Yes, there’s a new “paddle sports” tradeshow coming. No, Paddlesports Retailer does not have to be worried.
The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference will be held Jan. 23-25, 2019, co-located with the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. Only this one’s for pickle ball and other racquet sports, not paddling.
The multi-faceted tennis, racquet and paddle sports industry event will feature a hands-on product demo experience and opening welcome party at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona and a buying summit at the Orange County Convention Center.
As with the recent Paddlesports Retailer show held in Oklahoma City, the three-day Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference, organized by the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and Reed Exhibitions, will bring together racquet sports professionals, industry leaders, emerging and bellwether brands all under one roof. Only instead of an artificial whitewater venue it will feature courtside demos.
“This conference will be targeted to all facets of the tennis industry including the racquet and paddle sports businesses,” said TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “We look forward to working with Reed Exhibitions and tapping into their proven expertise in developing powerful face-to-face business activations. Reed has helped to grow the PGA Show into the ultimate resource for the golf industry. Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to showcase the tennis industry and grow the business of tennis and racquet sports.”
Following the summit, an evening, hands-on product demo experience and opening welcome party will be held Jan. 23 at the state-of-the-art USTA National Campus in Lake Nona. The TIA’s annual Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference, named “Innovative Tennis Event of the Year” last year by Tennis Industry magazine, will feature an expanded focus and format and will be held daily, Jan. 23-25, at the OCCC. The conference format will include five educational tracks: Innovation & Technology, Facility Operations; Human Resources & Professional Services; Event Management & Hospitality and Membership, Marketing & Promotions. Continuing education credits are available for members of the Professional Tennis Registry and U.S. Professional Tennis Association.
“The inaugural 2019 Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference will include an exhibit pavilion of curated racquet, paddle and tennis vendors and organizations which will serve as a preview for the 2020 conference and show, where we plan to include more comprehensive exhibits and additional floor space,” said Reed.