Inside Weekend Hockey: Building a Five-Star Tournament Experience with James Zitmanis

17/09/2025 31 min

Listen "Inside Weekend Hockey: Building a Five-Star Tournament Experience with James Zitmanis"

Episode Synopsis

This week on The Playeasy Warmup Podcast, presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, we’re talking hockey. Kerri sits down with James, Director & Owner of Weekend Hockey Tournaments, to dive into nearly two decades of building one of North America’s premier hockey tournament organizations. From Ontario beginnings to 85+ tournaments annually across the U.S. and Canada, Weekend Hockey has become known for its five-star event experience, complete with influencer engagement, player development opportunities, and strong partnerships with host destinations. In this episode, James shares:The journey from leaving his career to launching Weekend Hockey (and the early challenges)What makes their tournaments stand out – from awards to influencers to international matchupsHow partnerships with destinations fuel growth and economic impactWhy expanding into girls’ hockey is such an important milestoneHis vision for the future as they celebrate their 20th anniversaryWhether you’re a sports event organizer, a hockey fan, or just love stories of entrepreneurial passion, this episode has plenty of inspiration and insights.

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