Just because the Club Industry 2010 Conference and Trade Show is one day shorter doesn't mean you'll get any less from the event.

“In the wake of the enduring effect that economic and social changes have had on the way business is done in our industry, we saw an opportunity to practice what we preach — opt for cost-effective savings wherever possible,” Zari Stahl, show director, says of the move to a shorter show. “We determined that streamlining our own business process would better meet our clients' needs.”

This year's show takes place Oct. 6-8 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The conference portion of the show is three days instead of four, and the expo portion is now two days instead of three, a change that Stahl says will make participating easier for many people.

“These schedules will minimize the amount of time attendees spend away from their facility and cut costs,” she says. “Exhibitors especially will find significant savings as the change will lower their employee travel and entertainment costs and eliminate a day of labor, which could have been billed at overtime rates on Saturday.”

However, attendees still have more than 110 seminars from which to choose.

“To deliver the same high-quality educational experience of the event, we've extended the hours on Thursday and Friday to make sure fitness suppliers and their clients have sufficient time to conduct business,” Stahl says. “This revised ‘right-sized’ schedule makes the show more time-efficient without diminishing the return.”

Despite the shorter conference, attendees have more networking opportunities. On Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., delegates can participate in luncheon roundtables and learn from peers. Later that day, attendees can do more networking from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the welcome reception, which moved to the House of Blues Chicago to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Club Industry show.

On Friday, Oct. 8, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Business Breakthrough Brunch, industry consultants will offer their thoughts about the winning programs in Club Industry's Best of the Best competition, and winners will receive their awards. The industry experts will suggest ways that attendees can implement similar programs.

Industry consultants will be available for more one-on-one time at the Ask the Experts lounge on the exhibit hall floor.

Of course, the conference isn't all about networking. It's also about recognizing an individual who has given much to the industry. Club Industry magazine will present this year's Lifetime Achievement Award to Curt Beusman, founder of Saw Mill Club, Mount Kisco, NY, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7. Immediately afterward, longtime fitness guru Richard Simmons will offer the keynote address. The second-day keynote address, by Bill Rancic, the first winner of “The Apprentice,” will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.

The exhibit hall is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7, and again from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.

One new event at the Club Studio in the exhibit hall is the Group X Gallery event — a group exercise competition among various clubs. Video of the presentations will appear at www.clubindustry.com.

For the latest exhibitor list, go here.

Club Industry 2010 Schedule

Wednesday, Oct. 6

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Seminars

9 a.m. - noon - Seminars

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Seminars

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Luncheon Roundtables

1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Seminars

1:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Seminars

3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Seminars

5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Welcome Reception, House of Blues Chicago

Thursday, Oct. 7

7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. - Early Morning Workout, Palmer House Hilton - Tabata 2010

8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Seminars

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation, Curt Beusman, founder of Saw Mill Club, and Keynote Presentation by Richard Simmons

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Open

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Group X Gallery-Live at Club Studio

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Ask the Experts Lounge

12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Seminars

12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Seminars

2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Seminars

Friday, Oct. 8

7 a.m. - 9 a.m. - Early Morning Workouts, Exhibit Hall

8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Seminars

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Keynote Presentation by Bill Rancic, winner of “The Apprentice”

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Open

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Group X Gallery-Live at Club Studio

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Ask the Experts Lounge

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Business Breakthrough Brunch: Winning Ideas and Expert Guidance

12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Seminars

12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Seminars

2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Seminars

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.