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Industry News Information to help you run your business Racquet & Paddle Show Set TEACHING PROFESSIONALS For Jan. 23-25 in Orlando USPTA Offers Equivalency Pathway for PTR Members The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference (RPSC) will be held Jan. 23-25 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The event also includes the TIA’s annual Tennis Owners & Manag- ers (TOM) Conference. Organized by the TIA and Reed Exhibitions, the RPSC will bring together racquet sports professionals, industry leaders, tennis providers, retailers and manufacturers. While co-located with the PGA Merchandise Show, the RPSC will be a stand-alone event. The conference will include a curated “One2One” buying summit and an exhibit pavilion of racquet, paddle and tennis vendors and organizations. It also will feature a hands-on product demo ex- perience and opening welcome party at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona. For more information, visit Racquet- he USPTA board of direc- USTA provisional accreditation, and in PaddleSportsShow.com or TheTOMCon- tors approved an equiva- September, USTA CEO Gordon Smith ference.com. lency pathway to USPTA announced a partnership with the membership for current USPTA. In addition, several USPTA Mizuno Picks Tennis Specialty and former certified PTR divisions have established agreements As U.S. Footwear Distributor Tmembers. The program, which will run with corresponding USTA sections. The through 2019, allows PTR certified ten- USPTA is working with the USTA to nis professionals an expedited process become officially accredited. that will consider their current and “It is critical to the growth of ten- former certified membership status. nis in America that we have the best “As the only USTA-accredited tennis- trained teaching professionals pos- teaching association, we felt it was sible,” adds USPTA CEO John Embree. important to offer a pathway for PTR “Our board, led by President Trost, has Global sporting goods company Mizuno members with the minimum road- been very forward-thinking in devel- has selected Tennis Specialty Inc. of Louis- blocks possible,” says USPTA President oping this program. Our relationship ville, Colo., as its U.S. distribution partner. Gary Trost. “There will be many new with the USTA is stronger than ever, so Tennis Specialty will be responsible for sales benefits for certified professionals from we thought it imperative to offer this and customer service with the introduction an accredited organization and we felt USPTA membership pathway to all of Mizuno performance tennis footwear all certified professionals should have qualified PTR professionals.” across the United States. the opportunity to take advantage of For more information on the PTR Tennis Specialty is led by President these benefits.” to USPTA pathway, visit uspta.com/ Wally Craig and V.P. Rich Wonnacott. Sales SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY MIZUNO SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY This past spring, USPTA received PTRtoUSPTA. reps for the company include Bob Strimmel, www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2019 TennisIndustry 7 IndustryNews Paul Shlien, Paula Smart, Todd Granius and Jim Wonnacott. Initial Mizuno tennis footwear releases include the Wave Exceed Tour 3 AC ($140 suggested retail) and Wave Impulse AC ($120) for both men and women, available Jan. 15. “Globally, tennis players are seeing fi rst- hand the performance benefi t of Mizuno footwear,” says Tomohiro Ota, chief mar- keting offi cer of Mizuno USA. “We want to extend access to tennis players in the U.S. and give them the option to choose Mizuno as their next tennis shoe, like many profes- sional players on tour currently do.” Visit MizunoUSA.com for more. NoSweat Offers Disposable EQUIPMENT Hat Liners Ashaway Introduces New Strings for Racquetball and Badminton shaway Racket Strings has introduced a new polyurethane (PU) based, multifilament nylon string for racquetball, along with a new badmin- ton string with a proprietary textured surface coating to enhance feel and control. AFor racquetball, Ashaway’s MultiKill 17 uses new polyurethane technology, designed to add toughness and durability for players who like to really cut and spin the ball. The new badminton string, ZyMax 68 TX, utilizes Ashaway's proprietary NoSweat has created disposable BETA polymer fibers and is constructed using the company's special ZyWeaVe performance liners for hats and visors string core technology. For more information, visit ashawayusa.com. that absorb sweat instantly while preventing odors, stains and even acne. NoSweat thin liners peel and stick to the session. The cost for the fi ve-hour work- Mike Barrell, Emma Doyle, Gigi Fernan- inside of headwear and feature Sweat- shop is $240, which includes pickleball dez, Frank Giampaolo, Ann Grossman, Lock technology engineered to absorb certifi cation testing, access to the specialty Dr. Ben Kibler, Dr. Mark Kovacs, Dr. Jim sweat. The liners also preserve hats and course, and a one-year membership with Loehr, Judy Murray, Craig O’Shannessy, keep the inside looking fresh. the IPTPA. Emilio Sanchez and Sarah Stone. NoSweat liners start at $4.99 for a “We condensed our workshop into a Topics will range from tennis pack of three and $37.99 for a pack of format that will allow USPTA members to business and sport science to teaching 25. Visit nosweatco.com. recognize the distinct differences of pickle- tactics and techniques. Networking with ball while becoming familiar with the IPTPA fellow attendees and speakers takes IPTPA To Host Pickleball methodology, which has become the world place throughout the Symposium. Certifi cation at USPTA Events standard in teaching pickleball,” says IPTPA Professional development special- The USPTA has entered into a three-year CEO Seymour Rifkind. ized education courses will also be partnership with the International Pick- conducted, and coaches will have the leball Teaching Professional Association PTR Tennis Symposium opportunity to be the players at the PTR- (IPTPA) to certify USPTA professionals in Set for Feb. 12-15 on HHI UTR Championships. There also will be pickleball. Starting in 2019, the IPTPA will The PTR will host its premier coach a Trade Show with a day of demo courts, host specialty courses in pickleball across education event, the PTR International and a pickleball court that will be set up USPTA division conferences, where pros Tennis Symposium, from Feb. 12 to 15 in the hotel lobby. (The Tennis Sympo- can earn Level I certifi cation in pickleball. on Hilton Head Island, S.C. sium will be followed by a pickleball The pickleball certifi cation course will More than 40 industry experts coach education event, the PPR Confer- include classroom sessions, on-court will conduct on-court and classroom ence, Feb. 15-16.) teaching sessions and an on-court playing presentations, including Leo Alonso, For more details, visit PTRTennis.org. ASHAWAY NO SWEAT; COURTESY 8 TennisIndustry January 2019 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews iGENIE TM GET A FREE DEMO! The Official Ball Machine of the USPTA NEED DRILLS? Go to: playmatetennis.com (800) 776-6770 Half Page Ad-Rev4.indd 1 11/13/17 8:22 PM www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2019 TennisIndustry 9 IndustryNews Lighting Company LSI Industries total sales organization and markets for all Tennis Racquet Performance Reorganizes, Creates New Roles LSI products and services. at Specialty Stores Lighting company LSI Industries Inc. The company also will seek a chief mar- January-September, 2018 vs. 2017 announced it will reorganize operations to keting officer, a new role for LSI that will Units 2018 453,160 better serve its customers and streamline also include leading new product develop- 2017 462,940 services. Among the moves, the company ment, and it will name a senior vice presi- % change vs. ’17 -2% is creating the position of chief commercial dent of product development and man- Dollars 2018 $73,923,000 officer, to be filled by Jeff Croskey, who will agement to oversee development of all 2017 $72,335,000 be responsible for leading the company’s lighting, graphic and technology products. % change vs. ’17 2% Price 2018 $163.13 2017 $156.25 % change vs. ’17 4% TENNIS APPAREL Top-Selling Racquets Lucky in Love Apparel at Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Sept. 2018 Teams with Mattek-Sands • Best Sellers 1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP) 2. Babolat Pure Aero (100) 2016 (MP) lobal tennis brand Lucky in Love has announced an exclusive 3. Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV Black 2017 (MP) collaboration with eight-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic 4. Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) CV (MP) gold medalist Bethanie Mattek-Sands for a series of limited-edition 5. Wilson Ultra 100 CV 2017 (MP) capsule collections. The first of the series debuts Jan.1. • “Hot New Racquets” G“We pride ourselves on taking a unique twist to traditional tennis wear, and we (introduced in the past 12 months) feel that Bethanie’s style perfectly resonates with our brand,” says Brad Singer, 1. Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2018 (MP) CEO and founder of Lucky in Love. This is the first time the fashion brand has 2. Babolat Pure Drive Team 2018 (MP) joined forces with a top tennis pro. 3. Head Graphene Touch Radical S (MP) “I love the vibrant and playful nature of Lucky in Love,” Mattek-Sands notes. 4. Head Graphene Touch Radical MP (MP) “The clothing aligns with my approach to not only fashion, but also my lifestyle, 5. Babolat Pure Drive 107 2018 (OS) so this collaboration felt natural.” The collaboration kicks off with the Australian Open Capsule Collection. The Top-Selling Tennis Shoes four-piece line introduces a high-waist skirt and features smoother fabrics and at Specialty Stores more comfortable fitting mesh inserts. The outfits include mesh crop tops and a By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Sept. 2018 “Love Down Under” limited-edition bomber jacket. Visit shopluckyinlove.com. 1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2. Nike Zoom Vapor X 2018 3.