It’s getting to be that time of year again! And by “that time of year,” I’m talking about the CEDIA Expo and our third inaugural Pickleball Meet-Up!
Kind of like a hybrid between tennis and ping pong, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America for the past four years running. Not only is it a fun way to get some exercise, but it is also one of the most social sports around, offering a great opportunity to mix, mingle, and meet new people. And what better way for a bunch of our industry colleagues to get together and hang out than on the pickleball courts!
Last year’s second CEDIA Pickleball Meet-Up brought together nearly 80 key figures in the industry from around the globe, including dealers, manufacturers, installers, public relations, media, and CEDIA employees, offering a valuable opportunity prior to the show opening for networking, fun, and some friendly competition. (You can read more about last year’s event here.)
This year, we are aiming for even greater participation, with a goal of 100 attendees.
We’ll be playing the Monday before Expo begins, August 31, from 2:00-6:00 PM (Denver/Mountain). This will give everyone time to get into town and then have time for meetings and dinner following play.
Like last year, we are playing at an indoor venue called 3rd Shot Pickleball in Wheatridge, about 20 minutes from the Denver Convention Center. To accommodate more players, we are renting out the whole place, which includes 13 courts, plus cornhole and ping pong, as well as a full bar, so we’ll have room for lots of players and spectators!
Besides being incredibly fun — and addictive! — it is easy for those coming from other racket/paddle sports like tennis, racquetball, and ping pong to jump in. And even if you don’t have an athletic bone in your body, pickleball is great for people of all ages, and simple for beginners to pick up, learn, and start playing right away.
As an added bonus, last year’s event raised enough money to donate over $4000 to help the CEDIA Foundation provide scholarships and grants to fund education, certification, and career development in the industry. We hope to donate even more this year!
“Last year’s CEDIA Pickleball Tournament was our best yet, with a record turnout and an impressive level of play,” says Alex Capecelatro, CEO of Josh.ai and chairman of the CEDIA Board. “It was especially fun to see so many people picking up a paddle for the very first time and getting into the spirit of the event. Beyond the competition, it was a wonderful reminder of how strong our community is when we come together, and I’m grateful to all of our sponsors for helping make it possible, all in support of the CEDIA Foundation and its mission.”
- What will be provided: Logo’d T-shirt, court time, balls, refreshments, camaraderie, and more!
- What you’ll need to provide: Appropriate attire and shoes, and the $35 entry fee. Paddles will be available at the venue if needed.
If you can play on Monday, August 31 from 2:00-6:00 PM, and you think you have what it takes to beat Andrea Rokicsak, founder and CEO of Gumbuni, Brian Smith of Hunter Douglas, or Soren Winther of L-Acoustics — last year’s winners of the Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner levels, respectively — then click this link to sign up and come meet us on the courts!
CEDIA 2026 PICKLEBALL MEET-UP Tickets, Monday, August 31 • 2 PM – 6 PM | Eventbrite
