May 30, 2019 | Industry, Manufacturers, Retailers
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (May 30, 2019) —The Tennis Industry Association has retained an international trade, customs and export law firm to help tennis industry manufacturers with efforts to have proposed new tariff increases excluded on tennis equipment.
The latest escalation of the trade war with China has the potential to severely impact the tennis industry, following the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) May 13 release of a new list of additional tariffs of up to 25 percent on an import value of approximately $300 billion. The firm of Sandler, Travis & Rosenburg (ST&R) is assisting the TIA in challenging these new tariffs and will appear at a USTR public hearing in Washington, D.C., in mid-June.
The new “Proposed List 4” containing 3,805 full and partial subheadings covers essentially all products not already subject to Section 301 additional tariffs. The tariff hike could be implemented any time after June 24 in any amount up to 25 percent, on top of the regular rate of duty.
The TIA has set up the website tariffalert.org to provide information, advice from experts and additional resources on how to stay informed and action that can be taken, including how to get in touch with government officials and representatives. The TIA is sending a statement to Washington, D.C., on behalf of the tennis industry and working with ST&R attorney Lenny Feldman on the upcoming hearing on Capitol Hill.
For more information, visit tariffalert.org or contact the TIA at 843-686-3036 or ST&R representative Lenny Feldman at [email protected].
READ MORE AT https://www.tennisindustry.org/cms/index.cfm/news/tia-retains-law-firm-to-help-industry-navigate-tariff-threat/
May 28, 2019 | Court Contractors, Facilities, Health/Fitness, Industry, Manufacturers, Media
ORLANDO, FLA. (May 28, 2019) — The 2020 Racquet & Paddle Sports Show kicks off Jan. 21-24 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., featuring the latest in racquet sports products, demos, exhibits, education and much more.
A Demo & Innovation Day will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the USTA National Campus with an added session for consumers. The Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference begins Wednesday morning at the OCCC alongside the Racquet & Paddle Sports Show (RAPS), which is co-located with the PGA Merchandise Show. Exhibits, seminars and presentations are featured Jan. 22-24 with courts set up inside the convention center so attendees can try product and view demonstrations from top experts and pros.
The Tennis Industry Association is working with Reed Exhibitions, which puts on the PGA Merchandise Show, to also produce the Racquet & Paddle Sports Show (RAPS). For more information, visit
racquetpaddlesportsshow.com.
READ MORE AT https://www.tennisindustry.org/cms/index.cfm/news/save-the-date-2020-racquet-paddle-sports-show-jan-21-24/
May 28, 2019 | 10-Under Tennis, Court Contractors, Facilities, Health/Fitness, Industry, Manufacturers
NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 28, 2019) — The 12th Annual TIA Tennis Forum will be held on Monday, Aug. 26, on the Ballroom Level of the Grand Hyatt New York City from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
TIA Tennis Forum will present the latest news about the state of the tennis industry, including participation, marketplace trends, grassroots initiatives, updates from TIA, ITF and USTA leadership, and more. Also joining this year’s event will be Andrew LaFiosca of Nielsen Sports, who will share player and consumer insights, and Tom Cove, president and CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, with insights on the sports and fitness trends.
A new feature at this year’s forum is the “Discovery Challenge,” an online competition designed to showcase innovation and solutions around a problem facing the tennis industry—in this case the “retention of tennis players.”
The Challenge will be moderated by Carlos Salum, president of Salum International Resources. He will be joined by Lena Belogolova, a behavioral science expert and former Facebook manager. The Discovery Challenge is designed to be an interactive and solutions-producing session with a panel of experts.
Immediately following the Tennis Forum and Discovery Challenge, there will be a short induction ceremony to honor the 2019 inductees into the Tennis Industry Halll of Fame.
While the Tennis Forum, Discovery Challenge and Hall of Fame induction are free to attend for those in the industry, space is limited, so registration is required.
Click here for free registration to the Tennis Forum.
READ MORE AT https://www.tennisindustry.org/cms/index.cfm/news/12th-annual-tia-forum-set-for-aug-26-in-nyc/
May 28, 2019 | Industry, Manufacturers, Media, Participation, Press Releases, Pro Tennis
A dozen tennis stars offer advice on how recreational players can get the most out of their equipment in a series of public service announcements airing on Tennis Channel.
NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 27, 2019) — A new industry campaign designed to help consumers get the most out of their equipment has enlisted the help of some of the game’s biggest stars—including Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal. The tennis stars offer their advice on videos produced by and airing on Tennis Channel and social media channels, and in print ads in Tennis Magazine.
The “Up Your Game” campaign brings advice from a dozen top pros on their gear, new technology, the importance of new strings and other areas to help recreational players enjoy the game and play better. The tour pros interviewed were:
* Kevin Anderson (plays with Dunlop racquet)
* Marin Cilic (Head racquet)
* Roger Federer (Wilson racquet)
* Taylor Fritz (Head racquet)
* Angelique Kerber (Yonex racquet)
* Madison Keys (Wilson racquet)
* Christina McHale (Head racquet)
* Garbine Muguruza (Babolat racquet)
* Rafael Nadal (Babolat racquet)
* Denis Shapovalov (Yonex)
* Serena Williams (Wilson racquet)
* Caroline Wozniacki (Babolat racquet)
The Tennis Channel sat down with the tour players in March, during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. Not only did the top pros take the time to share advice and insights designed to help all players, but Tennis Channel also interviewed key equipment directors at each of the five brands: Babolat, Dunlop, Head, Wilson and Yonex.
“Getting the most out of your gear is vital to getting the most out of your game,” says Jeff Williams, president of the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and director of publishing with Tennis Channel/Tennis Magazine. The TIA worked with Tennis Channel and racquet manufacturers to help coordinate the messaging.
“The latest game-improvement tennis equipment and products are constantly evolving, and we look to better inform and encourage recreational players to get or seek advice,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “With our partners at the Tennis Channel, the tips and recommendations we’ve compiled from both top professional players and key racquet manufacturing executives will help all players to enjoy the game more and play better.”
The best advice for players, when searching for a new racquet and even new strings, is to demo the products, de Boer emphasizes. “Find a tennis facility or retailer near you and ask the experts to properly match the correct gear to your game.”
The tips for recreational tennis players compiled by the Tennis Channel and TIA include these general guidelines and recommendations:
- Recreational players should restring their racquets three to four times a year.
- Seek the advice of professional stringers or Master Racquet Technicians, since string tension affects control, power, spin and playability, all of which are lost over time with any type of string. Visit playtennis.com/gear to find a stringer/technician.
- Racquets and strings are very susceptible to the environment, particularly to heat and humidity. Do not leave racquets in your car or trunk.
- Materials used in racquet frames break down over time, resulting in loss of power and less control. The TIA recommends that recreational players upgrade their racquet every two to three years.
- Racquet technology continues to improve with every new model released, which can help players gain more control, spin, power and comfort.
- Players’ games change over time, so it’s important to ask the expert and match the correct equipment to help maximize your playing style.
To view all the videos from top tour players, searches and tips on the proper care of tennis gear and advice from leading manufacturers, visit playtennis.com/gear.
READ MORE AT https://www.tennisindustry.org/cms/index.cfm/news/top-tennis-stars-offer-advice-to-players-in-new-up-your-game-campaign/
May 16, 2019 | Industry, Manufacturers, Retailers
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association issued a statement Tuesday afternoon after President Trump announced a plan to impose up to 25 percent tariffs on an additional $300 billion worth of Chinese-made goods. This action will impact nearly all athletic footwear, apparel, and sports and fitness equipment imported into the U.S. from China.
“This is something we have feared,” said SFIA President & CEO, Tom Cove. “While there have been threats around these tariffs for many years, this action is the farthest-reaching and most damaging trade policy our industry and our customers have ever faced. We still hope the Chinese and American governments can come to an agreement before the tariffs go into effect, as these new tariffs will be potentially-destructive to many industry companies who cannot move manufacturing processes out of China in such a short period of time.”
SFIA said it will work with companies to navigate the process to exempt products from these new tariffs. Comments will be accepted up until June 10 and public hearings on the tariffs will be held on June 17, with tariffs potentially going into effect as early as June 24. SFIA will be sharing additional information on the exemption process as it becomes available. For information on SFIA’s exemption effort, please contact Chandler Hoffman, at [email protected].
READ MORE AT https://www.tennisindustry.org/cms/index.cfm/news/sfia-unprecedented-tariffs-threaten-sports-fitness-industry/
Mar 15, 2019 | Industry, Manufacturers, Pro Tennis, Retailers, Tournaments/Events
ATP and Dunlop announced a new, five-year partnership that will see Dunlop
become the Official Ball of the ATP Tour and the Nitto ATP Finals beginning in 2019.
READ MORE AT http://www.tennisindustry.org/cms/index.cfm/news/atp-dunlop-announce-global-partnership/
