2026 DCA Retreat – The New Standard

Brock Orlowski sums it all up:

A little over a week ago was the third annual Directors’ Club of America retreat at Boca West Country Club, and the flame of excitement cultivated at this retreat has only grown. Social media posts continue to pour in, and conversations haven’t slowed as people seek to recap this culture-shifting retreat.

The 2025 Retreat was spectacular, but the standard is never the standard for long because the bar was raised yet again. The 2026 Retreat took things to a new level of hospitality, community, and industry engagement.

Unity of Concept
Conferences, workshops, and retreats alike always have an agenda. Push initiatives, gain members/followers, and keep the organization moving forward. The unique distinction of the 2026 DCA Retreat is that it shattered these proverbial walls and quelled any opportunity for division.

Jarrett Chirico: There are moments in life that quietly ask us to slow down, to breathe a little deeper, to look a little closer, and to truly be present.

Moments that stir something inside us… that make us dream bigger, push harder, and believe more deeply in what could be.

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To sit at tables with people from the other side of the country, and yet to have common interest and common language is a blessing – something that is a sign of the changing tides of the industry. It is no longer about competing with the “pro down the road” or the like-sized club in your area – it is about raising the level of the whole so that the individual parts may benefit together. Comparison is the thief of joy, and the DCA Retreat broke down those walls to allow everyone to have a voice.

The concept of “racquets and hospitality” is a difficult one to define, but it is one that is felt by your members/clients/customers.

Jennifer Gelhaus: I'd like to share my thoughts on the incredible DCA retreat! I wrote this blog the second I got home. Grateful for everyone I got to interact with the last couple of days.

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Everyone Has a Story
The speaker lineup of the 2026 DCA Retreat was truly a “Murderer’s Row” of excellence. From top executives at industry search firms to World Series Champions, and from top industry GMs to internationally renowned experts in their fields of science, leadership, and business. The retreat continues to take big swings at finding relevant and forward-thinking speakers, and this year was no different. To engage the top professionals in their field for two full days of education is a nearly impossible task, but the beauty of the speaking lineup was its diversity of topics. There was something for everyone, and each person brought their own flair to the stage, telling their stories. While the community is the key to the retreat, the speakers were a collective homerun.

A common denominator throughout the education sessions was undoubtedly that every person has a story, but it is up to that person to write it. The attendees heard from business owners who started with simply an idea, took a risk, and are now thriving in a ruthless environment. The theme of being “scrappy, gritty, and agile” became consistent as each speaker described how they made it to the top of their respective fields.

Conor Shields: At Fromuth Racquet Sports, we’re proud to partner with the Directors Club of America - an organization committed to excellence and setting the standard for the racquet sports industry.

Grateful to have attended the DCA 2026 event at Boca West Country Club, Inc., truly one of the premier clubs in the world. It was an incredible experience connecting with many of the top Directors of Racquet Sports, all focused on moving their clubs forward through innovation in hospitality, membership, leadership, and operations.

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Not one story or speaker was the same, yet they all circled back to their belief in themselves and their work ethic.

It is easy to be demoralized by your position, upbringing, or skillset, but what each speaker continued to beat the drum of was: go for it and work at it. There are always reasons not to do something, but those who desire to be successful will always find a way.

This retreat initiated some new ways of thinking within the industry, not always just about the conventional, but looking more to the outside-the-box thinking.

Vernon Gettone, Jr: Very grateful to have attended an exceptional Retreat at Boca West Country Club, Inc.
The speakers and sessions were excellent and definitely worth remembering.

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How can you fill a need that someone doesn’t even know they have yet? Can you make yourself more valuable by learning new skills? Do you have goals, and what are you doing to achieve them? If your goals don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.

As positions, especially within racquets, but in hospitality in general, continue to evolve, it’s not always about finding the “most qualified” person, but rather the person who is willing to work for it and can be utilized as an asset in more than one area.

The retreat speakers left attendees with a litany of ideas for personal growth, but larger than that, they instilled a sense of confidence in themselves to push past the limits that were previously found insurmountable. Work harder. Think bigger. Go further.

Kyle LaCroix: As the dust settles and the industry returns back to their routines, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate an incredible 2026 Directors Club of America Retreat.

The stars were abundant. Everyone that attended, I am so grateful for. I love and admire all of you, even though I had just met you. It was a special group indeed.

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1. Your community is your greatest asset.
The connection and the bond I felt with my fellow attendees is the strongest it’s ever been. Seeing people via Zoom or speaking only on the phone is a great way to stay connected, but retreats like this allow for that community to grow and the friendships to deepen. It is such a breath of fresh air to bounce ideas, share stories, and connect with like-minded people – something that truly never gets old.

As I reflect on attending years one and two and now seeing how my relationships and network have grown, it brings me so much confidence. Confidence knowing that I can call, text, or reach out to dozens of people who are not only willing to help but actively know me and my unique situation.

Dominique Lemperle: This didn’t feel like a racquets conference. It felt like an elaborate wedding at Boca West Country Club to which racquets industry leaders are invited to engage in thoughtful discussions and wine and dine together like kings and queens.

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2. Never stop learning.
What a convicting, encouraging, and inspiring reality to see people at the retreat of all ages and points in their careers pursuing excellence. No one is above learning, and no ego is too big to listen to others. Continuing education in our field sometimes feels like a means to an end – that people are only pursuing it to get that next job or to get a raise at their club, but to me, education is about getting better as a person from the inside out. How can I become a better, more well-rounded person? Because if I can do that, then I will certainly be a better husband and father, and a better employee and leader. Every opportunity is a chance to learn something new. How often are we allowing ourselves to think and learn before we respond in situations?

Brandon Day: After an incredible three days at the DCA Retreat, it’s clear this is a must-attend event and continues to be the mecca of our industry.
The conversations were unfiltered, raw, and the impact truly trajectory-changing.
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3. Joy is a daily choice.
I found when speaking with colleagues at meals or social events of the retreat that it is easy to find reasons to compare to others or lament my current situation. I was reminded that it doesn’t need to be apples to apples – my situation is mine, and I need to own that and find joy in both the new and the mundane. Joy is a choice, and for me personally, without it, I become a shell of myself. Without joy, I become consumed with achievements, money, and what’s next, and it often comes at the expense of what should be in my periphery.

Jarrett Chirico: A picture says it all. Thank you Dan Santorum for it all. Our industry and the leaders in it are better because of you.

2026 DCA Lifetime Achievement Award winner - no one deserves it more.

I got into the tennis and now racquets industry because it brought me joy. Some days I forget that, and I get inundated with the wrong things – at the end of the day I get to chase around a ball for a living, and I do it because I love it. I hope others felt the way I did after the retreat – a conviction to not just find joy, but to actively choose it daily. We’re in the people business – that’s our job. But our profession is in the joy-delivery business, and we can’t deliver it unless we are practicing it ourselves and demonstrating it to our members.

Take Action
Words are empty without action. Find ways to take what you’ve learned from the retreat and put them into practice. Don’t wait until the next conference or next year’s retreat to make adjustments.

How can you be a unifier in your club or your region? How can you bring people together?

Riley Palmer: I just returned from the Directors Club of America Retreat, hosted at the absolutely stunning Boca West Country Club, Inc. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and well-run facilities I’ve ever experienced. From the impeccable service and hospitality to the breathtaking surroundings and incredible food, every detail was thoughtfully executed.

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How can you take ownership of your story today? What are your goals?

Look for community – never stop learning – choose joy daily.

I can’t wait to see what the 2027 Retreat has in store.

How To Join:
There are multiple membership opportunities for students, individuals, and clubs to join the DCA. See the link below for more information and how to find a new home within the racquets industry.

Matthew Rhineberg: Great week representing PICKLETILE™ at the DCA gathering at Boca West Country Club.

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Brock Orlowski is the Director of Racquet Sports at Fort Wayne Country Club in Fort Wayne, IN.

Brock Orlowski is a graduate of Kuyper College, holds an MBA from Indiana Tech, and a graduate certificate from the University of Florida's Director of Racquet Sports (CDORS) program. Brock has completed the CRSE program with McMahon careers and is certified with the RSPA as an elite tennis professional, elite platform tennis professional, pickleball professional and padel professional.