Robyn Duda 

Robyn Duda is redefining what it means to innovate in the sports and events industry. As co-founder and CEO of RacquetX, she launched the first event platform to unite tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, table tennis, and racquetball under one immersive, culturally relevant roof. 

Designed as a hub for fans, athletes, brands, and media, RacquetX is pushing racquet sports into the future by creating fresh ways to connect with the game and with each other.

Before founding RacquetX, Duda established Robyn Duda Creative, a consultancy that partnered with global brands such as Coca-Cola, Spotify, Visa, and IBM. Her work combines psychology and design to craft strategies that foster connection and growth, whether for customers, employees, or entire communities.

Meetings Innovators spotlights the trailblazers defining the future of meetings and events. Each month, we feature visionary professionals breaking the mold with innovative strategies, fresh perspectives, and bold ideas. These pioneers are crafting experiences that resonate, inspire, and lead the way forward. Join us as we celebrate the creative minds taking the future into their own hands and shaping what’s next in the world of meetings and events.

Meetings Innovators is sponsored by Marriott Bonvoy.

What does innovation mean to you? 

It's not always about being flashy or big. Innovation can be found in the smallest places. It's understanding who you're building for and constantly pushing the envelope forward. 

Innovation is about giving people what they don't yet know they need. It's very easy to identify what people tell you, but it's figuring out the magic of what they don't know they need yet.

How important is innovation to the industry?

It's important to continuously think about the experiences we are creating and stay relevant with innovations to support them.

However, innovation needs to have a role with clear KPIs, implementation support, and an investment value. Often times, innovation become abandoned because there wasn’t a realistic strategy or team to execute.

I believe on focusing on one or two innovative ideas per year with an action plan behind them, the key to success.

How can events benefit from innovative approaches?

Again, it's serving your audience. There was a time when if you build it, they will come meant something. But you have to acutely understand the people who are buying your tickets and attending. Innovation could benefit your event and your bottom line if it resonates and drives more ticket sales. 

Are there areas that need the most innovation?

Name badges. I actually took them away last year, and I got nearly burned at the stake. Sponsors and exhibitors love them, but attendees don't appreciate them.

There has to be a better way. In 2025, we should have better technology than this. 

Name one recent innovation you are proud of.

We've adopted AI extensively and launched the first avatar-based chatbot on our website.

You can ask it anything as it's scraped all of our materials, webinars, the internet, everything. It's our first line of defense for delivering a great customer experience.

It's an avatar, and you actually can talk to it. We'll see what people are asking for, and that'll give me insights on how to build better.

Who has inspired you most on your journey as an innovator?

People in other industries, especially female entrepreneurs. I'm looking at people who are doing things differently in the outside world. I am very well-versed in interior design, architecture, the arts, and culture.

I learn from disruptors. People like:

• Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni's Ice Cream.
• The Mountain Gazette has revitalized the outdoor media landscape. It revamped its brand and tells the most incredible story.
• The Savannah Bananas. Jesse Cole is a genius. I attended a game in Savannah, and from an event perspective, I was in awe.
• Kith and its founder, Ronnie Fieg, build amazing experiences. Every time I see or read about him, I get an idea for an event. They just launched an amazing campaign tapping into Seinfeld with their New York Yankees collection campaign, starring Jason Alexander. 

How do you get buy-in for your innovations? 

What I did in the past was do it and ask for forgiveness later. Nothing would get done if you had to ask permission for everything.

Is failure an essential part of innovating?

You have to be very comfortable with it, but don't look at it as a failure. I look at it as constantly iterating.

What's your advice to aspiring innovators?

Know your gut and where to push and where not to. If your gut is telling you this innovation would be great for our event, it probably will be. So go with that. Don't doubt yourself because it's a new idea. Get comfortable trying new things. Some will work and some won't. I've been very transparent with our audience that we are building this for them, so let us know what is working and what isn't.

You're either on the ride with us or you're not. You can't complain about every little thing, because there will be things that don't work.

What would you most like to be known for?

For helping people build brands. That's the part of this that I love, and it's so important. Many large companies assume that they're purchasing an event, not the brand associated with it.