The Playeasy Warmup

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup Podcast, presented by Sports Richmond, VA, Kerri interviews Steve Andrus, the XTERRA America's Tour Manager. They discuss Steve's background, the mission & evolution of XTERRA as an outdoor lifestyle brand, & the importance of community engagement in hosting events. Steve shares insights on successful partnerships, the immersive experience of XTERRA events, & the organization's efforts to involve youth in sports. The conversation also touches on sustainability practices, the role of innovation & technology, & the lessons learned throughout Steve's journey with XTERRA.

View XTERRA's Playeasy Profile: https://www.playeasy.com/organizations/cda52de5-25e3-416a-8318-d45af997151a

In this episode, presented by Sports Richmond, VA, Kerri interviews Andrew Vorce, President of 5v5 Soccer, discussing the growth & impact of the organization on grassroots soccer participation. Vorce shares his journey in soccer, the evolution of the 5v5 Soccer organization, & the importance of partnerships within the local soccer community. He emphasizes the mission to make soccer accessible to all, the role of technology in scaling the organization, & the influence of the World Cup on youth engagement in the sport. The conversation highlights the significance of community involvement & the joy of fostering a love for soccer among young players. Key topics covered include:

View Sports Richmond, VA's Playeasy Profile: https://www.playeasy.com/destinations/c66b73d9-c670-4ab9-8a29-6d379662652e

View 5v5 Soccer's Playeasy Profile: https://www.playeasy.com/organizations/5631ee1f-1df5-40e6-9a67-cb5bf9088a76

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup Podcast, Kerri & Sean Flaherty kick off Season 2 by discussing the evolution of Playeasy's product, with a focus on their new AI solution, Playeasy Intelligence. They delve into their journey building solutions for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), the importance of data & how Playeasy's event microsites have transformed Destinations’ engagement with visitors & local businesses.

The conversation explores real-life examples of their technology's impact, the rapid evolution of AI, & its implications for the Destination Marketing Industry. Sean introduces Playeasy Intelligence, an AI-driven solution designed to enhance visitor experiences by providing real-time, curated information by the local experts - the DMOs themselves.

Key topics include the importance of human curation in tourism AI, integration with community partners, & a preview of the upcoming Playeasy Innovator Summit—highlighting the urgency for Destinations to leverage AI technology effectively.

What a season it’s been! As we wrap up the first season of The Playeasy Warmup Podcast, we’re reflecting on the journey filled with inspiring stories, expert insights, and innovative ideas shaping the future of sports tourism.From our fantastic lineup of guests to the thought-provoking discussions, each episode brought something unique to the table. Whether it was exploring the power of sports to unite communities or diving into the strategies driving game-changing events, Season One was packed with moments to remember.
In our Season One Recap episode, we’re highlighting the best takeaways from every episode — the moments that made us think, taught us about the industry, and inspired us. Take a listen to the recap episode below, and if you missed any, catch up on the full episodes to hear the stories directly from our guests.

In this conversation, Kerri Shields hosts Sarah Sed and Evan Walters, Commissioners of the World Axe Throwing League and the World Knife Throwing League. They discuss the origins of their leagues, the nature of competitions, the importance of community, and the role of social media in promoting their sports. They also touch on safety measures, youth engagement, and upcoming events like the Precision Sports Summit and World Championships. The conversation highlights the growth of these sports and the lessons learned in building a supportive community.

Check out World Axe Throwing League on Playeasy: https://playeasy.com/organizations/40ae52a1-91a1-4872-bf55-dd7e0b216d26

🎙In this conversation, Kerri & Arion Herbert discuss the inception & growth of MARS, a rapidly growing adult kickball organization. Arion shares his journey from starting a local recreational league to navigating the sports tourism landscape & building partnerships with various destinations. They delve into the competitive nature of adult kickball, the importance of community engagement, & the role of technology in enhancing the player experience. Arion emphasizes inclusivity & diversity within the sport, sharing initiatives aimed at creating a welcoming environment for all. The conversation wraps up with insights on lessons learned & future plans for MARS. Key topics covered include:

View MARS on Playeasy: https://www.playeasy.com/organizations/3cf332c2-64f1-4f57-a858-7d16f43d6b75

Follow MARS: @playmarsports

Follow TurfWars: @turfwarskickball

In this 'Tech Talk,' Kerri sits down with Jon Gorin, Co-Founder & CTO, and Sean Flaherty, Co-Founder & CEO at Playeasy to explore the development of Playeasy Intelligence.  Kerri and Sean begin by recapping Playeasy's journey and discuss the strategic decision to integrate AI into the platform. Next, Kerri and Jon discuss Jon's tech journey and the evolution of Playeasy Intelligence. They dive into the role of AI in enhancing user experiences, leveraging data for better recommendations, and the unique approach of Playeasy Intelligence compared to traditional website chat agents. The conversation highlights the importance of context in AI interactions and the impact of Destination Marketing Organizations in promoting their local communities.The conversation explores how Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) can harness AI to elevate visitor experiences, strengthen community partnerships, and empower local businesses. Jon and Kerri also highlight the importance of adapting to technological change and creating meaningful, personalized travel experiences. Tune in to hear what's to come on Playeasy with AI and how to connect with the team to learn more! Key topics include:

In this episode, Kerri, Patrick, and Hanna dive into the impactful work of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and its mission to support young golfers in their journey toward earning college scholarships. Patrick and Hanna share their unique paths to joining the AJGA, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the organization and the evolving landscape of junior golf. The conversation explores how the AJGA selects host cities for its events and the critical role community partnerships play in their success. The conversation highlights the organization’s commitment to fostering leadership and community engagement among its members through innovative programs and initiatives.

Key topics include:

View the AJGA's Profile on Playeasy.

Visit the AJGA's Website.

Contact Patrick: [email protected]

Contact Hanna: [email protected]

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup podcast, Kerri speaks with Joelle Nguyen, the Sports Marketing Manager at Spikeball. Joelle shares her journey from a player to a key figure in the organization. She discusses the evolution of Spikeball and the sport of Roundnet, highlighting its community-driven nature and grassroots growth. Joelle elaborates on the structure of Spikeball events, the importance of inclusivity, especially for women in the sport, and the organization's mission to foster connections through competition. She also touches on the future aspirations of Roundnet, including potential Olympic inclusion, and reflects on her personal experiences and lessons learned in her role.

In this episode of the Playeasy Warmup podcast, Kerri speaks with Anthony Terling and Travis Harrison from Auburn-Opelika Tourism about their unique journey into the tourism industry, the mission and values of their organization, and the significance of community engagement through sports. They discuss the branding of Auburn-Opelika as the 'Everything Cities', the impact of sports on local development, and the importance of partnerships in achieving their goals. The conversation highlights the evolution of the Opelika Sportsplex and the future prospects for community growth. In this conversation, Travis Harrison and Anthony Terling discuss the impact of community engagement in sports tourism, highlighting unique experiences and relationships formed through events. They emphasize the importance of collaboration in supporting event organizers and creating opportunities for various sports, including adaptive and youth sports. The discussion also touches on the growth of the Auburn and Opelika area and the excitement surrounding future developments in sports and community involvement.

Check out Auburn-Opelika Tourism's Playeasy profile here: https://www.playeasy.com/destinations/b7d1086c-67d1-4d37-abc5-a6e2dbb17886