Learn About The Big Business Of Pickleball at Nationals
Want to hear in what direction paddle technology is headed? Interested in which demographics are playing, consuming, and investing in pickleball? Want to learn what criteria can make a social media post go ‘viral’? Enjoy hearing why companies are betting on pickleball to help amplify their brands? Interested in what kind of rule changes may be still in store for pickleball?
In the middle of the biggest pickleball event in the country, there’s a great chance for you to learn.
No, not from the pros on the courts, but from the pros in the business of pickleball.
On Tuesday, Nov. 7 at Brookhaven Country Club, the site of this year’s BIOFREEZE USA Pickleball National Championships, industry leaders, investors, sponsors, media professionals, and more will be on hand and you can take part in a day of discussion, and engagement in the world of pickleball.
The event opens at 9 a.m. with breakfast and a chance for everyone to get settled in. The business panels, which will feature topics ranging from the business of pickleball to the media and sponsorships of pickleball, kick off at 10 a.m. Lunch is also included and served at midday, and the panels conclude with a Molson Coors Happy Hour from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
After the Molson Coors Happy Hour ends, attendees are encouraged to buy tickets and walk over to the Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown on Championship Court, which takes place that evening at 7 p.m. and features Scottie Scheffler, Dirk Nowitzki, John Isner, Tony Romo, Tyler Seguin, and Jason Kidd.
There will be five panels and a variety of topics discussed throughout the day (see below).
THE BUSINESS OF PICKLEBALL
Panelists:
David Pillsbury, CEO of Invited Clubs
Anne Worcester, strategic advisor to Major League Pickleball
Zubin Mehta, Owner of Major League Pickleball team, the L.A. Maddrops
PICKLEBALL RULES AND EQUIPMENT
Panelists:
PPA Tour No. 1 ranked player Ben Johns
Mike Nealy, USA Pickleball CEO
Athena Trouillot, former pro and professional pickleball coach to Catherine Parenteau
THE PICKLEBALL MEDIA LANDSCAPE
Panelists:
Bob Whyley, executive producer at The Tennis Channel
Thomas Shields of the popular news outlet, “The Dink,”
Laura Gainor, from Vossberg Gainor, the world’s first pickleball marketing agency
THE WORLD OF PICKLEBALL SPONSORSHIPS
Panelists:
Ernie Garcia, Carvana founder and CEO
Elise Ivy, co-founder of Rokne Pickleball
Molly Brown, global brand partnerships & marketing at Holland America
PICKLEBALL MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Panelists:
Tyson Apostol, Survivor winner and pickleball influencer
Kaitlyn Kerr, Major League Pickleball team owner
Jared Paul, founder of “the Kitchen” Facebook group
The panels will be an excellent chance to network with some of the biggest decision-makers in the game as they discuss the business of pickleball, trends in the industry, innovative processes, the spreading of new ideas, opportunities in the future of pickleball, how media and sponsorships fuel the sport, and how to help your brand be successful through social media.
Attendees can expect to see pickleball club owners, buyers in the business, manufacturers and distributors, coaches and instructors, agencies, and brand representatives among those speaking and in attendance – a great opportunity for socializing with others in the pickleball industry.
