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The theme for 2025 was Market Research . I spent the year traveling to major events, analyzing facility models, and studying how fans engage with the fastest-growing sport on the planet. As we turn the page to 2026, my mission is shifting: I am moving from observation to activation. Here is a look at the main pillars driving my professional work this first quarter: 🎾 Pillar 1: Distribution & The "Three Stripes" (The District) Adidas returns stronger with the new AdiPower Pad

What a year for me with sports travel and experiences! My goal for 2025 was twofold: to capture amazing moments as my son finished high school, and to keep fueling a new passion, continuing my deep dive into pickleball. With that and in the theme of the many "best of..."  lists that come out at this time of year, here are my top five adventures that stood out for a variety of reasons. #5: MLP in Grand Rapids, Michigan 🚙 The Trip:  My road trip to experience a live Major Leag

I'm always on the lookout for coaching help and local clinics to up my game (and maybe one day boost my DUPR too). I’ve also started seeing pickleball clinics as more than just training sessions; they’re a clever way to spice up my travel plans. Just like hunting for music events (another passion of mine), adding some pickleball play makes my trips way more fun and memorable. With winter getaways on my mind currently, I've been doing some serious digging to curate a list of

From nations like Canada and India to countries across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, global participation in pickleball is rising fast, turning the once-niche U.S. sport into a worldwide phenomenon.

The Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships are a full-blown sports festival. As a volunteer, I get to see the operational flow firsthand. If you're making a trip to Brookhaven Country Club this week, thinking about attending future PPA Tour or MLP event or for those early planning to attend this event next year, here is my Spectator's Guide to navigating the venue and catching the best action.

Toronto 🇨🇦 ✈️ Chicago ✈️ Dallas 🇺🇸 My journey to the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships is set to begin. This trip isn't just about professional development; it’s a perfect example of modern sports tourism: blending volunteer access with the excitement of a new city and attending for the first time a new sporting festival. The event grounds at the Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas, Texas As I previously wrote, Why Volunteering Still Wins , these roles offer unpar

Students often ask me how to build a career in sports. While working for a professional sports team or aiming to become a sports agent like Jerry Maguire sounds amazing, it undoubtedly demands commitment and a willingness to start at the bottom. Looking back at my early experiences, I was incredibly lucky to collaborate on a school project with sports marketing idol  Brian Cooper . Brian is a major influence in the sports business industry, recognized as one of Canada's Top

Sports travel is booming in 2025, fuelled by a growing demand for immersive, active, and socially-conscious experiences. One of the standout trends is the rise of purpose-driven travel, with fans and athletes seeking trips that combine sport with sustainability, local culture, and wellness.

As another summer season comes to a close, I've had amazing music experiences over the last few months, both locally and while travelling for work-related sporting events. Here are some highlights from my summer, along with travel suggestions that might assist you in planning your next special event trip.

Today’s traveller might be just as likely to pack sneakers or a paddle as they are a swimsuit. From sunrise runs in Central Park to beachside pickleball matches in Tulum, lifestyle sports are changing not just how we move, but where we travel. It’s the rise of the cultural athlete: For this group, sport is more than exercise — it’s a way to connect, express identity, and often, spark the idea behind their next trip.

The summer is not over yet; however, my attention is shifting towards the fall season for further developing my pickleball business opportunities and capitalizing on the surge in sports travel experiences. Looking ahead to the coming months, listed below are early events I have on my radar.

Charles Barkley captured the stereotype perfectly: “The problem with pickleball is I don’t like playing with old people.” That one line sums up the perception challenge facing brands, agencies and the sport itself. If they want pickleball to grow beyond a fad and become a legitimate, competitive, multi-generational platform, they’ll need to do more than sell paddles. They’ll need to sell legitimacy.

Mission accomplished! My 'Rock & Pickle' Road Trip was an amazing time, starting with a fun visit to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Click to view a fun conversation featuring Anna Leigh and ESPN SportsCentre host, Christine Williamson. ESPN was shooting on location, showcasing the pickleball boom along with 50 States In 50 Days, celebrating the full spectrum of American sports.

Summer has arrived, ushering in warm temperatures and numerous chances for outdoor pickleball. This also ignited my urge for a new travel...

Finding the ideal place to play can be overwhelming. However, I recently visited a true hidden gem in Daytona Beach.

It feels like just yesterday that I was a new sports parent searching for easy-to-use tech tools to maximize my kids' sports seasons or testing out the best iPhone Apps to help manage everything from communicating with the coach, game scheduling, practice attendance, team snacks or coordinating carpools with my kids' teammates. Now, I find myself still handling many of these tasks (except for the practice snacks or car pooling), but with a focus on organizing my own picklebal

The growth of pickleball in the Greater Toronto Area (and across the country, for that matter) is unmistakable. The challenge now is...

As my son concludes his senior year in high school, I'm acutely aware that opportunities for Sports Trips with Dad are becoming scarcer.

The buzz whenever I get to the courts is always, "Have you tried out this new paddle yet?"