The AMET team attended RacquetX in Miami from March 22 to 24, seizing the opportunity to network with companies in the racquet sports industry and gain valuable insights into the sector. One of the most exciting aspects of the event was the Premier Padel League (PPL) tournament, held at the same venue. For some team members, this was their first experience watching professional Padel—and it did not disappoint. The week was a perfect mix of enjoying the sport, making connections, and deepening our understanding of the industry.
On the first day, AMET had one clear goal: to meet and connect with every business that had a booth at the venue. With a large exhibition space, this was no small task for our four-person team. Over the course of seven hours, we divided and conquered, ensuring we engaged with every exhibitor at RacquetX. One notable takeaway was the growing influence of Padel compared to last year’s event—a promising sign for the sport’s expansion. More companies are investing in Padel, as seen in the rise of startups focused on court manufacturing, turf, equipment, and merchandising. Witnessing this momentum energized our team, and we were eager to dive into industry discussions on Day 2.
The second day focused on gaining industry insights. From the CEO of Premier Padel to the president of US Squash, we heard a variety of perspectives. It was particularly inspiring to see industry leaders—despite being competitors—discussing ways to collaborate and grow their respective sports. Whether a tennis club was looking to introduce Padel courts or a Padel facility was considering adding pickleball courts to enhance membership, there was a shared vision of expanding the overall racquet sports community. A cooperative approach to increasing participation across all racquet sports seems to be a winning strategy.
On the final day, we attended pitch competitions and closing presentations before saying our goodbyes to the businesses we connected with throughout the event. One standout topic was the integration of AI into racquet sports. From coaching assistance to player booking tools and club management, AI is poised to play a significant role in the industry’s future. Companies like SportAI showcased impressive innovations in player development, utilizing video detection software to analyze performance. Other companies demonstrated AI’s potential in streamlining court bookings and facility operations. As the event wrapped up, we made our final rounds, expressing our appreciation to all the connections we had formed.
Three days immersed in racquet sports flew by, leaving us with valuable insights and meaningful relationships. A huge thank you to RacquetX for hosting such a beneficial event—not only for our team but for the industry as a whole. We’re excited to see these new ideas take shape and contribute to the continued growth of Padel. As pioneers in the sport, we look forward to returning year after year.
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