From August 8-11, the inaugural PickleCon brought together pickleball business owners and operators, players and vendors for tournaments, camps and clinics, education, and a vendor trade show. Pickleball Innovators had a front row seat on Media Row, and spent a few days connecting with those in attendance. Following are top takeaways and insights from the event.
Excitement Around Pickleball is Growing
Pickleball is a rapidly growing industry, and that was apparent at the show. Pickleball Innovators met with many companies and pickleball operators who were just starting businesses, or who were gathering information on how they might be of service to this industry as it continues to evolve. There were also quite a few established players at the event who had been servicing this market for some time.
Regardless of how long a company had been in business, all were excited about the sport and industry’s growth. The message was loud and clear: this is just the beginning for pickleball. The excitement and energy surrounding this fact was palpable.
Advice for Pickleball Operators
There were a number of panels geared toward pickleball business owners, including topics on opening a new facility, technology, sound mitigation and programming for clubs. Top takeaways from these sessions include:
When it comes to technology, there are tons of services and offerings out there that can facilitate club management or support player experience. Regardless of what technology you’re investing in, ensure it solves pain points and doesn’t create them. In addition, technology should support great in-person customer experience.
In regards to player ratings, such as DUPR or UTPR, PickleCon participants were conflicted on the role these would play at facilities, leagues or tournaments. Some pickleball players appreciate ratings, whereas others view them as a turnoff. In addition, the reliability of these ratings was questioned, especially across states where levels of play can vary dramatically from city to city. In summary, it’s unclear what role player ratings will have as the industry evolves.
PickleCon panelists also expressed that player experience is ultimately what matters. Yes, courts, technology, staff, etc. all play a vital role. However, if your players are having fun, they’ll keep coming to your facility or club. So, spend a lot of time focusing on the player experience.
Give Feedback to Your Partners
Lastly, one of the top takeaways from PickleCon surrounded the importance of collaboration and networking to drive the industry forward. For pickleball facility operators, this means giving feedback to your vendor partners on what’s working and what isn’t. This also means networking with other operators or partners you can bounce ideas off of and continue to learn and grow from.
These are just a few takeaways from PickleCon. It’s clear this is an up-and-coming industry with a ton of momentum, and there’s much room for growth and evolution.
If you’re interested in exploring the industry’s evolution and networking with high-level pickleball operators, secure your spot at the 2025 Pickleball Innovators Summit, October 7-9 at the Omni Tucson National Resort in Tucson, Arizona. For more information email rachel@peakemedia.com.
With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
