Heartland Soccer: Managing Growth and Tech Innovations
This week on the Facility Playbook Podcast, we talked to Shane Hackett, Executive Director of Heartland Soccer Association. They boast the title of largest soccer league and tournament host in the country, and they have the systems to back it. Heartland Soccer Association’s growth can be attributed to their commitment to investing in their community and continuing to stay up to date with the latest tech. In this blog, we break down some of their success stories of growth, how they handle training refs, tips for league management, and staying up to date on technological advancements in the industry. To hear insights from one of the top facilities Heartland built, check out our episode with Scheels Soccer Complex!
Creating a Company Culture That Empowers Employees
In this week’s blog, we pull back the curtain and see the foundation that built the remarkable success of Pro Athlete, named the #3 healthiest place to work in America. Explore how their unique workplace flexibility and personalized perk packages have elevated employee satisfaction and performance. Underneath the flashy workplace perks lies the significance of core values and how involving employees in their creation fosters a powerful company culture. See why embracing your employees’ diversity can enhance your work environment. No matter the industry, their approach offers valuable lessons for organizations looking to thrive in today’s ever-evolving workplace. Looking for more resources on building the core of your facility? Check out our blog on Strategies for Staff Recruitment, Training, and Retention.
How to Organize a Fundraising Event for a Nonprofit Organization
In today’s economy, nonprofits are fighting for limited resources while historically successful fundraising efforts no longer seem to be hitting the mark. In this week’s episode, we sat down with the experts in innovative events, KC Crew. Building on their experience from running some of Kansas City’s most unique and fun events for young professionals, they share their experience on how to capture the focus of the next generation of donors while maximizing event impact. Discover how to put on a fundraising event in a way that allows your team to represent your nonprofit rather than get stuck running the event. To learn more from KC Crew, check out their episode on running Adult Sports Leagues.
Investing in Your Team: Strategies for Staff Recruitment, Training, and Retention
Unlock the secrets to building a motivated team. The sports industry inherently comes with hurdles in building a core staff. Late nights, seasonal needs, and unique challenges with the dynamic of working with youth and parents. In this episode, we once again chat with Chuck Stollery, Membership Director of US Indoor to glean expert insights on hiring, retaining talent, and inspiring a winning culture. It’s possible not just to overcome these challenges but by investing in your staff, to create a team that builds your facility up. To hear his thoughts on streamlining operations, check out his first episode, Streamlining Operations: Best Practices for Facility Management
What Is Eatertainment?
Food, play, and fun wrapped up into one: that’s the goal of Eatertainment facilities everywhere. But while you may have heard about Eatertainment options near you, what does that include? What can you expect when you walk into one of these facilities? And, more importantly, why have they absolutely exploded in popularity in recent years? Let’s take a closer look.
Is Tennis Dead: Tips From a Top 50 USTA Facility
Explore the remarkable journey of Overland Park Racquet Club and how it became one of the top Tennis facilities in the Midwest. In this episode, we’re joined by Elliott McDermed, the brain behind this thriving sports facility as an employee-turned co-owner. Elliot shares some of the secrets to their success, from diverse membership options to embracing the rise of pickleball. This one is full of tips on how to run a tennis club from a top 50 USTA facility. For more on racquet sports, check out our episode about pickleball with Chicken N Pickle!
Double Tap KC: How to Open a Virtual Reality Bar
Discover the ultimate virtual reality (VR) experience at Double Tap KC in Kansas City. In this episode, we sit down with Terry Keith owner/operator of Double Tap KC as he delves into their immersive adventures, industry highlights, and the secrets to their success. Explore the future of entertainment with cutting-edge technology and real-world excitement. To hear more about some awesome local experience venues, check out our episode on Sinkers Lounge!
The Benefits of Automated Scheduling for Your Sports Facility
Managing a sports facility is not an easy job. Not only are you managing your staff and equipment, planning facility-wide events, and dealing with day-to-day chaos as it comes — but you’re also trying to make sure that customers get the most out of their time at your facility, and that means scheduling.
Strategic Planning and Design for Sports Facilities
We are joined by an industry veteran this week. Vance Rzepka from VSR Design has worked on everything from T-Ball and high school football facilities to MLB and NFL fields, he’s even worked with Mike Laplante from episode 9: “Scheels Sports Complex: A Soccer Haven in the Heartland.” Vance is full of knowledge on planning and saving money on facility builds and renovations, the best tech to implement in a complex, and keeping up with the evolving landscape of fan-focused facilities. Check out the full episode for tips to enhance your sports facility’s longevity, fan experience, and adaptability.
Selling an Experience: Growth Strategies for Facilities
In this episode, we are joined by Matt Baysinger from Swell Spark, the mother company of Blade and Timber, Sinkers Lounge, and Breakout escape rooms. Matt is very open about the challenges he has faced, the strategies he has used to grow, the failures he has experienced, and how he used that knowledge to continuously improve the customer experience. This one is full of valuable industry knowledge that you won’t want to miss. To hear from another awesome eatertainment venue, check out our episode on Chicken n Pickle!
