The fifth annual Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference will bring together tennis business owners, managers and decision-makers, with a focus on innovation, growth, business leadership and development. The conference runs from April 9 to 11, with optional specialty courses on Sunday, April 8, and day session registration available.
In addition to featured speakers such as ClubIntel co-founder Stephen Tharrett and ConantLeadership CEO Douglas R. Conant, the conference will feature unique “TOM Talk” sessions focusing on specific topics, then include roundtable discussions. Among TOM Talk presenters will be TPI performance director Dr. Sean Drake, who will discuss the importance of selling fitness with tennis, and Len Simard, a search executive who will present on staffing and hiring.
Other speakers include Kurt Kamperman and Craig Morris of the USTA, sports club marketing expert Casey Conrad, Midtown Athletic Club vice president & general manager Michael Mahoney, PHIT America founder Jim Baugh and Tennis Industry Health & Wellness Advisor Dr. Jack Groppel of Johnson & Johnson’s Human Performance Institute.
The conference will include a Manufacturer-Retailer-Technology “hub” that will feature new and innovative products, which attendees will be able to demo in on-court sessions on Monday, April 9. Manufacturers and companies taking part in the TOM also will be exhibiting in the Resource Center throughout the conference.
The on-court demos will follow an “Equipment Knowledge 101” session by retail experts Dave Emkey of Fromuth Tennis, Adam Burbary of Game-Set-Match, Sean Barkulis of ShopKeep, Josh Myers of Sea Pines Resort and Peg Connor, former manufacturer director of marketing and promotions. Products will include racquets, ball machines, backboards, “smart” technology and more. Coaching legend Nick Bollettieri will also be on-hand during the on-court demos.
“We’re excited to offer these ‘learn-try-test-demo’ sessions so facility owners and managers can learn about the latest products, innovations and technology,” said TIA executive director Jolyn de Boer. “It’s important for staff and players to understand the importance of using the right equipment.”
The tentative schedule for the nine demo courts includes a “smart court” with line-calling and coaching technology, a “smart racquet” demo court, courts to test manufacturers’ latest racquets, a POP Tennis court, a Cardio Tennis court (with CT global education director Michele Krause and MyZone president Emmett Williams) and pickleball courts.
In addition to on-court demos and educational sessions (continuing education credits are available), the TOM Conference also will include an “Innovation Challenge,” networking sessions, digital and social media discussions, recognition of Tennis Industry magazine’s Champions of Tennis winners and more. The start of the conference also coincides with the finals at the nearby Volvo Car Open women’s professional tournament on Daniel Island, SC. Visit TheTOMConference.com for more info.
The Tennis Industry Association, the not-for-profit trade association for tennis, promotes the growth and economic vitality of the business of tennis by working closely with its industry partners and in support of the USTA in their development of initiatives to increase tennis participation. Core TIA activities include producing more than 70 U.S. and global research reports annually on participation and consumer/trade research and managing the largest relational database, along with hosting annual TIA Tennis Forum, Leadership meetings and the TOM Conference at major tournaments and events.
