How to Incorporate Pickleball into Your Next Event

By Catherine McCoy | Photography by ©Bridgewood Resort

A 2023 report cited pickleball as the fastest growing sport in the country, and many new enthusiasts are eager to find a place to play. The report found that close to 20% of U.S. adults had played at least one game in the last 12 months and what’s more, Madison recently was ranked among the top five cities for number of courts per capita.

This meteoric rise in popularity has created regional demand for new courts across the state, and both venues and planners statewide are working to add unique pickleball experiences to conference itineraries.

Capital Area Pickleball Association (CAPA) works to bring together pickleball enthusiasts in the Madison area, and is committed to helping organizations and event planners give individuals of varying experience levels opportunities to compete, socialize and have fun.

According to Kevin McPherson, CAPA board president, pickleball first gained traction in warm weather states. As a result, community members who fly south for the winter brought it back to their Midwest homes. For many years, the sport was dominated by an older population, though now has expanded to the masses and across generations.

Unlike some more physical demanding sports, pickleball is accessible to all ages — the multi-generational aspect is part of its appeal. Players of all demographics are taking interest in the sport, and discovering both indoor and outdoor spaces to bring people together for a quick game.

Lake Geneva Tennis and Pickleball first began offering pickleball services in 2020. “The first two years we saw people 50 to 70 years of age as our target market, but now we are seeing more 25- to 40-year-olds,” says owner John Reed. Its new pickleball- focused facilities will open in early April, and will offer pickleball services for various events, including private parties, birthdays, family reunions, corporate outings, charity events, tournaments and more.

Experts share these helpful tips on how to successfully incorporate pickleball into event offerings.

SCORING WITH LARGE GROUP EVENTS

1. 1. Emphasize accessibility — and first-time fun: Justin Kirkpatrick, assistant spa director at Grand Geneva, found that the simplicity of the sport allows for a general instruction of the game to take place in the beginning of the event and, by the end, more than 75% of players are proficient. “When you create an environment of inclusion and learning, people become excited to try something new,” says Kirkpatrick. “Pickleball has introduced a new demographic to our facility and has created a great sense of community amongst our membership.”
      Because the rules and gameplay are relatively simple to comprehend, expect that some players will be well-acquainted with the rules, while others will have had no exposure. Similarly, given the sport’s fast learning curve, many participants will pick up on the rules and fundamentals quickly.
   2. Get help from the pros: Several country clubs in the Madison area have begun incorporating pickleball courts into facilities and often have a pro on site. McPherson advises event planners to have a staff member on hand to answer any questions, keep play moving and provide some quick tips to ease any nerves that first timers may face.
   3. Flex your schedule: Part of the appeal of pickleball is that games move quickly, and people can come and go as they please. Unlike golf, which can take three to four hours and requires skill, pickleball can easily be integrated into an event schedule.
      But know the timing and demands needed for incorporating pickleball into your event. Reed and his team found that two hours tends to be the appropriate timeframe, with each game taking roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
      Additionally, it is best to take note of where pickleball would best fit into the flow of the event. “In our experience, pickleball has been best used after your meetings have concluded so that the group can use our meeting space in combination with the courts to network, socialize and build team camaraderie,” said Ryan Batley, general manager at Bridgewood Resort. The resort offers complementary pickleball services for resort and restaurant guests.
      Being mindful of how pickleball integrates into an event will be a crucial component of creating opportunities for connection and healthy competition.
   4. Leverage community resources: Beyond the venues that have incorporated pickleball services and courts into their meeting offerings, it is also encouraged that planners research what local entities have pickleball as part of their services.
      “Many parks, schools, churches and tennis clubs now have pickleball courts as part of their programming,” said Batley. “I would check with your local establishments to see what need and desire there may be for more courts in your area.”
      Interacting with local pickleball services is also a great way to integrate the larger community into the event and give guests a reason to learn more about the city’s offerings.

Wisconsin’s Pickleball Venues

Check out the full list below of both private and public venues across the state now offering pickleball services to help with your planning needs.

PRIVATE VENUES:

• Bishops Bay, Middleton
  bishopsbay.com | Contact: (608) 232-4201
• Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva
  grandgeneva.com | Contact: (262) 358-9731
• The Lodge at Leathem Smith, Sturgeon Bay
  thelodgeatls.com | Contact: (920) 743-5555
• Maple Bluff Country Club, Madison
  maplebluffcc.com | Contact: (608) 249-2144
• Pickle Pro Courts, Madison
  pickleprocourts.com | Contact: (608) 640-4099

PUBLIC VENUES:

• Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Neenah
  bridgewoodresorthotel.com | Contact: (920) 720-8000
• Wausau Area Pickleball, Wausau
  wausaupickleball.com | Contact: [email protected]
• Lake Geneva Tennis & Pickleball, Lake Geneva
  lakegenevatennis.com/pickleball/ | Contact: (262) 812-0033