coincide with the timing of one of the largest hurricanes to hit the Southeast? But that is exactly what happened. Hurricane Helene hit the Florida panhandle and made its way up through Georgia and the Carolina’s just as The Randy was set to play.
This year was the 30th year for the exhibit and events industry’s Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic, held September 26th at Chateau Elan Golf Resort in Brazelton, Georgia.
Multiple and varied weather forecasts kept the team guessing on whether or not to carry on with the event, but in the end, it was decided to proceed — rain or shine. And what happened? Over 30 more golfers showed up for this event than attended last year. What did they do? Played golf in the rain!
That’s right, a larger gathering of our industry members than last year committed to playing in a steady rain. A larger number of sponsors committed to supporting the recipients of this year’s event. A number of recipients—also larger than last year—were honored at the evening banquet.
Rich Johnson, one of the founders of The Randy, and several industry speakers, including Alex Hill, Executive Director of the EDPA Foundation, took time to talk about the impact of The Randy on our industry. Recipients were honored and several recipients (or their surviving family members) took some time to tell their stories and thank the audience for their commitment.
It just goes to show you how committed this industry and its amazing members are to supporting this family when they are in need. Let a little (or a lot) of rain dampen their spirits? Not a chance!
The objective of The Randy is to help families in the exhibition and events industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. The commitment is to provide financial and emotional support to all past and present recipients and their families.
A little history: Randy Smith was a project manager for an Atlanta based exhibit house, IDEAS, Inc. He died tragically in an automobile accident on his way home after working long hours at the Super Show in January of 1995. Randy left behind a wife Jenny, and two small children, Austin and Justin.
Two of Randy’s coworkers at IDEAS, Ted Peterson and Rich Johnson, started the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic (RSMGC) in August of 1995 in hopes of helping the emotional and financial burden Randy’s death caused his family.
The first event was held at Hidden Hills Country Club in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The event was held at Hidden Hills the first four years and since then has been hosted at a variety of locations, including Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, GA, St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek, GA, The Standard Club, also located in Johns Creek, GA, Stone Mountain Golf Course in Stone Mountain, GA, and Chateau Elan in Braselton, GA.
The first two years the event focused solely on providing support for the Smith family. In 1997, the decision was made to open up the event to other families in the tradeshow industry who had suffered a similar tragedy or faced hardships. The first additional recipient was Nicole Sheldon, daughter of long-time shipping industry veteran Chris Sheldon in Wheaton, IL. Nicole was eight years old at the time and had recently undergone a heart and liver transplant. She was said to be the “sickest child ever to leave a Chicagoland hospital alive.”
Since its inception in 1995, the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classics and its officially sanctioned ancillary events have assisted over 250 families with over two million dollars in financial support, not to mention the emotional support. A full list of these previous recipients can be found on the Randy website: www.rsmgc.org.
Each year, the RSMGC Board of Directors reviews and decides on who will become the beneficiaries of the events funds. In its history they have accepted over 95 percent of officially received assistance requests. For 2024, there were 17 financial recipients and four honorary recipients. You can view recipient information on the Randy website: https://rsmgc.org/about/recipients/.
One of the cool things about the event is that absolutely everyone is welcome, regardless of your prowess with a golf club. The Randy blankets all segments of the exhibition and events industry from exhibitors to show managers to general contractors and all down the tradeshow supply chain. One of the many things the founders and the governing board are most proud of is how they’ve been able to bring everyone together for this day of fellowship and good will. Many competing companies in their respective fields have known the Randy as the day they “lay down their swords” for the good of the overall cause.
Probably the biggest proponent and cheerleader and one of the hardest workers on the event is Rich Johnson. Every time I see him at an industry gathering, I can sense the energy he has for this cause. You can’t hang around him long and not want to be a part of it.
It is amazing to me that the same guys that started this thing in 1995 are still at it, still part of the core team that puts this event on every year. Still spending hours and hours and days and days of their own time creating this event. There are some deeply passionate folks on this team.
Johnson probably says it best: “If you are a first-time participant, we welcome you with open arms. We encourage you to freely experience what our returning sponsors, participants and volunteers already know. The Randy is an opportunity to be part of a loving, caring, supportive community of family and friends that have proven to always be there for those in need.”
Or, as Randy board member Mike Boone says, “Once you go, then you’ll know!”
So just go.
Jim Obermeyer has been in the exhibits and events industry for over 40 years, both as a corporate tradeshow manager and exhibit house owner. He can be reached at jobermeyer903@gmail.com
This article will appear in the 30 Year Anniversary book with more images of the event. For final layout please see the Exhibit City News 30 Year Anniversary Book, releasing soon.
