TUCSON, AZ - The Southwest International Produce Expo (SWIPE) 2027 is fast approaching, and attendees are being asked to make the hard but fun choice between giving it their all in the 57th Annual Desert Golf Classic or dinking their way to glory at the Lucha Libre Pickleball Paddle Battle. The easy choice for the industry is to attend SWIPE. The hard choice is whether to pack clubs or paddles for January in Tucson.
The Southwest’s biggest show takes place January 13-15, 2027, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson, AZ. On Wednesday, January 13, participants will be a golfer, a pickleballer, or a cheerleader as attendees network, chip, dink, slice, and putt their way to greatness.
The SWIPE Desert Golf Classic promises a day of blue skies, warm weather, and green grass, populated with industry peers and produce VIP’s. Matt Mandel of SunFed and SWIPE Golf Committee Co-Chairman says, “Let’s be honest, more than half the country will be cold, grey, and probably a little snowy. Arizona will most likely be warm, sunny, and ideal conditions for golf.”
On the other side of the resort, SWIPE’s second annual pickleball tournament, themed the Lucha Libre Pickleball Paddle Battle, will give attendees lots of time to network, meet new people, and practice their paddle skills.
Mark Cassius of Marengo Farms and chair of the Pickleball Paddle Battle says in the recent release, “We are breaking in the JW Marriott’s new courts this year, and to make it a little more fun, we are bringing in two world-renowned luchadors, Dios del Infranundo and Zagan. It is not every day you get to meet luchadors, much less play pickleball against them. We think this will be an event to remember, for sure.”
Not only will attendees play each other, but the luchadors will also play random teams throughout the day. The luchadors will also face off against the highest-scoring duo for the championship. All will enter. Only two will be crowned champions.
SWIPE is challenging the ballers this year. Will people choose pickleball or golf?
Kyle McGrath of EarthBlend and the returning Golf Co-Chair says, “Both sound fun, but I’ll be golfing.”
Both promise excitement, fast play, and plenty of networking with the who’s who of the produce industry. The groups will come together later that afternoon for an awards and networking afterparty. Pickleball and golf champions will share tales of their hard-fought victories as others swap stories from the day and celebrate the start of SWIPE 2027.
Guillermo Martinez of Frello Fresh and the FPAA Vice Chairman adds, “You’ll find me on the pickleball courts, ready to play and ready to win!”
With no better way to start the year, people are reminded to register to attend because both events will sell out. The SWIPE planning committee is excited to welcome the industry back to Tucson in January 2027.
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