The huge pickleball festival called “Picklecon” is set to arrive in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2024, accompanied by an impressive fleet of 100 pickleball courts.
An Unprecedented Experience
Organized in collaboration with Visit KC, Triple Crown Sports is spearheading this inaugural pickleball celebration, which will cater to players of all proficiency levels – from novices to seasoned tournament contenders.
Scheduled to take place from August 8 to 11, 2024, at the Kansas City Convention Center, Picklecon is expected to offer an extensive array of attractions.
Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of Visit KC and the Kansas City Sports Commission, remarked, “Kansas City has a fervent pickleball community. We’re honored to partner with a trusted ally for this exceptional event as we gear up to welcome enthusiasts from across the nation.”
Triple Crown Sports Takes the Lead
Triple Crown Sports, headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, has a rich history of organizing youth, high school, and collegiate events in a diverse range of sports since 1982. With over 200 events, camps, and clinics hosted nationwide, the organization has hosted the volleyball preseason national invitation tournament at the Kansas City Convention Center since 2018.
Unveiling Unprecedented Features
Picklecon is poised to house over 60 vendors and will feature a staggering 100-plus pickleball courts.
Alyssa Morrison, Director of Picklecon and Executive Analyst at Triple Crown Sports, detailed the event’s offerings, stating, “The event will encompass local tournaments, camps, clinics, open play, professional interactions, panel discussions, educational breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and a variety of community-oriented activities. There’s truly something for everyone.”
From Research to Reality
The journey to bring Picklecon to life began in 2018 with an internal investigation into the sport of pickleball. Triple Crown Sports collaborated with prominent pickleball brands, professional athletes, and casual players to comprehend the sport’s nuances and identify gaps in current offerings.
Morrison outlined the ongoing collaboration with industry experts and enthusiasts to craft a distinctive and memorable experience.
📢 Exciting news: Get ready for the biggest Pickleball event of 2024, #PickleCon! Stay tuned for updates on this epic #TCSports event with dates and location being announcing in August.
— Triple Crown Sports (@triplecrownspts) July 12, 2023
DETAILS: https://t.co/DgZLjMeDaN pic.twitter.com/2L9FFeYPLs
Powering Economic Impact
Picklecon is estimated to make a substantial economic impact, contributing an additional $3.9 million to the Kansas City economy. The previous February witnessed the volleyball preseason national invitation tournament drawing over 20,000 attendees and generating an estimated $13.1 million in economic benefits for Kansas City.
Inclusive and Energizing
The City of Kansas City, driven by inclusivity, aims to create an environment where all community members feel welcome. Kimiko Gilmore, Deputy City Manager for the City of Kansas City and Executive Director for convention entertainment facilities, underlined Picklecon’s inclusivity, stating that everyone can participate, compete, and have a good time at their desired level.
Chicken N Pickle: Spreading The Pickleball Parable
Chicken N Pickle, honored as the Small Business of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in 2022, has observed pickleball’s rapid rise since opening their North Kansas City location in 2016.
President of Chicken N Pickle, Kelli Alldredge, emphasized, “At Chicken N Pickle, we’ve discovered that the human connection truly elevates pickleball. People put aside their phones, engage, laugh, and interact.
The power of pickleball lies in this dynamic interaction. It’s truly heartening to witness people of all generations playing this sport on a regular basis.”
Chicken N Pickle is further expanding its reach, recently unveiling its eighth location in Glendale, Arizona, on August 8. With plans to achieve 15 sites by February 2025, pickleball fever is undoubtedly spreading far and wide.
