2026 Club Symposium schedule
DAY 1: Leadership, Membership & Volunteer Sustainability
8:00 – 8:30 AM | Registration & Networking
Continental Breakfast provided
8:30 – 9:00 AM | Welcome & Symposium Overview
9:00 – 10:15 AM | Keynote – Ian Hill
From Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Thriving Clubs
Explore how clubs can move beyond burnout and build a strong foundation for long-term success. This keynote will examine the root causes of volunteer burnout, strategies to prevent it, and practical approaches to fostering a positive, resilient club culture. Attendees will also gain leadership insights to support sustainability, strengthen engagement, and help their organizations thrive.
10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Interactive Workshop – Ian Hill
Membership Growth & Retention
This interactive workshop will explore practical strategies to attract new members and keep them engaged over the long term. Participants will examine what drives member value, identify common retention challenges, and share ideas to strengthen the overall member experience. Through discussion and applied exercises, clubs will leave with actionable approaches to support sustainable membership growth and build stronger, more connected communities.
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking
1:00 – 2:30 PM | Interactive Workshop - Della Curry
Building the Player Pathway: From First Play to Competitive Growth
This session explores how clubs can effectively support players at every stage of their journey—from beginners stepping onto the court for the first time to advanced players seeking meaningful competition. Participants will discuss practical approaches to integrating new players, creating balanced and inclusive programming, and retaining experienced athletes through strong development opportunities. The conversation will also address common challenges around court access and availability, with a focus on sharing ideas and solutions that promote fairness, accessibility, and sustainable growth across all levels of play.
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Break
2:45 – 4:30 PM | Interactive Workshop – Ian Hill
Fueling Club Growth: Volunteers, Leadership & Messaging That Works.
This hands-on workshop will help clubs strengthen both their volunteer base and their communication strategy. Participants will explore practical ways to attract and retain volunteers, build leadership pipelines, and reduce the risk of executive burnout. Through guided activities, clubs will map their current volunteer structure, identify gaps, and assess areas of risk. The session will also cover key communication and marketing fundamentals, including social media basics, effective email communication, and strategies to better promote programs. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways to support consistent messaging and drive club growth.
4:30 – 4:45 PM | Day 1 Wrap-Up
Rig Hand Distillery Tour 5:30 – 6:30pm (Tour is included in the registration fee)
Unwind after a full day of sessions with a short, 6-minute trip to a unique local destination. This guided experience at Rig Hand Distillery offers delegates a behind-the- scenes look at a grain-to-glass craft distillery, including a tour of the production process followed by tastings of their locally made spirits and a signature cocktail. With its rustic, welcoming atmosphere and strong focus on locally sourced ingredients, this tour is a great opportunity to connect, network, and experience a true taste of Alberta. Rig Hand Distillery also has a restaurant, if members choose to stay for dinner it is at your own expense, reservations can be made as per the registration form.
DAY 2: Alignment, Systems & The Future of Pickleball in Alberta
8:00 – 8:30 AM | Continental Breakfast - Networking
8:30 – 9:15 AM | Opening Session
The Future of Pickleball in Alberta & Canada
Facilitators: Barry Petrachenko, CEO Pickleball Canada & Lisa Hardy, ED of Pickleball Alberta
Kick off day 2 with a forward-looking conversation on the growth and direction of pickleball across Alberta and Canada. This session will provide an overview of the roles, services, and support offered by Pickleball Alberta and Pickleball Canada, and how alignment between the provincial and national organizations strengthens the sport as a whole. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the pickleball ecosystem—where clubs, members, and organizations fit—and what the future holds for the sport. The session is designed to build confidence, reinforce credibility, and highlight the value of working together to support sustainable growth and shared success.
9:15 – 11:45 AM | Club Rating Systems Workshop – DUPR
Panel: Ken Dentzien, Barry Petrachenko & Charity Christianson
Creating Consistency Across Alberta
Through facilitated discussion, participants will share how they currently rate players, identify barriers to adopting a unified system, and highlight key concerns or gaps. The goal of this session is to better understand club needs and perspectives, and to explore what changes or adaptations would be required for a province-wide system—such as DUPR—to effectively support both recreational and competitive play.
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Governance Spotlight
Speaker: Lisa Hardy
Enjoy lunch while exploring the foundations of strong, sustainable clubs through effective governance. This session will provide a high-level overview of the importance of bylaws, policies, and good governance practices, and how they support long-term success. Participants will also be invited to share input on areas where they would like to learn more, helping to shape future e-café learning sessions that provide deeper, practical guidance on topics that matter most to clubs.
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Table Discussions
These interactive table discussions provide an opportunity for delegates to connect, share experiences, and explore practical solutions to common club challenges. Each table is facilitated by a subject matter lead and focused on a key topic, allowing for open dialogue, peer learning, and the exchange of ideas that clubs can take back and apply in their own communities.
Table Topics:
1. Supporting Club Growth Through Funding
2. Sharing your success
3. Programming
4. Insurance & Liability