Clubindustry

Now that we’re a few days removed from Club Industry 2010 in Chicago, I have some final thoughts to share with you. This is required reading, whether or not you attended the show: more

The tour of Club Industry columnist presentations at CI 2010 kept right on rolling along Thursday with Eddie Tock and Thomas Kulp, who shared the spotlight for “Sales and Retention: The Key Dynamics to a Successful Club.” more

Here’s all you need to know about Rick Caro’s “The Real Insights on Why People Join Health Clubs and Why They Stay” presentation Thursday morning at CI 2010: I took 18 pages of notes. more

Time seemed really short at the conference and trade show this year, so my visits in the exhibit hall were rather limited, but I did visit with a few exhibitors. more

We thought since Bill Rancic is from Chicago and develops real estate here, coming to speak at the Club Industry show would be a piece of cake. Not so. more

The words “keynote speaker” seem a little odd when followed by the name Richard Simmons. We didn’t know really what to expect when we asked the fitness phenomenon to do us the honor today at Club Industry 2010. But we all knew that he wasn’t going to get up on stage in a suit and tie with a stack of index cards. more

With a name like “Gimme a W!”, you could probably already guess that the presentation from Kathy Stewart of Ellipse Fitness would involve a bit of cheerleading. In this case, the “W” stands for Stewart’s why, when, where, who and what of cheering clients on to weight-loss success. more

So, how about that party at the House of Blues last night? Did you make it? It was like a breath of fresh air – literally! Had to leave our cocoon here at McCormick Place away from the convention center and into the Heart of downtown Chicago! Leaves me wondering why we haven’t done this before. Great ambience, great crowd. The social aspect of these shows can’t be sold short. In large part, isn’t that why we’re here? Would love to hear some ideas from you and what social events you’ve loved and what you’d like to have us do for you here at the Club Industry show in the future. Thanks to those of you who came out last night. Because of you, the House of Blues rocked!

State-of-the-art equipment, top-notch facilities and a diverse schedule of programs may help draw customers to a health club, but there’s one thing that keeps them coming back, according to Sandy Coffman: the atmosphere. more

Walking around on a gimpy foot didn’t stop Donna Krech of Fitness Solution 24/7 from presenting ways to create new income streams for club operators at Club Industry 2010. more