The inaugural Playeasy Innovators Summit took place July 22–23, 2025 in Valley Forge, PA — and it was nothing short of inspiring. Sports tourism leaders, event organizers, and destination partners from across the country gathered for two days of collaboration, learning, and connection.

The Summit’s mission was simple but powerful: to create a space where the sports tourism industry could come together to share ideas, spark innovation, and build stronger communities.

Here’s a look back at everything that happened.

🌟 Day 1: Innovation & Impact

The Summit opened at Hotel West & Main with a buffet breakfast before diving into a packed day of presentations and panels.

Morning Highlights

  • Kerri Shields, Co-Founder of Playeasy, kicked off the Summit by setting the tone and welcoming attendees.
  • Mike Bowman, President & CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, greeted the group to his destination.
  • Sean Flaherty, CEO of Playeasy, walked through the company’s journey, where the industry is headed, and the theme of the day: proving your value beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • Industry legends Rick Hatcher (Treasure Coast Sports Tourism) and Ray Palmer (Pensacola Sports) led a powerful panel on the importance of proving value after navigating the threat of defunding in Florida.
  • Jon Gorin, CTO of Playeasy, unveiled exciting product updates and the 2025 roadmap.

Afternoon Takeaways
Breakout sessions gave attendees a chance to dig deeper:

Evening Fun
The group headed to King of Prussia Mall for dinner, shopping, and a chance to unwind before closing the night with after-hours networking at Southern Cross Kitchen.

🚀 Day 2: Event Organizers & Lead Generation

The second day focused on connecting destinations directly with event organizers and sharpening sales strategies.

Morning Kickoff

  • Ryan Quigley, Co-Founder of Playeasy, opened with a look at Playeasy’s lead generation tools and future updates.

Event Organizer Showcase
Ten organizers took the stage to present their events, share what they look for in host destinations, and highlight upcoming bids. Presenters included AJGA, United Grid League, World Street Workout/Calisthenics, USA Roundnet, French Creek Racing, American Broomball Association, Center Court Events, PGC Basketball, EPYSA, and Firecracker Sports.

Sales Best Practices Panel
Destination leaders from Explore Utah Valley, Visit Rochester, DistiNCtly Fayetteville, and Twin Cities Gateway shared creative strategies for winning events and building strong community support.

The Purpose Project
One of the most meaningful moments of the Summit was the announcement of the Playeasy Purpose Project donation recipients, nominated by destination partners:

Evening Sendoff
To close out the Summit, attendees gathered at Xfinity Live! before heading to Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies vs. Red Sox game — the perfect way to celebrate a successful week together.

💙 Purpose in Action

Beyond the panels, networking, and product unveilings, the Summit was a celebration of the people who make this industry special. From first-time connections to long-time partners, the event showed just how collaborative and tight-knit the sports tourism community is.

The Playeasy Innovators Summit was built to spark conversations that go beyond logistics — to focus on strategy, collaboration, and purpose. And judging by the energy in Valley Forge, this is just the beginning.

We can’t wait to continue the conversation and build on the momentum from an unforgettable first year. Thank you for joining us!