Where the Business of Pickleball Meets
The World Pickleball Conference brings industry leaders together for conversations about the sport’s growth, business and future.
By Carl Foster
October 14, 2026 • 4 min read
The business of pickleball continues to evolve alongside the sport, creating new opportunities and challenges for the people and companies to help shape its future. The 2026 World Pickleball Convention & Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, brings many of those voices together with a two-day conference of keynotes, panel discussions and conversations spanning industry growth, club operations, technology, retail, media, sustainability and more.
Friday, October 16, 2026
8:00–8:45 am
Registration, Check-In & Networking
Continental breakfast sponsored by Dailey Travels
8:45–9:00 am
Welcome
Emcee: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
George Domaceti, CEO, World Pickleball Convention
9:00–9:45 am
State of the Pickleball Industry: Past, Present & Future
Keynote: Pickleball Hall of Famer Melissa McCurley
Q&A with Carl Foster
10:00–10:30 am
Insights on Health, Well-Being & Community Impact of Pickleball
Keynote: Dr. Tamara Smith, VP, Social Impact, Humana
Q&A with Carl Foster
10:30–11:00 am
Growth Is a Community Story, Not a Marketing Story
Panel moderator: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
- Catherine Barton, National Women’s Pickleball Association
- Tommy Knapp, Exec. Dir of Partnerships, Palm Beach Royals
- Tony Schneider, USSP President
- Mike Sliwa, Pickleball Manufacturers Assoc./Podcaster
11:05 am–12:00 pm
How to Maximize Courts & Keep Players Coming Back
Panel moderator: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
- Dr. Stewart Davis, Managing Partner, New Boca Paddle
- Eric Kent, Racquet Sports Supervisor, Patch Reef Paddle Club
- Brad Tuchman, Founder/CEO, The FORT
12:00–12:45 pm
DUPR Exploding Worldwide + DUPR Coaches Expansion
Keynote: Tito Machado, CEO/DUPR, Katie Nimitz, EVP/DUPR
12:50–1:45 pm
Model Pickleball Fashion Show sponsored by Activawear
Free to all Expo and Conference attendees
Lunch Break
2:00–2:40 pm
The RPM Story: From the Courts to Paddle Manufacturer
Keynote: James Ignatowich, Founder/CEO, Top PPA Pro
2:45–3:30 pm
Tournaments, Leagues & Club Partnerships
Panel moderator: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
- Ted Angelo, The HUB Pickleball Clubs
- Gordon Gebert, National Pickleball Rec Leagues
- David Tabb, The Pickleball Superstore
3:30–4:10 pm
Marketing, Sponsorships and Media Collaborations
Panel moderator: Adam Bricker, Conference VP Marketing
- Adriana Falco, Founder/Editor-in-Chief, The Pickleball Weekly
- Jake Teplitzky, CEO, Teplitzky Management Group
- Ben Van Hout, Head of Sponsorships & Partnerships, DUPR
4:15–5:15 pm
Future of Pickleball Using AI Technology: What’s More Important, ROE or ROI?
Panel moderator: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
- Shawn Edwards, CEO, Playkout
- Edwin Rivera, Co-Founder, PlayerU
- Scott Robsin, Founder/CEO, Picklebeast
Saturday, October 17, 2026
8:00–8:45 am
Registration, Check-In & Networking
Continental Breakfast sponsored by Mom’s Miracle PB Cream
8:45–9:00 am
Welcome
Emcee: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
George Domaceti, CEO, World Pickleball Convention
9:00–9:45 am
Building Strong Retail Partnerships in the Pickleball Industry
Keynote: Nicole Smith, Sr. Director of Stores, Pickleball Central
Q&A with Carl Foster
9:50–10:30 am
New Products and Technology Join the Pickleball World
Panel moderator: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
- Eric Dailey, Founder, Dailey Travels (Pickleball Cruises)
- Lauren Holson, Co-Founder/CEO, SWELL Pickleballs
- Jack Alan Levine, Mom’s Miracle Pickleball Cream
- Shanny Rios, Director of Travel Operations, Dailey Travels
10:35–10:45 am
Morning Refresher Break sponsored by Pickleball Superstore
10:50–11:45 am
Biggest Threats to Pickleball Club Sustainability with Increased Competition: Why Are Facilities Leaving Money on the Table?
Panel moderator: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
- Mike DiLecce, Director of Growth/Strategy, CityPickle
- Dr. Rommie Maxey, Founder, Houston Pickleball Clubs
- Rene Prats, Co-Founder, DPC Complexes & CEO, PlayerU
- Will Richards, Co-Founder/CEO, Dill Dinkers
11:45 am–12:45 pm
Quantum Pickleball
Keynote: Dr. Joy Macci, CEO, Joy of Quantum Sports
Q&A and Demo
12:55–1:45 pm
Model Pickleball Fashion Show sponsored by Activawear
Free to all Expo and Conference attendees
Lunch Break
2:00–2:40 pm
The Pickleball Club of 2036: Intelligent by Design, Human at Heart
Keynote: Ben Virdee-Chapman, VP of Marketing, CourtReserve
2:45–3:30 pm
Philanthropy with a Purpose: Recycling for Our Next Gen
Panel moderator: Adam Bricker, Conference VP Marketing
- Mark Cerezin, Founder/CEO Pickleball Talks Podcast/TV Show
- Russ Coogan, Founder, Elevation Pickleball/Industry Collaborator
- Dillon Rosenthal, Founder/CEO, BounceBack Pickle
3:35–3:45 pm
Afternoon Refresher Break sponsored by DPC/PlayerU
3:50–4:30 pm
Building Player-Friendly Indoor/Outdoor Facilities
Panel moderator: Carl Foster, Conference Chairman
- Glenn Gara, Founder/CEO, 1st Source Lighting
- Jeff McClure, VP of Sales, Fast-Dry Courts
- Rene Prats, DPC Developer & CEO, Prats Enterprises
4:45–6:00 pm · Hilton West Palm Beach
2026 Golden Pickle Business Awards presented by DUPR
WPC Cocktail Reception, Raffle & Booksigning
- Raffle: VPA Tour JOOLA Paddle
- Books: Dr. Joy Macci, Quantum Pickleball; Carl Foster and Authors, The Pickleball Effect; Adriana Falco, Pickleball Pip and the Great Zoo Rescue
- Portion of proceeds go to Veterans Pickleball Assoc. (501c3)
2027 World Pickleball Conference
Mark your calendars! The World Pickleball Conference is taking to the high seas with Dailey Travels in March 2027 for an exclusive sailing event featuring educational sessions, networking and pickleball. ●
About Carl Foster
Carl Foster is the Chairman of the World Pickleball Conference and the CEO of Foster Events Group, LLC, where he specializes in the production and management of high-profile sports and entertainment events. With over 50 years of experience in broadcasting, fundraising, and event leadership, he produces Inside WORLD Pickleball and serves as a lead moderator for industry summits. He is a central figure in the professionalization of pickleball, connecting technology experts, organizational leadership, and the player community to elevate the sport’s presence on a global scale.
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