The Playeasy Warmup

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.

This week on The Playeasy Warmup Podcast, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, we’re talking hockey. Kerri sits down with James, Director & Owner of Weekend Hockey Tournaments, to dive into nearly two decades of building one of North America’s premier hockey tournament organizations.

From Ontario beginnings to 85+ tournaments annually across the U.S. and Canada, Weekend Hockey has become known for its five-star event experience, complete with influencer engagement, player development opportunities, and strong partnerships with host destinations.

In this episode, James shares:

• The journey from leaving his career to launching Weekend Hockey (and the early challenges)
• What makes their tournaments stand out – from awards to influencers to international matchups
• How partnerships with destinations fuel growth and economic impact
• Why expanding into girls’ hockey is such an important milestone
• His vision for the future as they celebrate their 20th anniversary

Whether you’re a sports event organizer, a hockey fan, or just love stories of entrepreneurial passion, this episode has plenty of inspiration and insights.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Daniel Noake, Managing Partner at Hammerton Barca, to explore the evolution of major events across sports, entertainment, and culture. With experience spanning IMG, Live Nation, and consulting for governments and federations, Daniel offers insight into:

• The rise of Africa as a global hub for live events

• Why intellectual property is the future of sports & entertainment

• The importance of economic impact data in tourism

• Global event trends destinations should watch, from AI to innovative formats

Tune in to hear how Daniel is bridging international expertise with local opportunities, and why the future of global events is more connected than ever.

Sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach.

🎙️ In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup Podcast, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, we welcome our very first pickleball guests: Jeff Contreras and Daniel Quinones, co-founders of Pickleball Power Play. What started as two former college tennis players frustrated by a pricey tournament experience quickly evolved into a national pickleball tournament brand that’s rewriting the rules of the game.

Jeff and Daniel share how they built Pickleball Power Play from the ground up, why affordability and guaranteed play are at the heart of their model, and how community partnerships fuel their success. We also dive into their innovative formats, expansion plans, and vision for the future of amateur pickleball.

Whether you’re a pickleball player, a destination looking to host events, or just love hearing entrepreneurial stories, this episode is packed with lessons on growth, innovation, and community.

Glenn Merry, CEO of Move United, joins us to share how adaptive sport is transforming lives and communities nationwide. From wheelchair football to the Hartford Nationals, hear how Move United is growing access, preparing for LA 2028, and opening doors for athletes of all abilities.