by HANA PAPACO
MANAGER OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
PICKLEBALL TAKES CENTER STAGE
National Recreation and Park Association Conference features full-size court at annual event .
USA Pickleball displayed a big presence at the National Recreation and Park Association ( NRPA ) Annual Conference in early October in Dallas , Texas . The conference brought together more than 8,300 parks and recreation leaders from across the country and 500-plus exhibitors . Attendees were able to take part in learning sessions on how to enhance their programs , listen to keynote speakers , try out new equipment , and network with counterparts .
As pickleball continues to grow in communities across the country , questions regarding programming , noise mitigation , and facility development are on the rise . USA Pickleball ’ s Recreation and Facility Development teams were on-site to connect with attendees and help answer questions about recreational pickleball .
“ The NRPA Annual Conference provides USA Pickleball a phenomenal opportunity to showcase our programming solutions and facility expertise to park and recreation directors ,” said Hope Tolley , USA Pickleball ’ s managing director of recreational programs . “ There is an increasing demand for pickleball to be implemented in communities and parks nationwide , and we appreciate the opportunity to assist and direct them appropriately .”
Attendees who craved more in-depth pickleball insight joined an industry panelist session that included USA Pickleball CEO Mike Nealy or a Q & A with Carl Schmits , USA Pickleball ’ s managing director of equipment standards and facility development .
For the second straight year , USA Pickleball has changed the atmosphere of the NRPA conference with the contribution of two courts in the sports demo zone . Thanks to USA Pickleball partners Sport Court and Pickleball United , the companies were able to set up a full-size pickleball court with their surface and flooring adjacent to the USA Pickleball booth .
Interested attendees were able to kick off their heels , remove suit jackets and play pickleball during the conference .
“ Sport Court was honored to partner with USA Pickleball at the NRPA conference to highlight our innovative modular surface engineered specifically for pickleball ,” said Stephanie Corrigan , director of brand and product marketing . “ We love that USA Pickleball is always looking to highlight as many different pickleball solutions as possible to show the attendees at NRPA that there are a multitude of options available to fit the varying needs of outdoor and indoor parks and recreation facilities .”
Pickleball United was also in attendance with its roll-out surface and was able to gift the actual court to a lucky Parks and Recreation department at the end of the conference .
“ We take great pride in being a USA Pickleball Official Surface and it is an honor to exhibit in front of such a great audience like NRPA ,” said Nate Parsons , Pickleball United America president and HCA Sports owner . “ We look forward to next year ’ s conference and helping support the growth of pickleball .”
Pickleball continues to be the hot topic among parks and recreation departments across the country and USA Pickleball looks forward to offering its continued support . •
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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 | MAGAZINE 67