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04.11.24

SUMMIT:GA

Thank you to all who joined us for Summit:GA!

Special thanks to Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events for hosting our Community Playmaker Summit!

Community Playmaker Summit: GA will take place on April 11th at Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events in Macon, Georgia. Summit: GA will supply regional leaders with tools and best practices for redeveloping blighted structures, such as shuttered malls, and converting them into world-class sports and event complexes that can delight residents and draw tourists.

Summit: GA offers attendees opportunities to build upon strong peer connections and learn from a wide array of subject matter experts. Our event will conclude with a tour of the brand-new Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events (the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility) and a special pickleball clinic for those who are interested.

Hosted at Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events

3661 Eisenhower Pkwy

Macon, GA 31206

Meet the Team

Ashley Whittaker

Ashley Whittaker
Editor In Chief

Emcee of Summit: GA

Host of Summit: GA

2015 09 04 01.11.46

John Roberts
General Manager, Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events

Summit: GA Guest Speakers

Mayor Lester M. Miller

Lester M. Miller is the second mayor of Macon-Bibb County's Consolidated Government.
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Jaime Arnold

Jaime Arnold is the executive director of the Eisenhower Business Improvement District.
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Stephen Adams

Stephen Adams is the Executive Director for the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority.
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Gary Wheat

Gary Wheat is the President / CEO at Visit Macon.
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Paul Midkriff

Paul is the founder of the Macon Pickleball Association and co-founder of the Southern Pickleball Association.
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Robert Walker

Robert Walker is Macon-Bibb County’s Director of Parks and Recreation.
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John Roberts

John Roberts is the General Manager at Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events.
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Alex Morrison

Alex Morrison is the Executive Director of the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority.
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Aaron Buzza

Aaron Buzza is the Senior VP & COO at Visit Macon
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Ashley Whittaker

Ashley is the editor-in-chief of Community Playmaker and a partner at the Sports Facilities Companies.
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Jim Arnold

Jim Arnold is the national director of business development at the Sports Facilities Companies.
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Agenda for Summit: GA

9:30 - 9:45 am
Arrival/ Check-In

Coffee, and continental breakfast items provided

9:45 - 10:00 am
Playmaker Introduction/Welcome
10:00 - 11:00 am
Panel Discussion- Economic Development & Sports Tourism in Our State

Listen as Lester Miller, Mayor of Macon, GA, Jaime Arnold, Executive Director of Eisenhower Business Improvement District, Stephen Adams, Executive Director at Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, and Gary Wheat, President / CEO at Visit Macon discuss economic development and how sports tourism is a proven economic development tool in Georgia and across the country. Hosted by Community Playmaker Editor in Chief, Ashley Whittaker.

11:00-11:15 am
Break
11:15 - 12:15 pm
Panel Discussion - The Pickleball Explosion in the US

Paul Midkriff, USA pickleball expert,  Robert Walker, Director of Recreation at Macon-Bibb County Government, and Andrea Lee, director of operation at Rhythm & Rally discuss the in-and-outs of the sport. The discussion will included development/re-development costs, meeting increasing community demand, and the answer to the question “will the pickleball bubble burst?” hosted by Rhythm & Rally General Manager, John Roberts.

12:15 - 1:00 pm
Lunch

Catering will be provided by a local restaurant 

1:00 - 2:00 pm
The Journey from Concept to Success for Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events

Learn how this beautiful facility went from great idea to grand opening.

This discussion will be led Jim Arnold, National Director of Business Development at Sports Facilities Companies and will feature Rhythm & Rally General Manager, John Roberts, Executive Director at Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority Alex Morrison, and Senior VP / COO at Visit Macon Aaron Buzza.

2:00- 2:30 pm
Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events Tour

Tour Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events with General Manager, John Roberts. Learn about the operational and design features that make this a successful pickleball destination.

2:30 - 3:15 pm
Pickleball 101 Clinic

Led by Rhythm & Rally staff, this clinic will give you the ins and outs of pickleball

3:15 - 4:00 pm
Networking and Farewell

Connect with Playmaker staff and other local government leaders before departing for the day.

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