Why I loved the PTR/PPR International Racquets Conference 2026

2026 was my second time exhibiting at the International Racquets Conference. Like last year, I was impressed with the organization of the event. Unlike last year, I was also impressed with the hotel and how they upgraded the rooms. The trade show location needs improvements imo, but I’m sure they will handle that for next year.

The Saddlebrook Resort upgrades are visible indoors and outdoors. The resort features 451 guest rooms and suites, championship golf, 41 courts—including all four Grand Slam surfaces—and 8 dedicated pickleball courts.

The guest room upgrades were quite impressive. I had a very nice 1-bedroom suite with a kitchen, and I loved it, although I only stayed for one night. The only issue I shared with the resort: The signage leading to the rooms and back to the resort center should be improved. They’re a little hard to read when you walk back from a Casino Night event where you had a few adult beverages. LOL

The registration area was spacious, had a large sitting area, and a snack station (not in the photo). The staff working at registration were friendly and quick.

The Program

Being there for only one day and manning my trade show table didn’t allow me to attend many lectures. The few I observed were outstanding, like It's Not Rocket Science, It's Racket Science with Mitch Case. I have never seen anyone with more knowledge on tennis racquets!

The speaker below is Kim Bastable. Her lecture titled Leading Through Invisible Conflict: The Leadership Skill the Next Generation Demands was remarkable. It showed her breadth of knowledge and experience as the Director of Professional Racquets Management at the University of Florida - Department of Sport Management.

My favorite lecture was Parks & Rec with Laura Bowen. I didn’t know that Laura’s background was business and not tennis. Her approach to making sure tennis is properly represented at Florida’s public courts is amazing. It includes, when necessary, the Florida section taking over and managing a facility. Quite a successful approach, according to her data.

Although I always thought that Laura Bowen is one of the most capable, down-to-earth USTA section executives, we only met for the first time at the IRC 2026. Many other USTA section executives, especially the ones we have called out in Racket Business over the years, could learn a lot from Laura, in my opinion. She knows how to grow tennis, making her section successful, and doing that with integrity, charm, and brilliance. Laura also invited me to visit Crandon Park, the newest property, which the section is operating. I’m happy to do that during my visit to RacquetX.

The Trade Show

A lot of industry veterans and also newbies represented their companies. I wrote in the opening paragraph that the trade show location needs improvements, and here is why: Nothing beats an exhibition that is (for lack of a better word) spatially enclosed.

In the past 40 years, I have represented companies, including my own, at well over 100 trade shows. Each and every one of them was in an exhibition hall or hotel banquet room with one or more entrances and exits. Many of them had one entrance; people walked around the booths and left again through the same door. That way, most visitors were enticed to walk along every single booth.

That was not the case at the IRC. Instead, all booths were spread out in various corridors of the Saddlebrook main convention area. It made it harder for visitors to find all the booths or determine where the end of the trade show was.

My estimate: Fewer than 25 people found their way to the end of one of the corridors the entire day.

One of the best-looking spots at the IRC trade show: The CourtReserve booth with a trio of cheerful and friendly ladies.

Bill Riddle was walking the trade show with a microphone and a cameraman, interviewing people for a summary video. Click on the image below to see the video.

Another interesting Bill Riddle video asking people at the show, “Why PTR?”

Last but not least: Julie Jilly’s 40-year-anniversary LinkedIn post: 

The above image was posted on Ken DeHart’s Facebook page. Ken wrote, “I hired Julie Jilley when I was the PTR Executive Director 40 years ago. She has been amazing.”