WORKING WITH MEDIA & SPONSORS TO TAKE YOUR TENNIS

EVENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

USPTA New England

Tennis Conference

Bill Riddle – PTR/ USPTA

• USPTA Elite Professional and Tester

• PTR Tennis Professional and Tester/ Clinician

• TIA Global Cardio Tennis Speakers Team

• Tournament Director and Co-Chair for Music City Tennis Invitational – 15 years

• Produced and directed tennis events in 12 different countries

• Worked with both radio and TV as a show host

• Produced and directed events outside the world of tennis for bowling, golf, cooking and the music industry

• Worked three years with IMG/ World Team Tennis

- Evaluate what your currently offering

- Think about what you want

- Evaluate what you need to make it happen

Questions:

- What is your most successful special event?

- What made it successful?

- What was your biggest bomb?- What made the event bomb?

- What can you really make happen or pull off ?

What makes it a special

event?

To Do:

1. Compare and evaluate your current events to what you want

2. Is this revenue producing or non

3. Discuss with your group and leave with a road map

DREAM BIG

• Best possible date1

• Best possible venue 2

• Best possible plan B3

Choices…

CREATING A BUZZ

- What will create a buzz ?- What will get people out ?- What makes my event

attractive to sponsors, spectators and players ?

- What makes my event special ?

Staffing

• Leadership (Co Chairs)

• Committee(s)

• Event Staff

• Volunteers

• Security

• Load in and Load out (set up)

Marketing & Media

• Photographer + 1

• Celeb Spokesperson

• Press Releases

• PR Firm

• Local TV

• Local Radio

• YOU are your best promoter

• Social network (FB, Twitter, Instagram, etc…)

Attracting & Securing ….

• Sponsors

– Target audience

– Demographics

– What is our value

• Celebrities– Connections

– TV and Radio

– Think outside the box of tennis

• VIP involvement– Mayor or Governor

– High profile coaches

On Site Needs…

• Transportation

– Players and volunteers

– Equipment

• Sponsors & VIP’s

– Private area

– Food and drink

– Security

• Hospitality

– Food and drinks

– Beer and wine

– On site vending

– Legal bartender

• Media

– Live remotes

– Media area

Event Extras…

• Demo Day

• Pro Am

• Kids Carnival area

• Food trucks

• Military and Fire Trucks

• Lead up events

Challenges …

• Weather

• Seasoned staff

• Volunteers

• No shows !!

• Players dropping out

• Media attention

EVENT WRAP UP

• Thank You to everyone• Committee Lunch within a

month• Sponsor goodie bag – hand

deliver• Participant evaluations on

site

TAKE AWAY…&

QUESTIONS …

BILL RIDDLE

615-243-6698TENNISUN@AOL.COM