The Playeasy Warmup

As the World Cup heads to Philadelphia, youth soccer is preparing for a defining moment. Karly Kaminsky of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer joins us to discuss marketing youth sports, sponsor integration, data-driven growth, and inspiring the next generation, especially girls, to get in the game.

What does it take to run 65 youth tournaments with just 22 people?

Cait Schmelz and Andrew Dahir of Elite Tournaments share what truly separates good events from great ones – from vendor villages and athlete experience to weather chaos, parking stress, and destination partnerships that actually work.

An honest, practical conversation for anyone in sports tourism.

In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we’re flipping the script on The Playeasy Warmup.

In this special episode, Playeasy Co-Founder & CEO Kerri Shields steps into the guest seat as her close friend Cam Cronin takes over hosting duties. Kerri reflects on her journey as an athlete, founder, and leader – sharing the moments, challenges, and lessons that have shaped her along the way.

From growing up in sports, to navigating coaching changes and setbacks in college, to playing and studying abroad in Northern Ireland, Kerri opens up about how sport has given her confidence, resilience, and a deep belief in community. She also shares how those experiences led to the creation of Playeasy and continue to influence how she leads today.

This conversation explores representation, mentorship, authenticity in leadership, and why creating more pathways for girls and women in sports – both on and off the court – matters now more than ever.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Albert Talafuse, Founder and CEO of Pond Hopper Nation, to explore how fishing can be a powerful driver of community engagement, accessibility, and sports tourism.

Albert shares how a simple idea — taking a few kids fishing — evolved into a national movement that has introduced more than 20,000 children to the sport. From free youth and family fishing events to building partnerships with destinations across the country, Pond Hopper Nation is breaking down barriers and creating inclusive outdoor experiences for all ages and abilities.

The conversation dives into what it takes to host large-scale youth fishing events, what makes a great destination partner, and why early exposure to outdoor sports can lead to lifelong participation. Albert also discusses his current Children’s Fishing Event RFP on Playeasy and how communities can think about these events not just as local programming, but as meaningful drivers of sports tourism and economic impact.

Whether you’re a destination leader, event organizer, or someone passionate about expanding access to outdoor recreation, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how fishing connects people, places, and purpose.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, presented by The Playeasy Innovators Summit, Kerri sits down with Anthony Holman, Vice President of Championships and Alliances at the NCAA, to break down what destinations need to know about the upcoming NCAA bid cycle.

Anthony oversees the strategic direction of more than 90 NCAA championships and brings a unique perspective, having worked on both the destination and organizer sides of major events. Together, they unpack how the bid process has evolved, why the NCAA shifted to a three-year cycle, and what truly differentiates an average bid from an exceptional one.

The conversation dives into the growing importance of data, technology, and community buy-in – from local organizing committees and hotel partners to fan experience and student-athlete care. Anthony also shares real-world examples of creative bids, lessons learned from past championships, and where NCAA championships are headed next.

Whether you’re preparing your first NCAA bid or refining a long-term hosting strategy, this episode offers candid insight from someone shaping the future of championship hosting from the inside.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Paul Rigault, Founder & CEO of the DØDS Diving League (DDL), one of the fastest-growing extreme sports leagues in the world.

What started as a niche Norwegian phenomenon has evolved into a global sports and media property broadcast to over 200 million households worldwide. Paul shares how DØDS Diving has reimagined competitive diving through a media-first model, athlete-driven storytelling, and an event experience that blends sport, culture, and entertainment.

The conversation explores:

• What it takes to build a new sport in today’s media landscape

• How cities can position themselves to attract emerging leagues

• Why Gen Z fan behavior is reshaping live events and broadcasts

• The league’s expansion beyond Norway, including Tobago and a potential U.S. stop in Boston

• The launch of the DDL Collegiate Tour and its pipeline from amateur to pro

If you’re interested in the future of sports, media, and destination strategy – this episode is for you.

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.