2026 Agenda

Welcome & Opening Remarks

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.

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.

Innovation Showcase Tech Spotlights

This fast-paced showcase features 5–6 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.

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

INTENNSE Draft

The Club Summit Breakfast& Registration

Welcome & Opening Remarks

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. An award-winning employment brand, through this session, The Ritz-Carlton 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, our trusted processes 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 Racquet Sports Boom: 2026 Trends & Projections

SFIA returns to RacquetX with its authoritative look at where racquet sports stand today—and where they’re headed next. Using brand-new 2026 data across all major racquet and paddle sports, this session highlights participation shifts, demographic trends, growth patterns, and competitive comparisons across the broader sports landscape.nnYou'll gain a concise, insight-packed understanding of the market forces shaping the next two years, including emerging opportunities, potential risk areas, and what industry leaders should be planning for now.

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. An award-winning employment brand, through this session, The Ritz-Carlton 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, our trusted processes 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.

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.

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.

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

The "World of FOMO" has evolved. In 2025, 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.

Designing for Growth: Facilities That Perform Today and Tomorrow

This session explores one of the most critical—and often overlooked—phases of club development: concept and design feasibility. While many club owners and operators understand court-level ROI and program mix, fewer have visibility into the true cost and complexity of bringing a facility up to code and fully operational. Led by an architect dedicated to the racquet sports industry, the session takes a practical, technical look at zoning constraints, code and occupancy requirements, structural planning, building systems, and construction realities that shape feasibility decisions and can quickly determine whether a site or building is a go/no-go. Attendees will leave with concrete tools to identify hidden costs, reduce risk early, and design adaptable, compliant facilities positioned for long-term growth across all racquet sports.

Racquets for Life: Health, Wellness & Longevity Through Racquet Sports

What happens when racquet sports become more than just a game? In this panel, experts explore how tennis, pickleball, padel, and other racquet disciplines are transforming lives, boosting cardiovascular health, enhancing mental well-being, forging social connections, and offering fitness solutions across all ages. Learn how clubs can evolve into wellness hubs, how players of all levels can benefit from regular play, and what’s next for health-oriented racquet-sport programming.

The Modern Racquet Retailer: Experience, Data, and Differentiation

As racquet sports participation grows and consumer expectations evolve, racquet retail is undergoing a major transformation. This session brings together leading specialty retailers and industry experts to explore how racquet sports products are being sold today, from in-club pro shops and specialty stores to e-commerce and omnichannel strategies. Panelists will discuss merchandising, inventory management, data-driven buying, brand partnerships, and the role of retail as an experience rather than just a point of sale. Attendees will gain practical insights into what’s working in today’s market, how successful retailers are differentiating themselves, and what clubs and brands need to understand to win at retail in the years ahead.

5 Reasons Why Clubs Fail – And What You Can Learn

Failure can be the best teacher. In this candid session, former club owners who have faced tough challenges will share the key reasons their clubs didn’t succeed. From financial missteps to cultural misalignment and operational blind spots, attendees will gain honest, hard-earned lessons to help avoid the same pitfalls—and build stronger, more resilient clubs.

Keynote Listeners Recap

Three industry leaders will act as “listeners” throughout the Club Summit, capturing key insights, trends, and standout ideas from every session. At the close of the event, they’ll share their recap—highlighting actionable takeaways, emerging opportunities, and key lessons that club owners, GMs, and directors can immediately apply to their organizations.

Closing Remarks

Her Court: Building Women-Driven Racquet Communities

As pickleball, padel, and other racquet sports surge worldwide, women-led community building has become one of the most powerful drivers of growth. This panel brings together influential community leaders, club operators, and grassroots organizers to discuss why creating safe, inclusive, and empowering environments for women is essential to the sport’s long-term success. Through real stories and on-the-ground experience, panelists will highlight what works—and what doesn’t—while offering actionable insights for clubs and brands aiming to strengthen representation, expand accessibility, and meaningfully support these growing communities.

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.