We’re looking back at the moments that defined 2025 on The Playeasy Warmup. From leadership and innovation to community impact and destination partnerships, this special Wrapped episode revisits the conversations that inspired us most – and sets the tone for what’s ahead.

In our latest episode of The Playeasy Warmup, presented by Sports City USA: Frisco, Texas, we’re joined by Erich Groezinger from the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) for a powerful and eye-opening conversation on adaptive sports.

As the oldest and largest disabled sports organization in the world, the NWBA supports thousands of athletes across youth, adult, collegiate, women’s, and military divisions – and produces championship events that bring real economic impact to host destinations.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How wheelchair basketball builds a full athlete pipeline
• What destinations need to know to successfully host adaptive sports events
• Common misconceptions around accessibility and event logistics
• Why long-term partnerships matter for lasting community impact

Whether you’re a destination considering hosting an adaptive sports event or someone who believes in the power of sports to change lives, this episode offers insight, perspective, and practical takeaways.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup Podcast, host Kerri Shields sits down with Josh Dill, Assistant Executive Director at Visit Frisco, to explore how Frisco became Sports City USA – one of the country’s most dynamic sports tourism destinations.

Presented by Sports City USA: Frisco, Texas, this conversation covers:

• Building long-term destination partnerships

• Using data & scorecards to evaluate sports events

• Launching the groundbreaking docu-series Where Greatness Grows

• Preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and PGA Championship

• Why community impact matters as much as economic impact

Presented by Sports City USA – Frisco, Texas

Laura Balestrini joins the Playeasy Warmup Podcast to share how FootGolf grew from a small startup sport into an international movement, and what’s ahead as the 2026 FootGolf World Cup approaches.

This special episode of The Playeasy Warmup spotlights the 2025 Playeasy Purpose Project honorees – four organizations nominated by our destination partners for the life-changing impact they create every day.

You’ll hear:

• Rochester Accessible Adventures, nominated by Visit Rochester, as Executive Director Anita O’Brien shares how her team is removing barriers in recreation and transforming what inclusive play looks like nationwide.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico, nominated by Discover Puerto Rico, as CEO Alma Frontera discusses their two-generation model and how sports, education, and mentorship empower over 16,500 youth and families each year.

• P.U.N.T Pediatric Cancer Collaborative, nominated by the Buffalo Sports Commission, with Gwen Mysiak and James Adler sharing powerful stories of dignity, financial relief, bereavement support, and hope for families navigating pediatric cancer.

• MontCo Anti-Hunger Network, nominated by Valley Forge Sports, as Executive Director Shannon Isaacs explains how food security, collaboration, and innovation are strengthening the Montgomery County community.

From inclusive recreation to pediatric cancer support, youth empowerment, and food security, these leaders show us the power of purpose-driven work. Their stories remind us why sports, community, and connection matter, and how each of us can make a difference.

This episode of The Playeasy Warmup is presented by Visit Frisco.

Host Kerri Shields sits down with Juan I. Blanco, Founder of Four Fangs Events and Partner at Parallex, to explore how multicultural marketing and mission-driven partnerships are shaping the future of youth soccer in America.

Juan shares how his work connects Hispanic communities with elite competition opportunities, the story behind events like the Pioneer Soccer Cup, and the role destinations play in fostering inclusivity through sport.

From growing grassroots programs to preparing for the 2026 World Cup, Juan and Kerri dive into what it takes to build authentic relationships, create legacy events, and keep community impact at the center of sports tourism.

This special episode is the replay of our biggest webinar yet. Sean Flaherty breaks down Playeasy’s new structure — Playeasy Network (destinations ↔ event organizers) and Playeasy Experiences (destinations ↔ visitors) — and why we’re organizing to mirror how DMOs actually work today. You’ll hear from new Playeasy Network CEO Kerri Shields, plus candid conversations with Visit Salt Lake (Kim Dalby) and Destination Ann Arbor (Katherine Johnson) on the AI/SEO reality DMOs are facing right now.
Then we debut Compass: Pointing visitors to the soul of your destination — an AI-powered, CMS-synced experience you can drop on event pages, partner sites, and in-market activations to drive real engagement back to your owned content. We wrap with pricing/next steps and the announcement of the 2026 Playeasy Innovators Summit in Ann Arbor, MI.
If you missed the live reveal, this is the one to listen to.

Presented by Visit Frisco – Sports City, USA

From a viral concept to ESPN and Olympic aspirations, Steve Williams, co-founder and CEO of Pillow Fight Championship, joins host Kerri Shields to talk about how a fun idea turned into a worldwide sports phenomenon. Tune in to hear how PFC became one of the most talked-about emerging sports, its path toward official recognition, and what it takes to host your own event.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Dalton Rakestraw, Second Vice President of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA). At just 29 years old, Dalton is helping lead one of America’s oldest sports into its next generation – expanding participation, modernizing operations, and building community across the country.

From family traditions and world championships to big-picture growth and grassroots passion, Dalton shares how horseshoe pitching continues to bring people together while embracing change.

🎙️ Sponsored by Visit Frisco

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, host Kerri Shields sits down with Nick Povalitis, founder of Plus Seven Company. With nearly two decades of experience in sports marketing, destination development, and event production, Nick shares his journey from college athletics to building one of the most innovative agencies in sports tourism. They dive into the growth of the World Breaking Classic, why local foundations matter for national events, and how storytelling and relationships shape long-term success.