The Club Summit at RacquetX

The most important gathering of racquet sports club leaders this year.

Take home strategies you can implement at your club immediately

The Club Summit at RacquetX is designed for racquet club owners, operators, directors, and managers who want to stay ahead of the game. Over three days, participants dive into exclusive closed-door sessions, case studies, and workshops, all while being guided through the RacquetX experience to maximize their time and investment.

Register Here See Agenda

What makes this special

• Exclusive workshops with The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center on creating cultures of excellence.

• Unique operating insights from leaders of the six largest commercial clubs in the U.S, including what’s actually working, what failed, and where they’re placing their next bets.

• A tactical session on how leading clubs are using AI today to improve operations, marketing, and member communication.

• Hear from Len Simard, the industry’s leader in private club placement of Racquets Directors on what it takes to build a successful, people-first organizations.

• Lots of networking, fun and a big Opening Party hosted by The Fort.

• Tennis, padel and pickleball courts with experiences with a chance to try INTENNSE and see TYPTI live.

• 150+ brands to discover throughout the event.

Take a look at the agenda below for more details

Date
Title
Description
Speakers
Date: March 13, 2026 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Title: PTP Cup
Description: @ Courts Area
Date: March 13, 2026 from 11:00 am to 11:30 am
Title: INTENNSE Clinic & How To Play Sessions
Description: @ COURT #5 TENNIS CENTER COURT
Date: March 13, 2026 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Title: Innovation Showcase Tech Spotlights
Description: @ StageX
Date: March 13, 2026 from 3:45 pm to 4:30 pm
Title: Using The World Healthiest Sport To Make The World's Healthiest Racquets Club
Description: @ StageX - Presentation by Dr. Neeru Jayanthi
Date: March 13, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Title: First-ever INTENNSE Professional Tennis Draft
Description: Stage X
Date: March 13, 2026 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Title: Opening Party
Description: @ The Fort
Date: March 14, 2026 from 8:00 am to 8:45 am
Title: The Club Summit Breakfast & Registration
Description: Kick off the day with The Club Summit Breakfast featuring top club leaders, RacquetX insiders, and curated peer connections designed to set the tone for everything ahead.
Date: March 14, 2026 from 8:50 am to 9:00 am
Title: Welcome & Opening Remarks
Speakers:
Robyn Duda
CEO | RacquetX
Date: March 14, 2026 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Title: Workshop Session #1 A Culture of Excellence - Building Success from Within (Part 1 of 2)
Description: Employee mindset has everything to do with whether an organization survives or thrives, because engaged employees create engaged and loyal customers. In this foundational session, The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center shares how to activate and sustain a culture of excellence through the Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards and cultural alignment strategy. Participants will explore how purpose, values, and shared service behaviors create a unified employee experience where people feel valued, empowered, and personally responsible for the customer experience. Participants seeking to strengthen alignment and energize culture will walk away with actionable ideas to elevate experiences and inspire engagement from within.
Speakers:
Christie Pink
Corporate Director, Culture Transformation | The Ritz-Carlton Learning Center
Thomas McCarthy
Corporate Director, Culture Transformation | The Ritz-Carlton Learning Center
Date: March 14, 2026 from 10:30 am to 10:45 am
Title: BREAK
Date: March 14, 2026 from 10:45 am to 12:00 pm
Title: Workshop Session #2 A Culture of Excellence - Building Success from Within (Part 2 of 2)
Description: This continuation of the morning session focuses on the key people processes that embed a culture of excellence across the employee lifecycle. The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center shares practical methodologies that take the guesswork out of selection, onboarding, upskilling, and retention of talent – ensuring cultural values translate into consistent employee and customer experiences. RacquetX participants will examine how intentional hiring, development, and recognition practices reinforce engagement in both in-person and virtual environments. Leaders will walk away with actionable ideas to strengthen their people processes and sustain a high-performance culture.
Speakers:
Christie Pink
Corporate Director, Culture Transformation | The Ritz-Carlton Learning Center
Thomas McCarthy
Corporate Director, Culture Transformation | The Ritz-Carlton Learning Center
Date: March 14, 2026 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Title: LUNCH
Date: March 14, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm
Title: "Leading the Way: Insights from the Industry’s Commercial Biggest Clubs "
Description: 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.
Speakers:
Scott McCulloch
President & CEO | Cliff Drysdale
Jonathan Fralick
Vice President of Racquet | Invited Clubs
Todd Kramer
Executive Vice President | Bay Clubs
Michael Mahoney
Senior Vice President & National Racquet Sports Director | Midtown Athletic Clubs
Mike Barrell
Executive Director of Tennis | Sportime
Mike Woody
Vice President / National Tennis Director | Genesis
Date: March 14, 2026 from 1:50 pm to 2:20 pm
Title: The FOMO Evolution: Bridging the Gap from Instant Engagement to Advanced Retention
Description: 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 and real-time social proof.
Speakers:
Brad Tuckman
Co-Founder & CEO | The Fort
Dr. Joy Macci
CEO | Joy of Pickleball + Joy of Quantum Sports + Joy of Sport
Chris Post
Director of Racquets | Southward Ho Country Club
Trevor Short
Founder & CEO | Inspiring Dreams
Ryan Wolfington
Founder & President | Inspiring Children Foundation
Date: March 14, 2026 from 2:20 pm to 2:50 pm
Title: Sports & Entertainment Districts: The New Model for Racquet Sports Development
Description: 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.
Speakers:
Bryan Fike
Market Leader – Racquet Sports Development | LaBella
Cristian Petschen
Global Practice Leader – Sports, Entertainment, and Public Venues | LaBella
Dario Sala
Co-Founder & Shareholder | Sports Performance Hub (SPH)
Virgil Christian
Racquet Sports Development Strategist | The Yardley Group
Date: March 14, 2026 from 2:50 pm to 3:00 pm
Title: BREAK
Date: March 14, 2026 from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm
Title: Investing In Your People
Description: 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 with 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.
Speakers:
Jarrett Chirico
Director of Racquets | North HIlls Club
Len Simard
Search & Consulting Executive | Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
Date: March 14, 2026 from 3:50 pm to 4:05 pm
Title: AI in Racquet Clubs: From Operational Efficiency to Predictive Growth
Description: As an introduction to our hands-on AI workshop, Playtomic will open the AI block with a 15-minute, forward-looking session on how artificial intelligence is already transforming racquet club operations globally. From dynamic pricing and demand forecasting to player engagement and retention, attendees will see real-world applications delivering measurable results. This session sets the stage for the practical workshop that follows, offering a clear view of what’s possible before clubs take their first steps with AI.
Speakers:
Pedro Thormodsen
CPO/CTO | Playtomic
Date: March 14, 2026 from 4:10 pm to 4:50 pm
Title: Limitless Leadership: Practical AI for Club Executives, Directors, and Managers
Description: 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.
Speakers:
Jeramy Hall
AI Innovation Consultant |
Mali Hall
Director of Racquet Sports | Hunters Run Country Club
Date: March 14, 2026 from 4:50 pm to 5:10 pm
Title: Keynote Listeners Recap
Description: 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.
Speakers:
Jorge Barragan
CEO | The Picklr
Brian Dillman
CEO | RSPA
Abigail McCulloch
Founder | Alma Padel
Date: March 14, 2026 from 4:50 pm to 5:00 pm
Title: Closing Remarks
Date: March 15, 2026 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Title: Fixing the Game: Corruption in Sport with Tim Donaghy & Declan Hill
Description: In this eye-opening session, Declan Hill, Ph.D. (Oxford), Associate Professor of Investigations at the University of New Haven and internationally recognized expert on match-fixing and organized crime in sport, interviews former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who served prison time in a betting scandal that shook professional basketball. Together, they will unpack how match-fixing and gambling interests infiltrate sport, revealing how corruption often begins quietly in lower-profile events where oversight is limited and financial pressures create vulnerability. The discussion will examine how organized crime exploits these weak points, and what leaders in racquet sports can do to protect integrity before problems take root.
Speakers:
Declan Hill
Associate Professor of Investigations | Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science University of New Haven
Tim Donaghy
Former NBA Referee & Author |
Date: March 15, 2026 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Title: Demos & Court Time
Description: @ Courts Area
Date: March 15, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Title: Walk The RacquetX Exhibition
Description: @ Showfloor

Ready to join?

Club Summit participants dive into exclusive closed-door sessions, case studies, and workshops, all while being guided through the RacquetX experience to maximize their time and investment.

Register Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to help you decide if The Club Summit is the right fit, and what to expect across the experience.

What is The Club Summit at RacquetX?
A closed-door program designed for racquet club leaders, combining focused sessions, case studies, and workshops, plus a guided RacquetX experience to help you maximize your time and ROI.
Who should attend?
Club owners, operators, general managers, directors, and managers responsible for growth, operations, programming, and member experience, across padel, pickleball, tennis, and multi-sport facilities.
What makes it different from general event access?
The Club Summit is intentionally structured as a closed-door, operator-first experience, focused on depth, practical takeaways, and implementation, not just inspiration. It’s designed for leaders making decisions inside clubs.
What will I walk away with?
Practical strategies and operational playbooks you can apply immediately, covering growth, operations, programming, and member experience, supported by real-world case studies and workshop-style learning. Real strategies. High-value contacts. Clarity on what your club should do next.
How is the agenda structured?
The schedule typically blends closed-door sessions, case studies, and workshops. You’ll also have guided touchpoints within the RacquetX experience, designed to help you prioritize what matters most.
Will there be networking opportunities?
Yes, one of the core benefits is connecting with peers and decision-makers in a curated environment. The closed-door format, plus our exclusive AI matchmaking app, is designed to make networking more relevant and higher quality.
What is “The Anatomy of the Club Experience”?
It’s RacquetX’s framework for club growth, built from real challenges and opportunities clubs face today. It serves as a foundation for the Club Summit’s sessions and workshops.
How do I register?
Click Register Here to secure your ticket. You can also review the agenda first, then return to registration when ready.