It’s the Happiest Time of the Year

Holiday season is upon us, and traditionally usage in clubs goes in the tank. How can we keep our members engaged and using our clubs during this critical season? Here are five ideas to get you thinking.

1. Create a program or contest to make members use the club. Maybe tie in Myzone or another program or service that drives visits per week. Over six weeks they must average 12 visits, and if so they get entered into raffles for some holiday presents.
2. Host a holiday party. It’s a great time of year to thank your members for being members. Can you create an evening of fun, food and good spirits?
3. Create some fun charity drives. November is a great time to do things for the veterans, host a food drive, or do a turkey burner class to raise donations for charity. December is perfect for angel trees for needy families, opening doors to community for fun days and doing jingle bell rides for a local food pantry or charity.
4. Invite all members to come in for a reassessment and goal planning session to establish 2019 goals and objectives of exercise. There is no better time to implement a proactive program — just in time for New Year’s resolutions.
5. Seminars. With the winter weather coming it’s a perfect time to partner with therapists and doctors to run winter survival type seminars. Think skiing, snowboarding, flu season, snow shoveling, etc. What can you do to provide members with a reason to attend the club?

What others can you think of? Let’s share ideas and spread the love.

On a side note, keep in mind retention also starts with your employees — so what can you do to ensure they are growing this year? Maybe do a reflection versus a review. Have an employee holiday mixer. Get out into the clubs and thank them for their hard work. Give some fresh trainings to help them feel inspired for the upcoming year.

Retention happens on both fronts: Employee and members. Create the right environment, provide the value, differentiate yourself from others and make an impact every day.

Mark Miller is the COO of Merritt Clubs.