Pickleball Innovators
Pickleball Innovators
5.0from 1 ratings
- 17
- Episodes
- 1
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Pickleball Innovators
Podcast by Pickleball Innovators
- Publisher
- Pickleball Innovators
- Category
- business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 3 Feb 2026
- Latest episode
- 5 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
17 episodes in the feed.
5 Oct 2026
AI That Gives Club Staff Time Back for Members with Brandon Hurter of Pivot180
Pickleball clubs are scaling into full hospitality operations faster and faster everyday. Brandon Hurter, the founder and CEO of Pivot180, argues that AI can absorb the administrative load without diluting the high-touch member experience. A technology marketer by training, Hurter launched Pivot180 as an AI advisory that helps small and mid-sized businesses turn AI strategy into working automation. On this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Hurter joins editor-in-chief and host Rachel Chonko to break down the operational pressures facing club operators, the specific AI workflows de's deploying for membership organizations and trends reshaping club technology. His advice — identify repetitive, friction-heavy tasks that consume staff time and hand them to AI so teams can spend more time with members.
24 Aug 2026
Play Pickleball is Building a Digital Home for Players, Coaches and Facilities
Play Pickleball is working to unify a fragmented pickleball ecosystem, connecting player discovery with facility operations through one platform. CEO Matt Jarvis and CTO Kurtis Campbell (following Play Pickleball's acquisition of Campbell's Pickleball Manager) discuss how the merged platforms aim to link tournament and league management with player discovery, helping facilities retain players beyond their first visit through pathways into leagues, lessons and programming. The conversation covers the industry's shift toward facilities as community and entertainment destinations, an "AI-first" approach to product development, and Play Pickleball's ambition to become the connective digital layer between players, coaches and facilities.
18 Aug 2026
IQSport Turns Player Data into a Court-Filling Strategy for Pickleball Clubs
One of the biggest challenges for pickleball club operators is figuring out what to do with all the data they collect. Court bookings, player attendance and membership activity can provide a detailed picture of how a club is performing. But that information often remains scattered across different platforms or requires operators to spend hours interpreting it. IQSport Intelligence is designed to close that gap, turning historical player and club data into actionable insights that can help operators fill courts and make smarter programming decisions. In this episode, co-founder of IQSport Vlad Shetinin, and IPC CEO and founder Chris Sears, share what the platform does and how it helps operators understand their players to give them the best playing experience possible.
10 Aug 2026
Good Game Sports Aims to Help Clubs Do More with Every Event
As the pickleball industry shifts from open play to more structured, competitive formats, club operators face a new challenge: how do you run engaging events without doubling your staff? For Dinakar Talluri, founder of Good Game Sports, the answer started with a problem he saw firsthand — a lifelong competitive tennis player who picked up pickleball in 2020, he began renting courts in the D.C. area to run weekend tournaments and got tired of fielding the same questions from players about who they were playing next. He built software to put those answers directly in players' hands, growing it from a tool for local facilities into a licensed platform now used nationwide, with more than 20 event formats that let operators run ladder leagues, MLP-style events and more without being locked into one structure. In this episode, Talluri shares: -How building an app to solve his own tournament headaches turned into Good Game Sports -Why nearly 90% of facility registrations now come through event registrations, not open play -How giving players more control unlocks two to three times the events with the same staff -The shift away from open play toward ladder leagues, MLP events and more competitive formats -Why Good Game Sports built 20+ formats instead of forcing operators into one system -What he's most looking forward to as a partner at the 2026 Pickleball Innovators Summit For club operators, this episode offers a practical look at running more events without adding headcount — including how handing players more control over scoring and check-in can unlock extra revenue, why event-based programming is outpacing open play, and what to consider when choosing tournament software that adapts to your facility instead of dictating how you run it. 🎙️ Guest: Dinakar Talluri, Founder, Good Game Sports Subscribe to our newsletter: https://pickleball-innovators.beehiiv.com/ Visit our website: https://pickleballinnovators.com/ Follow us on our socials - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballinnovators/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pickleball-innovators/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickleballinnovators/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pickleballinnovators/
20 Jul 2026
Turning Franchising into a Growth Engine with Dill Dinkers' Will Richards
As the pickleball franchise landscape matures, one question keeps coming up: what separates operators built to last from those chasing the next gold rush? For Will Richards, the founder of Dill Dinkers, the answer comes down to discipline — knowing which leases to walk away from, which independents to bring into the fold and how to build a network that gives members a reason to stay loyal wherever they travel. With nearly 40 locations signed and more on the way, Dill Dinkers has grown from a single Mid-Atlantic concept into a national franchise linking clubs together so members can play anywhere in the country. Richards believes the next few years will bring real consolidation to the industry, and that the operators who survive it will be the ones who understood their real estate, their data and their player experience from day one. In this episode, Will shares: -Why nearly 40 leases signed still isn't enough to slow down expansion plans -How the Dill Dinkers membership model is turning independent players into a competitive advantage -Why he believes industry consolidation is coming — and what separates the clubs that will survive it -The real estate philosophy behind a "defensible lease," and why bigger isn't always better -How Dill Dinkers is helping struggling independent clubs convert to the franchise model -An inside look at Certified Pickleball Player, the AI-driven rating system reshaping how clubs program for their members Whether you're evaluating your next lease, thinking about franchising, or trying to figure out where the industry is headed next, this episode offers a candid, on-the-ground perspective on what it really takes to scale a pickleball business. 🎙️ Guest: Will Richards, Founder, Dill Dinkers
24 Jun 2026
The Play-and-Stay Model: Inside Pickle Athletics with Founder Kady Pooler
As pickleball clubs continue to evolve, many operators are asking the same question: How do you create a facility people don't just play at, but genuinely want to be a part of? For Kady Pooler, founder of Pickle Athletics in Oakland, California, the answer lies in what she calls the "play-and-stay" model. A former professional tennis player turned first-time pickleball club owner, Pooler has built Pickle Athletics around the idea that today's operators aren't simply providing courts — they're creating a pickleball club community. From coffee and wine bars to fitness amenities, social events and intentional programming, every detail is designed to bring people together and keep them coming back. In this episode, Kady shares: -The unexpected journey that led her from professional tennis to pickleball entrepreneurship -Why she believes community and real-life connection are some of the biggest opportunities in the industry today -How Pickle Athletics transformed a former car dealership into a thriving social hub -The philosophy behind the "play-and-stay" model and creating a true third place -Why programming and great coaching are essential to member engagement and retention -What she's learned as a first-time club owner navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship Whether you're opening your first facility, refining your member experience or exploring new ways to foster connection, this episode offers practical insights on building a pickleball club community that extends far beyond the courts. 🎙️ Guest: Kady Pooler, Founder and Owner, Pickle Athletics To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: https://linkly.link/2kMH3
12 May 2026
Pickleball Insurance Trends and the Hidden Risks Club Owners Miss
As pickleball clubs continue to expand across the country, many operators are focused on growth, court utilization and member acquisition. But according to Cameron Linder, one of the biggest risks operators face may actually be hidden in the fine print of their insurance policies. As the CEO of Pickleball Insurance Program (PIP), Cameron has a front-row seat to the claims, coverage gaps and operational mistakes facilities are making as the industry matures. In this episode, Cameron shares: -Common insurance exclusions pickleball club operators are still overlooking -The real risks facilities face as competition and participation grow -Why proper documentation and video retention matter when injuries happen -How operators should think about insurance as a long-term business partnership -The value of intimate networking events like the Pickleball Innovators Summit -Why relationship-driven events create better conversations than large trade shows -His outlook on the future of the pickleball club industry and where it’s headed next -Why pickleball has the potential to strengthen community connection in a post-COVID world Whether you’re opening your first facility or scaling multiple locations, this episode offers valuable perspective on protecting your business while building for long-term success. 🎙️ Guest: Cameron Linder, CEO, Pickleball Insurance Program (PIP) To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
5 May 2026
Inside Canada’s Pickleball Market Through the Lens of IPOP
While many pickleball operators are focused on fast expansion and filling warehouse space, Chris White took a different approach in Canada. He built IPOP as a partnership-driven model — one that works alongside nonprofits, municipalities and local communities to solve one of the sport’s biggest challenges: access to courts. The result? A pickleball concept that’s less about real estate arbitrage and more about infrastructure, inclusivity and long-term growth. From public-private partnerships to health-focused programming and culturally inclusive leagues, IPOP is an example of what a pickleball facility can be in an underserved market. In this episode, Chris shares: -Why IPOP was built as a for-profit working with nonprofits — not against them -How public-private partnerships are unlocking new facility opportunities -The reality of operating in a high-cost, low-supply market like Canada -Why programming — not just courts — is the key to long-term success -How inclusive, community-based initiatives are driving retention and growth -The opportunity to position pickleball as a health and wellness solution -His concerns around saturation — and why “if you build it, they will come” doesn’t work Whether you’re an operator, investor or pickleball entrepreneur, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to grow sustainably — especially in markets where the traditional playbook doesn’t apply. 🎙️ Guest: Chris White, Founder & CEO, IPOP To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
22 Apr 2026
Why Pickle on Penn Skipped the Warehouse and Built a Country Club Instead
When everyone else was converting grocery stores and warehouses into pickleball facilities, Kelly Bodner went a different direction. She built Indiana's first ground-up, purpose-built indoor pickleball club from dirt — and modeled it after a country club. The result? Pickle on Penn in Carmel, Indiana: eight cushioned courts, locker rooms stocked with the essentials, a boutique pro shop, and a restaurant and bar overlooking the courts. Members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues in exchange for free court time, free open play, and high-end amenities. In this episode, Kelly shares: -Why she chose a membership model over pay-to-play -What the country club approach gets right about retention and community -How she broke up cliques and built real friendships among members -The truth about adding a restaurant to your pickleball club -What she'd do differently — and why she'd do it all again Whether you're an operator, investor or pickleball entrepreneur, this episode is packed with honest, hard-won insight from someone who built something genuinely different in a crowded market. 🎙️ Guest: Kelly Bodner, Owner, Pickle on Penn | Carmel, Indiana To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe 🎾 Topics: Club membership models, country club pickleball, facility design, community building, restaurant strategy
8 Apr 2026
How Boston Pickle Club Turned Tournaments Into a Growth Engine
In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Michael Wilmot — Chief Growth Officer at Boston Pickle Club — breaks down how BPC built the New England Tournament Series into a six-event, year-long competitive circuit that's growing 25 to 30 percent with every leg. Wilmot shares why they walked away from paid marketing in favor of a grassroots approach built on player influencers and early registration momentum, how DUPR has become one of their most powerful recruiting tools for developing players, and why the off-court experience is just as important as anything happening on the courts. He also gets into what surprised them most about repeat participation — and why that turned out to be an opportunity rather than a problem. For operators who want to turn tournaments into more than a one-time event — and build something players keep coming back for — this one is worth your time. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
24 Mar 2026
Goat Yoga, Mahjong and More: Wolverine Pickleball Goes Beyond Courts to Create a True Community Hub
In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Christy Howden — owner of Wolverine Pickleball Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan — shares how she built one of the most community-driven facilities in the country, one intentional decision at a time. From beach tennis and bocce to mahjong and goat yoga, Wolverine Pickleball has become something far bigger than a place to play. Howden opens up about what she learned from her first warehouse location that she couldn't have learned anywhere else, why community building has to be cultivated rather than hoped for, and the uncomfortable conversations every operator needs to be willing to have about programming quality. She also shares what genuinely surprised her most about running a pickleball club — and it has nothing to do with courts. For operators who want to build something people actually show up for — and keep showing up for — this one is for you. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
18 Mar 2026
Work ON Your Business, Not In It: What to Expect at the 2026 Pickleball Innovators Summit
Curious about the 2026 Pickleball Innovators Summit and what all it entails? In this Discovery Session webinar, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Chonko sits down with Mitch Dunn, founder of The Pickle Lodge and returning attendee, and Andrew Herrera, Director of Specification Sales at LSI Industries and returning sponsor, to pull back the curtain on what the Summit actually looks and feels like from the inside. They cover the intimate, working-session format that sets it apart from traditional industry events, the peer-to-peer round tables where operators share the nitty-gritty of what’s actually working (and what isn’t), and the intentional networking design that ensures you leave knowing nearly everyone in the room. You’ll also get a preview of this year’s round table topics — court utilization, programming and revenue, member retention, leadership and culture, and youth and beginner growth — plus a look at the special Q&A session with an EVP at The Bay Club Company. The 2026 Summit takes place October 12–14 at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona. Spots are limited to 45 operators. If you’re an owner, founder, GM, or multi-location operator wondering whether this event deserves a spot on your calendar, this is the place to start. To learn more or register, email rachel@peakemedia.com or visit peakemediaevents.com/pbisummit. To inquire about sponsoring, email rico@peakemedia.com.
10 Mar 2026
The Antidote to Screen Time: How RECS Is Rebuilding Human Connection Through Pickleball
What happens when a passion for human connection becomes a business model? For Kevin Richards, it became RECS — and a blueprint for what a pickleball club community can look like at its best. In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Kevin — CEO and founder of RECS in Portland, Oregon — shares how a decade-long journey from building pickleball's first algorithm-based rating system led him to open a club rooted in what he calls "analog connectivity": the belief that people are starving for real, in-person connection, and that pickleball is one of the best vehicles we have to deliver it. From the hospitality-first philosophy that turned members into loyalists, to the membership structure and lease lessons every operator needs to hear, to why he's building a nonprofit arm to get kids off screens and onto courts — Kevin brings a grounded, mission-driven perspective to pickleball club ownership that's as practical as it is inspiring. For club operators who want to build something people actually show up for, this one is worth your time. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
4 Mar 2026
Center Court Pickleball's 4th Location Is a "2.0" — Here's What They Changed
What does 30 years in the global fitness industry teach you about running a pickleball club? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Tim Keightley — CEO of Center Court Pickleball in the Phoenix Valley — breaks down how he's applying decades of health and fitness expertise to build one of the most member-focused pickleball club brands in the country. From the lessons learned opening three locations that are already reshaping their fourth, to why they pulled back on some amenities, to the injury prevention gap he believes the entire pickleball industry needs to address — Tim brings a refreshingly grounded, long-game perspective to pickleball club management and growth. For club operators looking to build something sustainable in an increasingly competitive market, this one is worth your time. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
24 Feb 2026
The Globalization of Pickleball and Its Next Phase, with Seymour Rifkind
In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Seymour Rifkind — founder and president of the World Pickleball Federation and the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association, and founder of the Pickleball Hall of Fame — shares his global perspective on the rapid international expansion of pickleball. The conversation explores where the sport is growing fastest around the world, why Asia represents a massive opportunity, and what still needs to happen before pickleball can realistically make its Olympic debut. For club operators, it’s an eye-opening look at how the globalization of pickleball could shape competition, talent pipelines and long-term industry growth. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
17 Feb 2026
Cut Downtime, Increase Revenue: The Power of Pickleball Tournament Software
In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Kurtis Campbell — founder of Pickleball Manager and former professional pickleball player — shares how tournament and league software is transforming club operations. The conversation explores how automation, accurate data tracking and seamless digital experiences can reduce court downtime, free staff time and increase revenue. For pickleball operators, it’s a practical look at why technology is quickly becoming a competitive advantage rather than an optional upgrade. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
3 Feb 2026
Ace Pickleball Club National Championship Highlights Power of Member-First Competitive Programming
Ace Pickleball Club (APC) brought qualified members from 17 clubs across the country together January 27 through February 1 for the 2026 APC National Championship, delivered with DoorDash. The six-day event served as the culmination of the organization’s 2025 Championship Series — a six-stop, members-only competition that generated over 7,000 player registrations throughout the year and represented significant growth from the prior year’s total of 507 participants. While the scale of the event — including a $250,000 prize pool and more than 2,500 matches — positioned APC as a major player in competitive pickleball, the philosophy behind the tournament reveals a broader strategic lesson for operators: the championship is less about elite competition and more about member experience. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: https://pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 1 ratings
Contact Pickleball Innovators
- Guest appearances
- Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Pickleball Innovators?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show
Podcast research with Pod Engine