June 2008 -- It's easy to see what USPTA has to offer at the annual World Conference. High-profile opportunities for fellowship, education and competition create an exciting week at a world-class resort. But the United States Professional Tennis Association provides a host of valuable benefits year-round. From divisional workshops and conventions to distance learning in your own home, becoming a well-rounded pro is more convenient than ever. The new online Certification Review Course is a prime example of how the world's largest tennis-teaching association is here to serve you, the member.
Your USPTA benefits include:
USPTA World Conference on Tennis - The USPTA World Conference on Tennis is the premier event for the tennis industry. With more than 35 general sessions, seminars and specialty courses offered, it is the country's largest educational tennis gathering with approximately 1,500 attendees, including tennis professionals, industry leaders and representatives, and media. It features nationally known speakers from the tennis industry covering topics such as career development, business, pro shop management, new sport science discoveries, and innovative tennis-teaching techniques. Specialty courses and certification opportunities are also scheduled. It's a great time to relax and meet fellow professionals. Registration information is made available each summer at uspta.com.
Tournaments - Some of the best players in the Association vie for cash, titles and bragging rights at the USPTA International Championships, which features competition in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in a variety of age groups. For those who prefer team competition, the divisions rally their troops for a serious - but friendly - display of the Association's player talent. USPTA also offers its members the chance to earn prize money and ranking points through its USPTA National Surface Championship series. The series gives USPTA members the flexibility and opportunity to compete on various surfaces from clay to grass to hard and indoor courts. The national tournaments are open to Professional-level members in good standing. Log in to the "members only" section of the USPTA Web site at uspta.com for more information and an application for the tournaments.
USPTA Tennis Buying Show - The USPTA Tennis Buying Show is the largest tennis-only trade show in the United States. The show features more than 80 booths from exhibiting companies displaying the newest in tennis-related merchandise. Exhibitors include marketers and wholesalers of hard and soft goods, video-analysis and pro shop software, teaching aids, court surfacing and lighting, awards, backboards, educational materials, nutrition bars and vitamins and more. The event also includes educational presentations on product technology and design, and a silent auction benefiting Lessons for Life™.
Distance learning - USPTA adds more than 20 new DVD titles every year from conference seminars and courses and its award-winning television show, "On Court with USPTA™" on the Tennis Channel. USPTA also offers free Web-based audio seminars from past World Conferences. These seminars are taken from lectures given by the tennis industry's best presenters and represent the largest library of online education available in the industry. They can be accessed by any home or business computer by visiting uspta.com and accessing the lessons online link in the members-only education section. Also, members can earn education credits at home by viewing multimedia offerings and reporting the activities to the World Headquarters. Specialty course DVDs, World Conference seminars and USPTA's other educational DVD titles are available for sale at www.usprotennisshop.com.
Online Certification Review Course - USPTA makes it more convenient to earn USPTA certification by providing the Certification Review Course online. Tennis-teaching professionals can now review all the critical material for the certification exam from the comfort of their own home or office via their computers. Not only that, but videos give applicants a taste of what to expect during the on-court part of the exam. The online review combines audio, visual and text formats, as well as short quizzes at the end of each section to optimize the learning and review experience. The 100-question written exam and grip exam are accessible once applicants have completed the on-court portion and the stroke-analysis exam. Applicants are tested against a time limit. For more information visit uspta.com or call 800-USPTA-4U.
Online exams - Members are now able to take the written and/or grip exam online. If you need either of these sections, please contact our membership department to register. By taking an exam online, we've cut the time required for on-site testing, which cuts members' costs for lodging, meals and time away from work to travel to test sites.
Regional testing centers - USPTA Regional Testing Centers provide potential members with assurance that a certification exam will take place whether there is one applicant or 20 applicants. These regional centers, or hubs, are designed to standardize the certification process and make the entire testing experience more consumer friendly. Regional testing centers offer the Certification Exam, including the Certification Review Course, written exam, grip exam, private lesson, group lesson, stroke analysis and stroke production tests. Select major metro areas with populations of at least 3 million people, strategically placed geographically around the United States, allow the USPTA regional testing centers to be available to the greatest number of potential applicants. For more information on the USPTA Regional Testing Centers, call the testing department at 800-877-8248 or 713-978-7782, or e-mail membership@uspta.org.
Speaking opportunities - USPTA members are the most sought-after presenters of continuing education. Through the division structure, members can get many opportunities to present and gain invaluable experience in public speaking. This experience is desired by many industry groups for their meetings and events.
"On Court with USPTA" - On Court with USPTA" is a 20-minute instructional show featuring USPTA-certified professionals as guest instructors. The USPTA became the first tennis-teaching organization ever to produce and air an educational television series on playing and teaching tennis on the Tennis Channel in 2003. Since then, more than 46 shows have been produced that provide instruction about technique, strategy and other facets of the game, such as fun and fitness. Check local listings for the Tennis Channel availability and visit www.uspta.com for show times for "On Court with USPTA." DVDs of the episodes are available for purchase online at www.usprotennisshop.com.
USPTA T-shirt program - Through a special arrangement with Havana Bob's, USPTA members can order shirts featuring the new USPTA logo printed on the front. The back of the shirt is blank so pros or facilities can opt to have it customized with their own logo. The shirt is also available with a smaller version of the USPTA logo on the left chest. The cost is $3.80 and a minimum quantity of 12 applies. The shirt is available in both youth and adult sizes. This wearable member benefit is a very cost-effective way to add value to your programs and events. For more information or to order, call 877-887-8811 or go to uspta.com, log into the members-only area, click on "Benefits" on the top tool bar, then click on "USPTA T-shirt program" for a form that can be printed and faxed to Havana Bob's.
Fromuth-Nike - The United States Professional Tennis Association began a long-term partnership with Fromuth Tennis that makes Fromuth the exclusive provider of Nike footwear and apparel to the USPTA. The agreement, which offers USPTA Professionals 30 percent off Nike retail products, was authorized by Nike and links the No. 1 brand in the world with the most influential group of teaching professionals in the world. The relationship allows USPTA teaching professionals the opportunity to access preferred pricing on the brand's footwear and apparel products. Fromuth has a reputation for knowledgeable customer service and guaranteed same-day shipping. To view and order Nike clothing, go to www.fromuth.com/uspta/loginuspta.asp, then use your last name and member number to enter the site. For more information, contact John Dettor, USPTA marketing director, at john.dettor@uspta.org.
