June 2008 -- During my 38 years as a USPTA member, I've witnessed tremendous growth of our professional trade association, spurred by enhanced member services and the extensive use of technology. I've been lucky to see how these changes help individual members, build a positive image for professionals and, in some cases, influence the very future of our industry. And, for part of this time, I have also been privileged to witness these events firsthand, as our organization's CEO since 1982.
When I moved to Sarasota, Fla., to take on the full-time job of chief administrator for USPTA, The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort was our headquarters, and the staff consisted of four other employees, plus me. We worked out of a small 1,000-square-foot office space that seemed more than sufficient at the time.
Member benefits were limited to a bimonthly
ADDvantage magazine, a membership directory and an annual convention. Membership records were minimal, and for years had been organized by the president who also doubled as USPTA's "executive secretary."
1982 was a very busy and productive year.
We started with an annual budget of $400,000 and we had about 2,800 members, each listed on a 3- by 5-inch index card and stored in one of four cardboard boxes.
One of the first things we did was build a computer system for the Association - a full year ahead of IBM's introduction of the first microcomputer. Computers and state-of-the-art software (although just a shadow of the system that runs today's organization) allowed us to improve member services, track certification, handle financial tasks and increase our marketing and communications efforts.
USPTA helped to influence the future of racquet design and use when in 1982 it endorsed racquets by Prince, which at the time was introducing the first-ever oversized model. While many people had been skeptical of the oversized trend, soon every manufacturer was following Prince's lead. I'm confident that USPTA and its members' endorsement was largely responsible for the success of the oversized racquet since before the Prince Classic was endorsed by USPTA, oversized racquets were not much more than a joke to most players.
That same year, we negotiated USPTA's largest international expansion to date when we signed a contract with the Japan Professional Tennis Association. This partnership continues to grow 26 years later.
Also in 1982, the staff and I organized the national convention (now the World Conference). Chicago was the destination and a whopping 181 people attended. Nowadays, the World Conference rarely attracts fewer than 1,200 people and the largest event ever was in Boca Raton, Fla., with an attendance of 1,938.
It's hard to believe that 26 years have passed since then. We've made a lot of history, and it's been great fun to accept and fulfill many challenges on behalf of tennis-teaching professionals.
Today's USPTA is very different. We operate on a $7 million budget and serve almost 15,000 domestic and international members. Most of our income is derived from endorsements and member events and services. Our 30 employees run one of the most efficient and professional trade associations in the world.
Departments include membership and certification, education, computer services, accounting, pro shop, multimedia and TV production, public relations, marketing, publications, sports marketing, information technology, communications and building management. Most recently, we introduced yet another department and service with the world's most extensive online learning management system for professional tennis coaches.
We own our own office building with two tennis courts for testing and research. We use 20,000 square feet of office space and lease out the other 57,000 square feet to tenants. The income we receive from the excess rental space brings in more than three times the money required to pay for USPTA's office space.
The four cardboard boxes that housed our membership records are now part of our archives. They've been replaced with the most modern integrated association database management system available. It allows us to automate many of your benefits and provide fast and secure services.
Thanks to some great boards of directors, executive committees and staff members, we've enjoyed great growth in both budget and membership numbers. We've also made possible the purchase of a home for USPTA, the industry's most extensive continuing education program (and now online resources), our entry into TV production ("On Court with USPTA™"), the development of Little Tennis in 1994 and our successful endorsement program. We're most proud of the fact that USPTA has for many years been the tennis industry's primary delivery force for all tennis programs.
While we've accomplished much, I know none of it would be possible without member support. Thank you for allowing us the privilege to work for you. I'm personally very excited to be able to continue to grow with the most technologically fit and professional company in tennis.
