The Playeasy Warmup

Playeasy

Welcome to "The Playeasy Warmup," your go-to podcast for all things sports tourism! In each episode, we'll dive into how sports are shaping individuals, organizations, and communities while showcasing the cutting-edge ideas that are driving the future of this industry. Whether you’re a destination, event organizer, industry partner, or just a passionate sports fan, "The Playeasy Warmup" has the insights and news to keep you ahead of the game. Tune in and stay connected with the pulse of sports tourism.

  1. -2 ДН.

    How Tribu Is Growing Action Sports Across the U.S.

    Action sports might feel niche, but the momentum is global.In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, Kerri Shields sits down with Micah Desforges, Founder of Tribu, to break down how Jackalope has grown from a backyard event into one of the most recognized action sports festivals in the world. From early grassroots beginnings to international expansion, Micah shares what it takes to build events that go beyond competition – blending sport, culture, and community into experiences people remember. They also dive into how destinations fit into that growth, what makes action sports so compelling, and why the lead-up to LA28 is creating a major opportunity for cities to get involved. If you care about experiential events, destination strategy, or where the future of sports tourism is heading, this episode is for you. 00:00 – Intro to Tribu & Jackalope 02:44 – Playeasy Innovators Summit 03:46 – Micah’s Origin Story 05:45 – Backyard Event to First Festival 08:47 – Building Experiences That Feel Different 12:26 – What Tribu Actually Is 14:09 – The Growth of Jackalope 17:00 – Why Culture & Community Matter 21:17 – Expansion & RFP Strategy 25:56 – What Destinations Need to Understand 28:49 – How Events Are Built 31:28 – Virginia Beach Success Story 37:08 – Using Playeasy to Find Markets 39:02 – Why Events Stay Free 41:35 – What Experiential Marketing Looks Like 49:00 – Biggest Lesson Learned

    54 мин.

  2. 15 АПР.

    The Road to LA28: Growing Team Handball Across the U.S.

    As the countdown to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles begins, a new wave of momentum is building behind one of the world’s most electric sports: team handball. In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Michael King, CEO of USA Team Handball, to explore what it takes to grow a sport in the U.S. from the ground up. From his journey as a national team athlete to leading the organization at a pivotal moment, Michael shares how USA Team Handball is building infrastructure, creating opportunities, and capturing attention across the country. They dive into: Why team handball is gaining traction in the U.S.What makes the sport so fast-paced and captivatingHow destinations and host cities play a role in growthThe strategy behind athlete recruitment and developmentWhat success looks like on the road to LA28

    42 мин.

  3. 8 АПР.

    The Pickleball Boom: Building a Competitive Ecosystem from the Ground Up

    Pickleball is everywhere, but what does it actually take to build a structured, competitive ecosystem behind the scenes? In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, Kerri Shields sits down with Karen Parrish from US Senior Pickleball to break down the systems powering one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. From ratings and sanctioning to national championship pathways, Karen shares how tournaments are designed for success, and what separates a great event from an average one. They also dive into the role of destinations, the importance of community, and why pickleball continues to grow across generations.

    31 мин.

  4. 1 АПР.

    From BC to the WNBA: Leadership, Legacy & the Future of Women’s Basketball with Carolyn Swords

    In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with former Boston College standout and WNBA veteran Carolyn Swords for a conversation that goes far beyond basketball. Just in time for Women’s Final Four weekend, this episode dives into the momentum, visibility, and transformation happening across women’s basketball right now. From her journey to Boston College and nine-year WNBA career, to her work with the WNBPA and time on the product team at Nike, Carolyn shares how sport shaped her leadership, and why this moment for the game feels different. They dive into: The evolution of women’s basketball from college to the prosWhat makes this Final Four moment so powerfulHow brands, events, and destinations can show up in women’s sportsThe importance of player experience in building the gameIf you’re watching this weekend, this conversation will give you a whole new perspective on what’s happening on and off the court.

    1 ч. 3 мин.

  5. 17 МАР.

    The Power of Team Sport: Growing the Paradragon Movement

    Adaptive sports are transforming the way athletes of all abilities experience competition, community, and connection. In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Marynka Rojas Gorgen, Director of Operations for Paradragons USA, an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities in adaptive dragon boat racing. Marynka shares how the Paradragon movement is opening doors for athletes with physical, sensory, neurological, intellectual, and psychological disabilities to train and compete in one of the world’s most community-driven sports. From grassroots education and coaching development to international competition, Paradragons USA is helping grow the sport while ensuring accessibility remains at the center. The conversation explores how adaptive sports create powerful community connections, the logistics of hosting inclusive sporting events, and the impact that team-based competition can have on athletes’ confidence and quality of life.

    33 мин.

  6. 11 МАР.

    Our story: The Journey, Evolution and the Future of Playeasy

    In this special extended episode of The Playeasy Warmup, co-founders Kerri and Sean sit down for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about the company’s journey.From a spontaneous conversation on a Boston roof deck in 2017 to navigating the uncertainty of COVID-19, Sean and Kerri share the pivotal moments that shaped Playeasy’s evolution.The conversation explores how the company moved from a simple idea, helping people find sports facilities, into a platform connecting destinations, event organizers, venues, and visitors across the sports tourism and destination marketing ecosystems.They also introduce Destination Experience Co., the parent company behind Playeasy and Compass, and how new technologies like AI are shaping the next generation of destination engagement.This episode is a candid reflection on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of community in building something that lasts. Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Why We’re Sharing the Full Story 04:33 – The Origin of Playeasy 26:45 – Discovering Sports Tourism & Finding Product-Market Fit 34:30 – Surviving COVID and Reinventing the Platform 1:06:00 – The Catalyst Behind Our New Company Evolution 1:16:30 – Introducing Destination Experience Co. & Compass 1:20:00 – Looking Ahead to the 2026 Innovators Summit

    1 ч. 40 мин.

  7. 24 ФЕВР.

    Professionalizing Fitness: Inside the World Fitness Project

    The fitness competition landscape is changing, and World Fitness Project is leading the charge. In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, Kerri Shields sits down with Jason Ansley, Global Event Director for the World Fitness Project (WFP), to discuss how they’re reimagining what high-performance fitness events can look like on a global stage. From signing the top 40 athletes in the world to building a multi-stop international tour with live broadcast in multiple languages, WFP is professionalizing a space where athletes historically paid to compete. Jason shares: Why protecting and fairly paying athletes is mission critical What it takes to produce a fitness event like a TV show How digital reach and live streaming are reshaping destination partnerships Why youth engagement through Project 1 is essential for the future of the sport What host cities need to know if they want to partner With stops across the U.S., Europe, and now Mexico City, and ambitions to expand globally, World Fitness Project is creating something bigger than competition. It’s community. It’s culture. It’s the future of professional fitness.

    48 мин.

  8. 18 ФЕВР.

    Growing the Game: Data, Sponsorship & Community in Youth Soccer

    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.

    29 мин.
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Welcome to "The Playeasy Warmup," your go-to podcast for all things sports tourism! In each episode, we'll dive into how sports are shaping individuals, organizations, and communities while showcasing the cutting-edge ideas that are driving the future of this industry. Whether you’re a destination, event organizer, industry partner, or just a passionate sports fan, "The Playeasy Warmup" has the insights and news to keep you ahead of the game. Tune in and stay connected with the pulse of sports tourism.

Информация

  • Автор
    Playeasy
  • Годы выхода
    2024 - 2026
  • Выпуски
    61
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © Playeasy
  • Сайт подкаста
    The Playeasy Warmup