2026 Agenda

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Robyn Duda, CEO of RacquetX, and Pablo Carro, Co-founder & CCO of Playtomic and main show sponsor, kick off the event by welcoming attendees and setting the tone for three days of conversations, connections, court activations, tournaments, and growth across the racquet sports industry.

Robyn Duda

CEO

RacquetX

Pablo Carro

Co-founder & CCO

Playtomic

Opening Keynote "The Future of Racquet Sports Technology: 2026 and Beyond"

This keynote sets the tone for the entire Innovation Showcase. It will map out the macro technology trends shaping the next decade of racquet sports, with a special focus on how AI is transforming player development, club operations, data intelligence, and the overall racquet-sports experience. It’s a forward-looking, high-impact keynote that frames where the industry is headed and what organizations should prepare for now.

Lauren Pedersen

CEO & Co-Founder

SportAI

Case Study Panel: “What We Tried, What Worked, What Didn’t”

A practical, no-spin discussion with clubs and facilities that are already implementing next-generation technologies. From smart courts and analytics systems to AI-powered coaching and modern booking tools, panelists share real data, real outcomes, and real challenges. Attendees walk away with actionable insights grounded in actual experience, not theory.

Chen Shachar

CEO & Co-founder

Playsight

Brad Tuckman

Co-Founder & CEO

The Fort

Brian Lloyd

Chief Pickleball Officer

Dill Dinkers

Innovation Showcase Tech Spotlights

This fast-paced showcase features 5 emerging or established companies, each delivering a structured 10-minute session focused on real-world value rather than sales pitches. In five minutes, presenters will give a live demo or product walkthrough, followed by five minutes of moderated Q&A with a RacquetX host. Attendees will see exactly how each solution works in practice, with clear emphasis on club use cases, player experience enhancements, data-driven insights, and measurable operational or ROI impact. This is where the industry cuts through the hype and discovers what’s actually usable today.

Alex Zub

Founder & CEO

OpenCourt

Sergio Pizzolante

CEO

Sports Summit USA

Ivan Vajda

CEO

Vending Sport

Daren Hornig

Founder & CEO

CourtsApp

Closing Discussion: “What’s Missing? The Tech We Wish Existed.”

A forward-looking conversation bringing together a tech founder, a club director, a pro coach, and a player/influencer. Together, they identify the gaps in today’s technology landscape and imagine the solutions that could redefine the industry next. This session helps shape the roadmap for the innovations racquet sports truly need.n

Ashley Owens

Co-Founder

CourtReserve

Jonathan Fralick

Vice President of Racquet

Invited Clubs

Joe Wilkerson

General Manager National Campus

USTA

Bobbi Oshiro

Pro Pickleball Player

APP

Using The World's Healthiest Sport To Make The World's Healthiest Racquets Club

Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, is a nationally recognized tennis and sports medicine physician and leading expert in injury prevention and athlete health—Director of Emory Tennis Medicine and Chair of the USTA Sports Science Committee. He will explore why racquet sports, led by tennis, are increasingly recognized as the world’s healthiest sports, backed by compelling research and data. In this session, he’ll break down how adult club members (like himself) can use racquet sports to improve longevity, physical health, and overall well-being, regardless of age or skill level. He’ll also share practical, actionable strategies clubs can implement to become some of the healthiest racquet clubs in the industry, from smart programming and education to fostering a culture that prioritizes long-term player health and engagement.

Neeru Jayanthi, M.D.

Director

Emory Sports Medicine Center

INTENNSE Draft

The Club Summit Breakfast& Registration

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Robyn Duda

CEO

RacquetX

Workshop Session #1 A Culture of Excellence - Building Success from Within (Led by The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center)

Employee mindset has everything to do with whether your business survives or thrives because engaged employees create engaged and loyal customers. In this session, The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center shares best practices on how to activate and sustain a culture where valued and empowered employees own the customer experience. Whether you’re re-opening your business in a changed world or re-vitalizing a flagging culture that has shifted to a virtual work environment, The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center will share methodologies that take the guesswork out of selection, onboarding, upskilling and retention of talent. Leaders ready to transform their organization will walk away with actionable ideas to elevate experiences and engage employees

Inside the Numbers: New Pickleball & Padel Market Insights

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, but what does that growth actually look like beneath the surface? Join the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and DUPR for a data-driven look at how pickleball participation is evolving and what it means for the broader industry. SFIA will share its latest 2025 U.S. participation trends, including the first-ever release of national padel participation data, while DUPR adds a global perspective informed by its extensive player ecosystem. Together, they will also highlight key consumer insights from their joint research, the Pickleball Market Playbook, examining how the sport’s most engaged players are spending, why they play, and the challenges they face as pickleball continues its rapid expansion. This session offers essential context and actionable insights for brands, clubs, and industry stakeholders navigating one of the most dynamic segments in sports today.

Jenny Karn

Senior Director

SFIA

Tito Machado

CEO

DUPR

Pickleball Skills Clinic with Ryan Weinbach

Sharpen your pickleball skills with the help of PodPlay Director of Sales Ryan Weinbach and PodPlay's signature video capture technology. Ryan sports a 5.9 DUPR and is the son of Dave "The Badger" Weinbach.

Workshop Session #2 A Culture of Excellence - Building Success from Within (Led by The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center)

Employee mindset has everything to do with whether your business survives or thrives because engaged employees create engaged and loyal customers. In this session, The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center shares best practices on how to activate and sustain a culture where valued and empowered employees own the customer experience. Whether you’re re-opening your business in a changed world or re-vitalizing a flagging culture that has shifted to a virtual work environment, The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center will share methodologies that take the guesswork out of selection, onboarding, upskilling and retention of talent. Leaders ready to transform their organization will walk away with actionable ideas to elevate experiences and engage employees.

Design and Build: What Goes Into Creating the New Wave of Racquet Sports Facilities

This panel brings together industry experts in design, construction, and surfacing to explore the key considerations behind building high-performing, future-ready racquet sports venues. Moderated by ASBA CEO Fred Stringfellow, the discussion will cover best practices, emerging trends, and common challenges in planning and delivering modern facilities, from site selection and court systems to durability, playability, and long-term maintenance. Attendees will gain practical insights into what it takes to design and build facilities that meet today’s demands while remaining adaptable for the future.

Eric Loftus

Partner

Northeast Padel

Todd Dettor

Vice President & Owner

Fast-Dry Courts

Fred Stringfellow

Executive Vice President

American Sports Builders Association

Megan Buczynski

Principal, P.E., Civil Engineer

Activitas

What’s in the Bag: Equipment That’s Changing Racquet Sports

As racquet sports continue to evolve, so does the equipment that powers performance, safety, and player experience. This session will explore the latest innovations in racquets, balls, footwear, nets, and on-court accessories across tennis, pickleball, and padel. Industry experts and brand leaders will discuss how new materials, design technologies, and data-driven insights are influencing play, durability, and injury prevention -while also examining what truly matters for clubs and operators when selecting equipment. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of which innovations are delivering real value, how equipment choices impact player satisfaction and operations, and what trends are shaping the future of the game.

Jose Luis Sanz Fernnadez

Padel Business Leader

Babolat

Philippe Oudshoorn

Marketing & Brand Director; North America

Tecnifibre

Leading the Way: Insights from the Industry’s Biggest Clubs

Some of the most influential players in the racquet sports industry: Sportime, Bay Clubs, Cliff Drysdale, Midtown, Invited, and Genesis, are redefining what it means to run a modern racquet club. In this session, leaders from these organizations will share their vision for the future: from evolving membership models and facility investments to program innovation and multi-sport integration. Attendees will gain rare insights into how the largest operators are navigating challenges, spotting opportunities, and setting the tone for the entire industry.

Scott McCulloch

President & CEO

Cliff Drysdale

Jonathan Fralick

Vice President of Racquet

Invited Clubs

Michael Mahoney

Senior Vice President & National Racquet Sports Director

Midtown Athletic Clubs

Mike Woody

Vice President / National Tennis Director

Genesis Health Clubs

Todd Kramer

Executive Vice President

Bay Clubs

Mike Barrell

Executive Director of Tennis

Sportime

The FOMO Evolution: Bridging the Gap from Instant Engagement to Advanced Retention

The "World of FOMO" has evolved. In 2026, simply getting attention is no longer enough; the true challenge lies in converting that fleeting spark into a self-sustaining community flywheel. We will dive into "FOMO 2.0" tactics, moving beyond simple urgency to create a culture of "exclusive belonging" through personalized digital experiences and community-centric onboarding. Participants will explore how to lower the "beginner barrier" for newcomers while deepening the emotional investment of veteran members using modern tools like predictive AI and real-time social proof.

Brad Tuckman

Co-Founder & CEO

The Fort

Joy Macci

Founder & CEO

Joy of Sport, Joy of Pickleball, and Joy of Quantum Sports

Chris Post

Director of Racquets

Southward Ho Country Club

Varlion's Brand Relaunch Presentation

Presentation of the brand's relaunch

Sports & Entertainment Districts: The New Model for Racquet Sports Development

This moderated panel introduces club owners and operators to an emerging growth model: integrating racquet sports into larger Sports & Entertainment Districts. Industry leaders and former professional athletes share real-world examples of how racquet clubs are becoming anchor amenities within mixed-use developments, driving new revenue streams, expanding audiences, and reshaping traditional membership models. Attendees will gain practical insight into the financial upside, partnership opportunities, and long-term value of aligning with destination-driven real estate projects.

Bryan Fike

Market Leader – Racquet Sports Development

LaBella Associates

Cristian Petschen

Global Practice Leader – Sports, Entertainment, and Public Venues

LaBella Associates

Brave New Ball-Hopper: The Shape of Lessons to Come

What are the essentials of effective tennis instruction? For while it’s one thing to demonstrate how the ball is hit, it’s another to connect with a skilled tennis player in a way that’s understandable, useful, sustainable, and scalable. Join tennisplayer.net executive editor Joel Drucker as he leads a panel of prominent coaches in an exploration about what the world of contemporary instruction looks like – and how it might well change in the years to come.

Joel Drucker

Executive Editor

tennisplayer.net

Matt Pressman

Editor & Publisher

Florida Tennis

Investing In Your People

Join Jarrett Chirico for an intimate one-on-one fireside conversation with Len Simard, one of the most respected and accomplished leaders in the club and racquet sports industry and the world’s leading search and consulting executive in racquets, currently working at KKW. With over 35 years of experience directing premier clubs, developing top racquets programs, and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders, Len brings unmatched insight into what it takes to build successful, people-first organizations. Together, they’ll discuss why investing in your team, from leadership development and culture to retention and growth, is critical for long-term success.n

Jarrett Chirico

Director of Racquets

North Hills Club

Len Simard

Search Executive

Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace

Limitless Leadership: Practical AI for Club Executives, Directors, and Managers

Everyone has heard of ChatGPT, some have tried it, but many have yet to unlock its true potential, this session changes that. Jeramy brings a unique background in reengineering and optimizing operations across the telecom, healthcare, hospitality, and energy industries, where efficiency and service excellence are non-negotiable. Now, those same principles are being transformed by AI and applied to the real challenges clubs face today: staffing strain, rising member expectations, tighter margins, and the constant pressure to do more with less. Jeramy will be joined by Mali Hall, a Racquet Sports Director who uses AI daily to enhance club operations, offering real-world examples and practical insights. To ensure leaders can confidently apply what they learn, the session will be followed by two post Club Summit follow-up calls designed to reinforce key concepts, answer questions, and help attendees secure and implement the knowledge gained.

Jeramy Hall

AI Innovation Consultant

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Mali Hall

Director of Racquet Sports

Hunters Run Country Club

Keynote Listeners Recap

Three professionals representing diverse perspectives and sports will serve as “listeners” throughout the Club Summit, capturing key insights, trends, and standout ideas from each session. At the close of the event, they’ll share their recap, highlighting actionable takeaways, emerging opportunities, and key lessons that club owners, general managers, and directors can immediately apply within their organizations.n

Jorge Barragan

CEO & Co-Founder

The Picklr

Brian Dillman

CEO

RSPA

Closing Remarks

Athletes & Investors: Why Execution Matters in Padel

Led by Santiago Gomez, this session brings together the athlete and investor perspectives behind Padel Haus. Featuring three Padel Haus shareholders, one a professional athlete-investor alongside a seasoned global investor, the conversation explores why padel is attracting attention and why capital is becoming far more selective. The panel will focus on fundamentals: site selection and real estate constraints, buildout complexity, brand standards, unit economics, and operational execution. This is not a “how to open a club” discussion, it’s a candid look at what it takes to build a scalable platform in a category where execution, not enthusiasm, determines who will survive and scale.

Santiago Gomez

Founder & CEO

Padel Haus

Alejandro Bedoya

Captain

Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Christopher Irding

Managing Partner

Borghem Invest AB

Courtside Conversation: Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Racquet Sports in the Park: How To Bring Tennis, Pickleball And Padel To The Masses

Chuck Gill

Director of Tennis

Village of Wellington

Eric Kent

Director of Pickleball

Patch Reef Paddle and Racquet Club

Marcos del Pilar

Award-winning Global Padel Consultant

Padel And Success

The Future of Pickleball: Regulation, Global Growth & What Comes Next

As pickleball continues its rapid growth, regulation becomes essential to its evolution as a global sport. This panel explores why standardized governance is critical for international expansion, Olympic inclusion, and the ability to responsibly engage with emerging opportunities such as sports betting. Panelists will also examine the pros and cons of accelerated growth, institutional partnerships, and what’s at stake for the sport’s long-term integrity.

Ron Radogonda

Board Member

UPA-A

Jason Aspes

President

UPA-A

Surface Matters: Technology, Materials & the Future of Court Construction

As racquet sports continue their explosive growth, the right infrastructure has become a key differentiator for clubs and operators looking to meet demand and enhance the player experience; this panel brings together leading industry brands to showcase how innovative court surfaces, modular and high-performance construction techniques, and smart facility design are shaping the future of tennis, padel, and pickleball venues. Panelists will share insights into the latest trends in court building and renovation. From porous and fast-dry surfaces to synthetic turf and modular systems. How these choices impact playability, maintenance, and longevity, and what clubs need to consider when planning upgrades or new builds to stay competitive and deliver maximum value for members and guests.

Mark Patzelt

General Director

BaseX

Sergio Aguilar

National Director of Sports Lighting

LSI Industries