INDUSTRY NOW Paul Prince, Prominent Figure of NSGA Team for Four Decades, Passes Away
Certor Sports Moves to Indiana, Names Heidenreich CEO
Paul Prince, who was a prominent
Certor Sports is moving its global
figure at the National Sporting
headquarters to Plainfield, Indiana
Goods Association (NSGA) and in
with Jim Heidenreich taking over
the sporting goods industry for four
as Chief Executive Officer. Certor said its move will immediately
decades, passed away after a battle
create more than 300 local jobs in suburban Indianapolis.
with cancer on December 14, 2021.
The new 230,000-square foot facility will be the home for some
Prince was one of the longest-
of the most iconic performance and sports brands in the country,
tenured staff members in NSGA
including Schutt and VICIS helmets. Other brands under the Certor
history at 39 years. He was involved
umbrella include ProGear, Tucci, Hollywood Bases and Adams USA.
with NSGA’s trade shows when he
Certor will also operate a state-of-the-art R&D facility in Seattle,
joined the association in November
featuring the latest testing equipment set forth by the NFL, Major
1970 and was Vice President of Business Development when he
League Baseball and other leagues to help design and innovate
retired on Sept. 30, 2010.
protective equipment and sporting goods.
“We are very saddened about Paul’s passing and express our
Heidenreich spent more than 30 years in executive leadership
heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and those he worked
positions with leading consumer, health and sporting goods brands,
closely with at NSGA and in the sporting goods industry,” said Matt
including Riddell Sports and Mongoose Bicycles. He will serve as the
Carlson, NSGA President & CEO. “Paul played an instrumental role
first CEO for the company, which was formed in 2020 by Innovatus
in the success of NSGA’s trade shows by developing relationships
Capital Partners, LLC.
in the industry that lasted throughout his career. He also played a key part in the transition of the association to continue serving its members and the industry as the days of large industry trade shows came to an end at the start of the 21st century.” A graduate of the University of Miami in Florida, Prince joined NSGA
Mueller Partners with Handy Gym Mueller Sports Medicine announced an exclusive partnership with Handy Gym™, which is billed as the smallest gym in the
as an executive assistant in 1970. He became NSGA’s Assistant
world. Handy Gym™ uses unique NASA-
Trade Show Manager and his first NSGA Convention and Show was
engineered flywheel technology to create
in 1971 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, which was rebuilt after a fire.
resistance without the use of heavy,
Prince was elevated to NSGA’s trade show manager in 1985 after
cumbersome weights. The lightweight design at two pounds makes
the death of his boss, Robert Youngblood. In 1992, Prince became
it portable and versatile for a variety of different needs.
Vice President of Trade Show Services. During his tenure, NSGA
Mueller Sports Medicine is a long-time supporter of the NSGA
hosted two trade shows on a regular basis for years, with the
Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit and has been
Chicago show among the 10 largest shows in the country and the
an NSGA member since 1966.
Fall Market in Anaheim, California among the top 25. He was also Prince was recognized as a Certified Exposition Manager (CEM)
New Balance Establishes Athlete Advisory Board
from the International Association of Expositions and Events
New Balance established the New Balance Athlete Advisory
(IAEE). He was an active member of the Major Association of Trade
Board that will be led by former professional baseball player
Show Managers (MATSO) and Friends of McCormick Place, which
and community activist Curtis Granderson and Olympic Bronze
worked with the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau and
Medal Winner and nine-time National Champion middle-distance
involved in a third regional show NSGA hosted in Chicago.
McCormick Place labor unions to enhance trade show experience
runner Emma Coburn as Co-Chairmen. Team New Balance
for exhibiting companies.
athletes supporting Granderson and Coburn as board members
When NSGA exited the trade show business in 1999, Prince moved
are professional baseball player Francisco Lindor, professional
into the business development role he held until his retirement in 2010.
runner Brenda Martinez, tennis star Milos Raonic and professional basketball player Darius Bazley. NSGA NOW ®
>> January/February 2022 | 23
