News

Hilton Head Island, SC — Hilton Head Island, SC will provide the backdrop for the Tennis Industry Association’s inaugural “Tennis Facility Owners & Managers Workshop” on October 13-14, 2012. The Saturday/Sunday workshop is geared exclusively toward tennis facility owners and managers and invites them to join the panel of expert speakers that have been selected to lead sessions that center around the theme of “Healthy Businesses = Healthy Profits.”

“The tennis marketplace and competitive landscape in the tennis industry continues to evolve,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer, “and as the trade association for our sport the TIA continues to focus our efforts on providing tools and resources to help tennis businesses remain competitive, stay abreast of emerging trends, grow their businesses, and ultimately, grow the sport.”

Key focus areas for this year’s workshop will include successful staffing, profitable retailing, proven programming for adults and juniors, and utilizing technology to drive membership and retention. In addition, roundtable discussions will allow attendees to share best practices, success stories, and experiences. “One of the key elements we’ve found from visiting conferences and workshops is that some of the best learning and most valuable time for attendees occurs through the shared experiences with peers,” de Boer adds.

Speakers include Tom Daglis, director of Methodist University’s PTM Program; Doug Cash of Cashflow Tennis; a USTA 10 and Under Tennis Representative; Rod Heckelman of Mount Tam Racquet Club in California and a member of the TIA Facility Panel; and Bruce Levine of Courtside Racquet Club in New Jersey and member of the TIA Retail Panel.

The TIA’s research partner, Sports Marketing Surveys, will present key research trends that impact tennis facility owners and managers and provide more insight into how facility managers and owners can utilize TIA research to help them in their strategic business planning.

Cardio Tennis Program Manager Michele Krause will provide attendees with a Cardio Tennis workout on Sunday from 7 to 8 a.m., allowing them to experience firsthand the excitement and energy Cardio Tennis can bring to their businesses. “Cardio Tennis has over 1.3 million players in the short lifespan of the program,” says Krause, “and the structure of the program that allows 8 players to be on one court at once is a great way for facility owners and managers to maximize their revenue per court hour.”

The conference begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 13) at the Sonesta Resort in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head Island. A happy hour/meet-and-greet will be at 5 p.m. On Sunday, after Cardio Tennis, workshops sessions begin at 9 a.m. and continue to 4:00 p.m. and include a catered lunch. All Sunday sessions will take place at the Shipyard Beach Club.

Tennis facility owners and managers who wish to attend the workshop can complete their registration and payment of the $295 workshop fee online through TennisIndustry.org. The fee includes all workshops, TIA facility and retail manuals, Tennis Industry marketplace reports and Cost of Doing Business Surveys, Cardio Tennis workout, Saturday cocktail reception and Sunday lunch. The Sonesta Resort is offering a special rate of $149/night to workshop participants.

For questions regarding registration or general questions about the workshop, please contact Brian O’Donnell at the TIA at (843) 473-4504 or via email at [email protected]