Pickleball Conferences: What, When, and Where for 2025

Pickleball Conferences: What, When, and Where for 2025

 

Pickleball isn’t just a game; it’s a booming industry redefining sports, recreation, and community engagement. As the fastest-growing sport in North America, pickleball has sparked a wave of conferences and conventions dedicated to collaboration, innovation, and education.

These events are more than just gatherings—they’re where the future of pickleball is shaped.

At IPOP, we know the power of connection and knowledge-sharing in driving growth. That’s why we’re passionate about these events and even envision hosting a pickleball conference of our own someday in beautiful Penticton, BC.

As leaders in pickleball facility development and community building, we recognize how critical it is for businesses, facility operators, and enthusiasts to engage with the broader ecosystem.

Understanding the role of these conferences isn’t just useful—it’s essential for staying competitive and connected in the ever-evolving pickleball industry.

Want to get a leg up in the pickleball industry? Read on.

The Evolution of Pickleball Conferences

A few years ago, dedicated pickleball conferences were virtually nonexistent. While tournaments and casual community events were commonplace, industry-focused gatherings were rare. Fast forward to 2024 and 2025, and the landscape has shifted significantly:

  • PickleCon 2024 was marketed as "the pickleball industry's first convention," reflecting a newfound emphasis on formalized industry events.
  • New additions in 2025 include the expanded APP Tour calendar and conferences like the National Pickleball Convention & Conference in Palm Beach, showcasing the growing demand for structured industry meetups.
  • Forbes recently ran an article about how pickleball is similar to other major North American sports in that it has seminal events (massive tournaments) and conferences (such as Picklecon).

As pickleball’s popularity keeps growing, so has the number of conferences. In 2023, over 11,885 locations in the U.S. offered pickleball facilities, and participation rates continued to climb — according to USA Pickleball, participation has grown 51.8% from 2022 to 2023 and 223.5% from 2020 to 2024. To keep up with this momentum, industry stakeholders are creating more conferences and expanding existing ones.

Essential Pickleball Conferences in 2025

Are you looking to get into the pickleball business next year? Or maybe you want to scope out the latest equipment and apparel?

Whatever the case, check out one or more of the following pickleball events (shout out to David Johnson, Founder of the International Association of Pickleball Facilities, or IAPF, and PickleballCentral for putting together a great little graphic on LinkedIn that had some fantastic information):

Pickleball Minds Dubai Chapter 2025

  • Date: January 16, 2025
  • Location: Taj Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai
  • Details: This premier industry forum convenes leading professionals from the pickleball ecosystem to collaborate and drive business growth in the burgeoning multi-billion-dollar industry.
    • Six panels with over 25 speakers, including 100+ industry leaders, will cover trends, recreational and club business models, growth strategies, business plans, investment models, funding, capital raising, and much more.
    • Engage with investors, decision-makers, club owners, manufacturers, tech providers, and service professionals to forge valuable partnerships.
  • Website: Pickleball Minds Dubai Chapter

Pickleball Club Mastermind 2025

  • Date: January 23–25, 2025
  • Location: Orem, Utah
  • Details: This intensive three-day event is tailored for pickleball club owners and operators aiming to enhance their business operations.
    • Learn strategies to maximize revenue and minimize expenses through curated training sessions.
    • Network with top pickleball club owners and industry-leading business and marketing experts.
    • Gain actionable insights from professionals running successful clubs at the highest level.
    • Gain free insider access to a monthly inner circle, including webinars and a private Facebook group, ensuring ongoing support and knowledge sharing.
  • Website: Pickleball Club Mastermind

Necker Island Pickleball Forum and Pro-Am 2025

  • Date: February 27 – March 4, 2025
  • Location: Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
  • Details: Hosted on Sir Richard Branson's private island, this exclusive week-long event brings together top professionals, coaches, celebrities, investors, and pickleball enthusiasts for a unique blend of sport and networking.
    • Engaging in discussions on topics such as the business of pickleball, real estate opportunities, brand and product development, the role of women in sports, and community impact.
    • Daily clinics for all skill levels, round-robin matches, glow-in-the-dark pickleball sessions, exhibitions, and Pro-Am events.
    • Fundraising activities throughout the week support Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group and the Branson family.
  • Website: Necker Island Pickleball Forum

2025 World Pickleball Annual Convention

  • Date: June 29 – July 1, 2025
  • Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Details: This comprehensive event serves as a central hub for pickleball enthusiasts and professionals, offering:
    • Opportunities to test the latest paddles, gloves, grips, balls, court shoes, apparel, and accessories.
    • Onsite demonstrations and educational sessions led by experts.
    • Featuring pickleball clubs, court software, POS systems, and court builders.
    • An activewear fashion show, wheelchair pickleball demonstrations, and celebrity tournaments.
  • Website: 2025 World Pickleball Annual Convention

PickleCon 2025

  • Date: August 7–10, 2025
  • Location: Kansas City Convention Center, Kansas City, Missouri
  • Details: As an all-inclusive pickleball convention, PickleCon offers:
    • Events tailored to players of all skill levels, including competitive play and skill-building opportunities.
    • Over 100 vendors showcasing the latest pickleball gear, apparel, and accessories.
    • Panels and breakout sessions discussing industry trends and community engagement strategies.
    • Unique activities like a glow-in-the-dark tournament, senior breakfast open play, and a Kansas City eat-ertainment tour.
  • Website: PickleCon

Florida Pickleball Expo 2025

  • Date: September 12–14, 2025
  • Location: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa, FL 33610
  • Details: The Florida Pickleball Expo is a comprehensive event that blends education, competition, and networking for pickleball enthusiasts and professionals.
    • A trade show with B2B and B2C exhibits showcasing leading pickleball brands' latest apparel, accessories, and equipment.
    • Keynote speakers and educational sessions led by industry leaders, focusing on strategy, mental preparation, and pickleball business.
    • Professional players and coaches will lead clinics designed to improve technique and provide actionable insights for players of all skill levels.
  • Website: Florida Pickleball Expo

Pickleball Innovators Summit 2025

  • Date: October 7–9, 2025
  • Location: Omni Tucson National Resort, Tucson, Arizona
  • Details: This exclusive, invite-only event is designed for high-level pickleball owners and executives, focusing on peer collaboration and industry innovation.
    • In-depth conversations on expansion strategies, technology integration, community engagement, and innovative revenue streams.
    • Learn about the latest products and services from sponsors during dedicated demo times.
    • Participate in forward-looking panels addressing the future of pickleball and industry vision.
  • Website: Pickleball Innovators Summit

Non-Pickleball-Specific Conferences

In addition to dedicated pickleball events, several broader sports conferences in 2025 will feature pickleball-related content:

  • International Racquets Conference
    • Date: February 23–27, 2025
    • Location: Saddlebrook Resort, Tampa Bay, Florida
    • Details: Organized by the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), this conference focuses on tennis, pickleball, and padel. It offers workshops for certification in various racquet sports, interactive sessions, tournaments, and networking events, aiming to elevate coaching skills and industry connections.
    • Website: PTR Tennis
  • RacquetX
    • Date: March 22–24, 2025
    • Location: Miami, Florida
    • Details: RacquetX is a festival celebrating all racquet sports, including pickleball. It unites the community and industry professionals, featuring exhibitions, product showcases, and networking opportunities for clubs, parks, players, real estate developers, and investors.
    • Website: The Racquet X
  • Sports ETA Symposium & Facilities Summit
    • Date: April 13–17, 2025
    • Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
    • Details: Hosted by the Sports Events and Tourism Association, this symposium focuses on trends and innovations in sports facilities, including those for pickleball. It features panel discussions, case studies, and networking opportunities for sports tourism professionals and facility managers.
    • Website: Sports ETA

These events provide valuable opportunities for pickleball professionals to engage with the broader sports industry, explore innovations, and expand their networks.

Source

Why You Should Go To Pickleball Conferences

For professionals and facility developers, these conferences provide unparalleled value:

  • Learning Opportunities: Dive into sessions on emerging trends, facility management best practices, and strategies for increasing community engagement.
  • Networking: Build relationships with manufacturers, coaches, and other stakeholders to expand your reach in the industry.
  • Business Growth: Explore franchising, sponsorship, and technology integration opportunities to drive profitability.
  • Hands-On Experience: Test the latest products and technologies shaping the game's future.
  • Inspiration for the Future: At IPOP, we’re constantly inspired by these events and dreaming of one day hosting a conference in Penticton, BC, to bring the global pickleball community together.

Maximizing Your Investment in Pickleball Conferences

To get the most out of these events:

  • Plan Ahead: Identify sessions and exhibitors that are aligned with your business objectives. There will be so much to do and see that you will have to prioritize.
  • Engage Actively: Network with speakers and attendees to create meaningful connections. Ask questions, get email addresses, hand out business cards, and collect as much info as possible.
  • Take Notes: There will be too much info for you to process at once. Focus on taking notes, recording videos, and snapping pics. Then, go back and digest everything.
  • Follow-up: Use insights and contacts gained at the event to implement new strategies and innovations.

Conclusion

The rapid growth of pickleball has given rise to an exciting array of conferences and conventions designed to meet the needs of an evolving industry. Whether you’re looking to stay on top of market trends, enhance your facility, or connect with like-minded professionals, attending these events is an investment in your business's future.

At IPOP, we’re dreaming big—exploring hosting our own pickleball conference in beautiful Penticton, BC, one day. Until then, we’re excited to attend some of these remarkable events and learn from the industry’s best.

The pickleball community is more connected and collaborative than ever—be a part of it.

Want to learn more about all things pickleball? Check out IPOPs blogs here. Plus, you’ll want to get the inside scoop on how our new indoor pickleball facility at The City of Lougheed came together.

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