2017 Tennis Industry Summit

The USTA/Midwest Section hosted its first Tennis Industry Summit August 16-17 in Mason, Ohio, in conjunction with the Western & Southern Open.  Organized by the section’s Tennis Industry and Education Committee, the Summit brought together a diverse group of innovators, tennis and community leaders for discussions about how to grow tennis participation.  The event provided a forum for idea-sharing and for establishing partnerships that will help create new play opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

In addition to roundtable discussions and networking, the event included three presentations from industry leaders.  Jim Baugh, Founder and CEO of PHIT America, and former USTA board member and ITA president, spoke on the first day – which was capped off with dinner (and tennis) at the W&S.  Other presenters were Dr. Marc Gillinov, a cardiac surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, who spoke about the virtues of tennis in relation to social, emotional and physical health, and Kim Hendrix, who discussed innovative ways to implement technology and marketing to help keep tennis current and relevant at the local level.

35 industry leaders attended, representing a variety of sports, health and community organizations such as the Federation of High School Athletics and Life Time Fitness.  Although attendees came from different organizations with different types of roles and responsibilities, all of them shared a common goal of using sport and fitness to create stronger, healthier communities.

“I am so pleased with how this first Summit went,” said Denny Schackter, Chair of the Tennis Industry and Education Committee.  “Events like these help grow the grass roots support the tennis industry needs in order to create new, innovative ways to grow the sport and open up new opportunities for all.  I look forward to doing this again next year!”