If you have friends or family in industries outside of youth sports, you probably hear them talking about the professional development events they attend each year. Whether it’s a company offsite, a conference, a panel, or even a course, there seems to be professional development opportunities all around, in every industry. Every industry except youth sports, that is. 

Youth sports leaders are balancing an ever-dynamic industry with a huge responsibility—creating great experiences for kids—and they’re given little support to do it right or get better each year. 

That’s why we created NextUp: the Youth Sports Management Conference. NextUp is one of the only gatherings of youth sports organizers, coaches, and more where they can learn about and discuss the most important topics in the industry today. It’s a once-a-year opportunity for the best in the industry to learn from one another, bestow their knowledge on others, and network. If you’re a leader in youth sports, it’s a can’t-miss event. 

Here are 6 reasons youth sports leaders should not miss NextUp this year.

Unique to Youth Sports

NextUp is the only conference where the nation’s top youth sports organizers, owners, and administrators all come together to discuss the future of play. It’s all about sharing ideas to boost your businesses and take youth sports to the next level. 

Impressive Speakers

You’ll hear from and connect with some of the best in the youth sports industry and beyond. These playmakers are here to share their secrets, so you can sprinkle that same success into your own game plan.

Stay tuned for the full speaker list! 

Game-changing Insights

You’ll leave NextUp feeling prepared for seasons to come. We’re diving into the biggest topics in youth sports—here are some of the featured themes and topics:

• How the Industry is Evolving: A discussion about the surge in private investments, the rise of academies, and the roles of sponsorship and branding in shaping young athletes’ success.
• The Business of Youth Enrichment: Explore the critical role enrichment plays in shaping our youth, with actionable takeaways for entrepreneurs, educators, and leaders dedicated to making a meaningful difference in young people’s lives.
• The Youth Sports Product: Join experts from the medical, sports, education, and hospitality industries who will share strategies for delivering a memorable youth sports experience with the highest impact possible.
• The Secrets of Scaling: Key strategies and practical insights for growing and scaling a successful youth sports business, from expanding operations to enhancing profitability and impact.
• Aligning All of Your Stakeholders: Discover how to successfully align parents, players, coaches, staff, and owner interests to build a thriving, multi-stakeholder business.
• Partnering with Parents: A deep-dive into parent relationships that will uncover what they truly want, with innovative approaches to engaging them effectively.
• Reimagining Space: Fields and Facilities: Creative approaches to reimagining fields and facilities, transforming spaces to maximize revenue and meet the evolving needs of your customers.

More importantly, you’ll learn how to take advantage of these trends to grow your organization and deliver better experiences to your players and parents.

Past Attendee Approved

People who come to NextUp love it, so much that they keep coming back. In fact, Leonard Stephens, Owner of Perfect Performance, says:

“I choose to come to NextUp every year to meet new connections and meet new people to potentially do business with as well as to see the trends and what’s happening or coming in the future of youth sports. To stay ahead of the curve as much as possible.”

“I’ve been to every Nextup that LeagueApps has had. I think they keep getting better and better,” says Elyze Graziano, Senior Director of Sports at the St. James.

“The fact there is a conference that all the youth sports aficionados can go to and have like-minded conversations and talk about the pros and the cons is fantastic,” says Daquan Hawkins, Program Director of the Yorkville Youth Athletic Association. I don’t think any other organization that has this sort of technological platform has a realistic platform where we can all be in one place.”

A trip to NYC!

If you have to travel for work, it helps a lot that it’s to the greatest city in the world! The conference is at an awesome venue with remarkable views in the center of Union Square—one of the most accessible parts of the city and a walk away from landmarks like Union Square Park, Washington Square Park, the West Village, and some of the best restaurants the city has to offer like:

• Tompkins Square Bagels
• Rezdora
• Minetta Tavern
• Gramercy Tavern
• Union Square Cafe
• Soothr
• Hillstone
• Upland
• And more! 

Have we convinced you yet? There’s more information about the event, including the agenda, at leagueapps.com/nextup/. You can also email nextup@leagueapps.com if you have any specific questions.

Hope to see you there!