USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference

Welcome to the 2025 USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference!

Join us for a weekend of networking, learning, and fun at the USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference. Connect with fellow tennis enthusiasts, attend informative sessions, and discover the latest trends in the tennis industry. Celebreate the best in the section on Saturday at the Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Celebration.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the game, this event is perfect for anyone passionate about tennis. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to grow your skills and expand your network!

Info: Join USTA Missouri Valley CEO and Executive Director, Mary Buschmann, in a conversation with Perren Wong, USTA Director-at-Large. Wong will provide insights into what is on the horizon for the association. Wong is serving his first term as Director-at-Large on the USTA Board of Directors. He is an active grass-roots volunteer currently serving as USTA Delegates Committee Chair and a member of the USTA Budget Committee and USTA Ventures. In addition to his USTA service, Wong serves as a board member of the Junior Tennis Foundation and as a founding board member of the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association.

Info: Tennis anyone? The Conference Center will be turned into Red Ball Tennis courts and all attendees are invited to join in the fun! Red Ball Tennis drops the pressure and dials up the fun of the classic game we all love. Whether you’re new to the game, coming back after a break, or just looking to get active, Red Ball Tennis makes it easy to jump in. No formal courts, no strict rules, just high-energy play whenever and wherever you want.

Info: Celebrate your fun on court with dinner and great conversation with the best tennis enthusiasts in our five state area!

Info: If tennis starts with love, coaches are the beating heart. Craig Morris, CEO of USTA Coaching will share how you can be part of the community that puts tennis coaches and parents first.

Info: Volunteers are the key to successful grassroots tennis growth. Gain valuable insights into topics like volunteer recruitment, retention and succession planning. Learn about volunteer opportunities in your district and the section. We'll also discuss resources for funding and other services. Scott Hanover is the 2025 Eve Kraft Community Service Award recipient, the vice chair of the USTA Volunteer Management Council and executive director of the Stephanie Waterman Foundation-a USTA NJTL. Joining Scott is Andrea Norman, vice chair of the Volunteer Management Council along with Scott. Norman is the USTA Northern California board secretary, on the USTA Nominating Committee.

Info: Funding the infrastructure is key to growing the game of tennis. Ted Loerhke, USTA Managing Director, Section Partnership will lead a panel of local providers who received Tennis Venue Services (TVS) grants this year to help fund new and renovated courts, lights, scoreboards, and umpire chairs. Learn how you can take advantage of this opportunity also in 2026.

Info: Electronic Line Calling and Live Streaming technology is now being used in the section. Hear from Michael Hughes, USTA Senior Manager, Digital and Business Strategy about this exciting technology. Michael will be joined by David Minihan and Elliott McDermed who have installed PlayReplay, an electronic line-calling (ELC) system set to increase access to accurate, user-friendly ELC for junior, adult and recreational play nationwide. Live streaming video that helps bring home the match for those who can't be there and also serves as a valuable teaching tool is also being implemented locally.

Info: Open meeting. This volunteer committee is charged with promoting and providing recreational and competitive tournament and League play for players 18 and over and social play opportunities for adults of any age and ability level as well as support and grow the Tennis On Campus programs on college and university campuses across the section. Chair: Stephen Collins,
Vice Chair: Ky Nichols

Info: Open meeting. The charge of the committee is to promote greater diversity and inclusion in overall tennis player participation and USTA Missouri Valley services, activities, events and programs by supporting USTA Missouri Valley volunteers and staff in all organizational units and community partners. Chair: Nick Taylor, Vice Chair: Caitlyn Sagraves

Info: Open meeting. The committee is charged with implementing a competitive pathway for increased attraction and retention of local play opportunities. The Circuit Pathway will consist of Team Challenge, Team Tournaments, Junior Team Tennis and unranked tournaments, including Activity Tracker for 10U and will support the new unified sanctioned ranked tournament system being implemented.
Chair: Larry Newton, Vice Chair: Ben Gildehaus

Info: In this open session the seven district presidents will share a review of 2025, committee chairs highlight top achievements over the year, and the board of directors address the business of the association.

Info: Food, friends, and lots and lots of door prizes! Catch up with old friends and meet new friends at this conference-favorite night! You could walk away with a great US Open gift, section swag or gear.

Info: United States Tennis Association has answered the call to grow the number of tennis players in the US to 35 million players by 2035. But how are we going to get there? Ted Loehrke, Managing Director, Section Partnership, will lead the conversation on opportunities to help us grow the game to 35 x 35.

Info: Open meeting. The committee is charged with maintaining an effective program of recruitment, training, evaluation and retention to assure an adequate supply of USTA certified tennis officials to meet the officiating needs of the USTA Missouri Valley.
Chair: Verne Weber, Vice Chair: Dean Richardville

Info: District leadership, staff, players and anyone else interested in discussing how to grow the game locally will gather for open conversation. Learn how to get involved and help grow the game to 35x35.

Info: The Annual Conference concludes with a celebration of USTA Missouri Valley award winners and the induction of three individuals into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. The Class of 2025 are Sam Fotopoulos, Nathan Price, and David Steinmeyer. Join us as we honor players of all ages, tennis providers and organizers, coaches, officials and supporters from our five state area.

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