Fitness professionals from around the country will again converge upon Chicago for another exciting event that is packed with energy and education. Club Industry’s 2007 event, “The Gathering Place for the Commercial Fitness Industry,” will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL on October 10-13, 2007.
This prestigious conference program draws a diverse crowd of over 1,200 fitness professionals from both for-profit and non-profit facilities, including: corporate fitness, medical fitness, country clubs, swim clubs, hotel and resorts, spas, weight loss centers, colleges and universities, parks and recreation, aerobics and dance studios, martial arts studios, government and military, and many more. On the show floor, thousands more will be checking out the latest products and innovative solutions for business. With the many options awaiting attendees at the show in Chicago, everyone is sure to find their own great experience.
Wednesday, the event kicks off with seminars reflecting the changes necessary to stay afloat in today’s fitness industry and features over 100 conference sessions targeting club owners, fitness management executives and personal trainers. Plus, the conference includes several new tracks this year, such as: The Corporate Fitness Show; Programming for Non-Profits; a Small Business Forum, and SCW Group Fitness Session. CEUs are available from 13 leading industry organizations. A detailed conference program can be found at www.clubindustryshow.com.
Thursday begins with the first of two Keynote Addresses and the Lifetime Achievement Award! Keynote presenter, Laila Ali, World Boxing Champion, will present, “A Motivational Plan to Living a Healthy Lifestyle.” Laila Ali will discuss what it takes to inspire others with ways to get exercise, enjoy good food and improve wellbeing by living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. And, in collaboration with Fitness Business Pro magazine, the Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation will follow. Alan G. Swartz, Chairman of the Board at TCA Holdings, will accept his hard-earned recognition for all of the great contributions he has made to the fitness industry.
The buzz on the trade show floor also begins on Thursday and continues Friday and Saturday. Top suppliers will be showcasing the latest in: cardiovascular and strength-training equipment; free weights and plate-loaded gear; nutritional products and programs; software technology; lockers and locker room amenities; fitness assessment equipment; flooring, and a plethora of other products and services. More than 225 companies will display their products and services, packing more than 90,000 square feet of show floor.
Friday, opening the show is the second Keynote Address by Dr. Mike Nichols, CEO & Founder of the TempusClinic. Hear Dr. Nichols as he describes his goal to turn the health and fitness industry into the backbone of medicine. He will enlighten the audience on how a medically informed fitness professional can be the most important healthcare provider that most patients will ever have.
In addition, there’s a special, free, education seminar and Best of the Best Awards Presentation, where attendees can learn how to improve their programming in a 90-minute, educational awards program. Industry professionals will get insight into why the winners of the contest won in each of these categories: Best New Member Integration Program, Best Community/Non-member Program, Best Children’s Program, Best Senior Program, and Best Behavior Modification Program. The awards presentation is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 12, 2:00-3:30pm.
Of course, no Club Industry event would be complete without great special events. The Welcome Reception is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 10, 5:30- 7:00pm, where cocktails and food will be served. The hottest kickboxing class around, “Early Morning Turbo Kickâ„¢,” will take place on Thursday, Oct. 11, 7-7:45 a.m. at the Palmer House Hilton. Early morning workouts are also set for Friday and Saturday, when the exhibit floor is transformed into a state-of-the art gym for anyone who wants to start their day off with an energizing workout.
Another notable event, “Boot Camp Challenge,” is a full-day seminar to help you acquire the tools and license to launch boot camps at your club. And, the Official Club Industry Bookstore, will showcase books on fitness, nutrition and business – some written by our very own presenters. Select authors will be available to sign copies of their books, too.
Be it the seminars, the show floor, early morning workouts, or featured presenters and keynotes, this year’s conference offers a unique experience for everyone.
“We want attendees to come away with a positive experience. Whether that’s on the trade show floor; finding services they can use on a daily basis, or networking with other club operators, I think it’s an individual outcome for each participant,” says Zari Stahl, Group Show Director.
Explore, expand, examine…Experience Club Industry. Come join fitness professionals from around the country at “The Gathering Place for the Commercial Fitness Industry” Conference, October 10-13, 2007 – with Exhibits, October 11-13. For more details, visit www.clubindustryshow.com.
Tara Kuhn is the Marketing Manager for Penton Media’s Club Industry Conference & Exposition. She can be contacted at 913.981.6147, or by email at tara.kuhn@penton.com , or visit www.clubindustryshow.com .
