The Playeasy Warmup

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, host Kerri Shields sits down with Jake Hughes, Playeasy’s Director of Strategic Growth & Engagement.

Jake shares his unique journey from uploading sports facilities as a college freshman during COVID to becoming a key leader driving growth and engagement at Playeasy today. He opens up about pivotal projects, lessons from his sports background, and the inspiration behind his popular “Jake from Playeasy” videos.

You’ll also hear Jake’s reflections on the first-ever Playeasy Innovators Summit, his vision for strengthening customer relationships, and where he sees the biggest opportunities for destinations and event organizers in the years ahead.

Stay tuned after the interview for bonus conversations Jake recorded live at the Summit!

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields takes you to Davis County, Utah, “Utah’s Amusement Capital”, to meet two women shaping the future of sports tourism: Jess Merrill, Tourism Director at Discover Davis, and Erin Miller, Destination Sales Manager. Discover how the brand-new Western Sports Park transformed from a horse arena built for the 2002 Olympics into a $70 million, state-of-the-art sports campus with six full-size soccer fields, 120,000 square feet of indoor space, and a vision to put Davis County on the national sports map.

We dive into:

• The history and transformation of the venue
• How sports tourism fuels the local economy
• Innovative branding and community buy-in strategies
• Big events coming in 2025 and beyond
• Why Davis County is the ultimate family-friendly sports destination

If you’re an event organizer or sports tourism pro, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, host Kerri Shields sits down with Rachel Dailey, Associate Director of Sports at Valley Forge Sports, to go behind the scenes of the inaugural Playeasy Innovators Summit. They dive into the planning process, the challenges and joys of hosting a first-time event, and how strong partnerships and community engagement made it a resounding success.

Rachel shares her passion for promoting Montgomery County, PA, as a vibrant sports tourism destination, and what makes it truly special, from the 9,000 hotel rooms to the King of Prussia Mall and Elmwood Park Zoo. The two reflect on the power of relationship-driven event planning, why thinking outside the box led to better attendee experiences, and the importance of proving impact at the local level.

Whether you're a destination looking to host a major event or just love hearing stories about innovation, collaboration, and execution – this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Ryan Grondin, founder of 98% Armwrestling – a fast-growing movement that's bringing the grit, intensity, and community of competitive armwrestling to cities nationwide.

What started as a passion project in Philly is now the biggest amateur tournament in the country, with events for kids, families, and athletes of all levels. Ryan shares how the idea took off, what goes into creating a national franchise, and how tools like Playeasy are helping armwrestling find new homes across the U.S.

If you're an event planner, destination rep, or just curious about one of America’s most electric underground sports, this one’s for you.

🎙️ Presented by Visit Myrtle Beach

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup Podcast, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, Kerri sits down with Sean Hardy, Chief Growth Officer of League One Volleyball (LOVB), to explore how the organization is reshaping the volleyball landscape in the U.S. From a national network of 75 youth clubs to a growing professional league, LOVB is building a full-circle ecosystem that empowers athletes at every level. Sean shares his journey from Triple Crown Sports to LOVB, why investing in long-term community partnerships is a game-changer, and how women's sports—especially volleyball—are experiencing unprecedented momentum. Whether you're in the sports industry or just a fan of the game, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to sustainably grow a sport and inspire the next generation of athletes.

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup Podcast, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, host Kerri chats with Nick Factoran, Executive Director of Operations at USA Dodgeball, about the surprising rise & evolution of dodgeball from a nostalgic schoolyard game to a structured, internationally competitive sport. Nick shares his personal journey into the sport, USA Dodgeball’s mission & structure, & the critical role that local recreation programs & destination partnerships play in its continued expansion.

They dive into how USA Dodgeball’s premier tour functions, what makes a venue ideal for hosting events, & how inclusivity & community engagement are helping to reshape perceptions of the sport. Nick also reveals what’s ahead—including the journey toward Olympic recognition, youth development efforts, & the highly anticipated Team USA practice squad announcement.

Whether you're a lifelong dodgeball fan or just discovering the sport’s modern resurgence, this episode offers a compelling look at its momentum, challenges, & exciting future.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup Podcast, host Kerri Shields and teammate Brenna Collins take listeners to York County, South Carolina – a community that’s rewriting the playbook on sports tourism. From cutting-edge facilities to seamless event experiences powered by Playeasy, hear how this dynamic destination is driving growth with creativity, collaboration, and community buy-in.

You’ll meet the key players behind the scenes: Andy Clinton (Visit York County), Brian Jones (Rock Hill PRT), and Jordan McCraw (Visit York County), who share the history of their sports tourism evolution, how they activate the entire town around events, and the digital tools transforming the visitor experience. Plus, get local insights on how Playeasy connects everyone, from players to restaurants.

This is a story of innovation, partnership, and Southern hospitality at its best.

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup Podcast, we sit down with Ruby George, Co-Founder of the United Grid League, to explore the creation and evolution of one of the fastest-paced, strategic, and exciting emerging sports – GRID. Ruby shares how this high-intensity, co-ed team sport stands apart, blending power, speed, and tactics in a way that captivates both athletes and fans.

We go behind the scenes into what it takes to scale a new sport from the ground up—from coordinating nationwide events and securing the perfect venues, to building lasting partnerships and cultivating a loyal community. Ruby also dives into the league’s massive digital following and how UGL leverages social media and short-form video to fuel fan engagement and grow a powerful brand in the digital age.

She opens up about the creative marketing strategies that drive the league’s momentum, the lessons she’s learned as an entrepreneur, and the exciting future of GRID.

Connect with United Grid League on Playeasy: https://www.playeasy.com/organizations/31e9b663-6a8b-41ab-9a79-fc47c526aefe

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup podcast, host Kerri talks with Anita Gabel, Site Search Chairperson for the American Jump Rope Federation, about the fast-paced world of competitive jump rope. Anita shares how the sport has evolved into a dynamic, high-energy competition that blends athleticism, creativity, and teamwork. Learn what goes into planning national events, how destinations can get involved, and why this sport is gaining momentum across the country. Whether you're new to the sport or a longtime fan, this episode will have you seeing jump rope in a whole new light.

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup Podcast, presented by Discover Davis, host Kerri Shields sits down with Kat and Jack, the visionary co-founders behind UpDog Challenge – a trailblazing organization that's reinventing disc sports for dogs and their humans. With a mission rooted in accessibility and community, UpDog has grown from a small local event to an international movement, blending agility and disc games in a way that welcomes beginners and champions alike. Hear how Kat and Jack built an inclusive, supportive community; what makes UpDog events unique; and how sports tourism is fueling their growth around the world. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at how their partnership with destinations like Decatur helps bring these joyful competitions to life. Whether you're a dog lover, event planner, or simply curious about the intersection of innovation and play, this episode is for you.