Welcome to Episode 81 of The Future of Pickleball Show. In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Carl Foster, founder and event director for Foster Events Group, to discuss the upcoming World Pickleball Convention & Conference. Carl also discusses his pickleball journey, the importance of networking and media coverage in growing the sport, and the future of pickleball, including global governance, how to work with different player personalities, and the potential for pickleball in the Olympics.

Welcome to Episode 80 of The Future of Pickleball podcast. In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Will Richards, founder and CEO of Dill Dinkers Pickleball. Will and Paul talk about the growth and development of Dill Dinkers, pickleball franchise models, market changes, the importance of programming, and customer base growth. Will also shares the growth of Dill Dinkers in China, Canada, Australia, and Dubai. "Global expansion will happen, but only with the right partners."

Welcome to Episode 79 of the Future of Pickleball show. In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Ron Ponder, pickleball referee, member of the USA Pickleball rules committee, and the chair of the Officiating Committee for the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). Ron discusses his pickleball journey, how refereeing the sport has evolved over the years, rule changes, and the impact of paddle testing on gameplay. They discuss the responsibilities of pickleball referees, particularly regarding line calls, and the biases players may have. Most referees are dedicated to growing the sport of pickleball and want to do all they can to maintain fair play. Ron also shares the role of the Global Pickleball Federation in growing pickleball internationally, especially in Asia, and why there is a need for a unified governing body to help pickleball grow and eventually (hopefully) be added as an Olympic sport.

Welcome to Episode 78 of the Future of Pickleball Show! In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Scott Winters, co-founder of the Pickleball Management Group. Paul and Scott discuss the atmosphere at the US Open, the rollout courts, and how important player experience in pickleball events can be. Scott also shares his experience in racquetball and how it has formed his approach to pickleball, including lessons he learned from the decline of racquetball. They also discuss the introduction of the new Pickle Deck product, event planning strategies, and the potential for international growth of pickleball.

Welcome to Episode 77 of the Future of Pickleball podcast! In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes a panel of pickleball coaches: Mark Rennesion with Pickleball Coaching International (PCI), Dan Santorum with racketpro (RPO), Sarah Ansbury with the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), and Robert Elliott with the International Foundation of Players Academy (IFPA). The panel discusses their backgrounds and how they got into coaching, the importance of pickleball coaching certification, and the global growth of pickleball. The panel members share different innovative approaches to pickleball education, why authenticity and credibility are the two most important things a coach can have, and their different experiences in growing pickleball around the world. They emphasize the need for collaboration among the different pickleball organizations to ensure pickleball's evolution. The vision for a globally governed sport is an important factor in achieving global recognition and growth of pickleball.

Welcome to Episode 76 of the Future of Pickleball show! In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Mark Renneson, founder of Pickleball Coaching International (PCI) and a key figure in pickleball coaching and education. Marks shares his journey from tennis coaching to pickleball, the importance of video in coaching, innovative approaches to teaching beginners, and the complexities of player ratings. They also explore the partnerships that have helped expand pickleball coaching around the world and the future of Pickleball Coaching International under Selkirk's ownership.

Welcome to Episode 75 of the Future of Pickleball Show! In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Dr. Rommie Maxey, co-owner of the Houston Hammers, a National Pickleball League (NPL) pro team. Dr. Maxey and Paul discuss the future of pickleball, including the effort to establish a global governing body to unify the sport internationally. He also shares his pickleball experience, including owning clubs, training players, and organizing international trips. They explore the growth of pickleball participation, the need for standardization in equipment, and the rising interest in collegiate pickleball.

Welcome to Episode 74 of the Future of Pickleball Show! In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Will Terry, professional illustrator and educator. He shares his experiences in pickleball, self-publishing, and how he came up with the idea of children's books centered around pickleball. Will's book series, Pickleball Paul, is a new way for children to learn about the sport of pickleball and encourages them to get out on the courts themselves.

Welcome to Episode 73 of the Future of Pickleball show! In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes a panel of pickleball media leaders: The Dink Pickleball content writer Erik Tice, Forbes pickleball contributing writer Todd Boss, and The Pickleball Studio host Chris Olson. Together, they discuss the important role of media in maintaining integrity and transparency within the sport of pickleball, the impact of cheating, and the ethical responsibilities of both media and pickleball manufacturers. They also talk about different challenges in pickleball paddle testing and why it will be so important for a pickleball manufacturer trade association to standardize the pickleball industry.

Welcome to Episode 72 of The Future of Pickleball show. In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Yui See Lau, Canada and China director of The Dink Minor League Pickleball and China director for DUPR, to talk about the growth of pickleball in China and Canada, exploring the cultural significance of the sport, the challenges faced in expanding its reach worldwide, and the role of organizations like the Chinese Tennis Association in promoting pickleball. He also shares the importance of a standard pickleball rating system, and how important it will be for collaboration between international entities to help pickleball be recognized as an Olympic-worthy spot.