International Association of Pickleball Facilities Meetup: The International Association of Pickleball Facilities (IAPF) hosted its first-ever regional meetup in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 28 and 29, 2025. The event brought together more than 60 people from across the West Coast, including facility owners, vendors, and industry leaders, to share ideas and learn from each other. The meetup was held at The Orchard, a pickleball facility owned by Ashley Leroux and Patrick Sullivan Jr.
What is the IAPF?
The International Association of Pickleball Facilities was started by David Johnson in October 2024. Johnson has worked in the pickleball business for nearly 20 years. He co-founded PickleballCentral.com in 2006 and also helped start PickleballTournaments.com. He later sold to Dundon Capital Partners, which owns the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball, and the Carolina Hurricanes.
In 2024, David Johnson also launched a monthly newsletter called The Business of Pickleball. The newsletter shares detailed business data about pickleball. That same year, he started the IAPF to help support and connect people working in pickleball facilities.
“My goal for the IAPF is to harness the community spirit inherent in pickleball to bring pickleball operators, employees, vendors, and other stakeholders together to collectively develop and uplift our industry and the game we all love into a successful, sustainable and supportive global ecosystem.” – (Johnson)
“Our mission with IAPF is to develop and bring together the best expert community, content, data, case studies, surveys, videos, podcasts, events and more to provide the tools and resources necessary for the success of pickleball facilities and the industry worldwide.” – (Johnson)
What Happened at the Scottsdale Meetup?
The two-day event featured tours, panels, and networking. The Orchard hosted the meetup and gave guests a full tour of its facility. Attendees also visited three other pickleball venues in the Phoenix area: Electric Pickle, The Picklr North Scottsdale, and Arizona Athletic Grounds.
Speakers included several top business leaders from the pickleball world:
- Will Richards, Founder and CEO of Dill Dinkers
- Tim Keightley, CEO of Center Court Pickleball Clubs
- Kevin Burk and Brett Warner, Founders of PURE Pickleball and Padel
- Cameron Linder from Pickleball Insurance Program
- David Johnson, who also spoke on multiple panels
Attendees traveled from several states, including Arizona, California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawai’i. One group that stood out was from Aloha Pickleball in Maui. Even though their facility has not been built yet, they sent four team members to learn and prepare.
Big Ideas and Shared Goals
Even though many pickleball facilities compete with each other, the meetup encouraged teamwork. A key theme of the event was that everyone benefits when the sport grows. The idea that “a rising tide floats all boats” was mentioned often.
Some useful ideas were shared:
- New members should meet with the Director of Pickleball soon after joining.
- Focus on the playing experience and know your audience.
- Balance business goals, like leases and costs, with player happiness and loyalty.
What’s Next for the IAPF?
This Scottsdale meetup was the first of many. The IAPF plans to host more regional events across the country:
- Boston on June 20, 2025
- Chicago on July 18, 2025
- Fort Lauderdale on August 22, 2025
The group is also planning its first big annual event. The IAPF Annual Conference and Trade Show will be held in Austin, Texas, on October 2–3, 2025. These events are meant to keep building a strong, united community in the pickleball sport.
News in Brief: International Association of Pickleball Facilities Meetup
The IAPF hosted its first regional meetup in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 28–29, 2025. Over 60 people attended to learn and share ideas for growing pickleball businesses. More meetups are planned this year in Boston, Chicago, and Fort Lauderdale, leading to a large conference in Austin this fall.
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