Keynote: Dr. Nancy Snyderman, chief medical editor, NBC News

After a nine-year absence, the Club Industry East Conference and Exposition returns to Boston with a program designed to help club operators ride out the economic downturn and be prepared for the eventual upswing.

The event runs May 27-30 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and includes a full schedule of classes to enable delegates to manage their clubs more efficiently, increase retention, attract new clients and build ancillary revenue.

Last year's conference was held in New York City, but Boston presented many opportunities for club organizers this year, says Zari Stahl, Club Industry East group show director.

“Boston is an attractive destination with its world-class hotels and new convention center,” says Stahl. “Its historic sites and cosmopolitan atmosphere lend itself to a great convention town. It's also one of the top areas in the country for the integration of medical and fitness and physical therapy. Plus, we're offering topics and solutions on alternative energy, as well as dealing with the tough economic issues we're facing and competing with niche facilities and low-cost competitors.”

About 2,000 attendees are expected at the conference, and nearly 100 exhibitors will be on hand at the trade show. The exhibit floor will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29, as well as from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. In addition, the trade show floor will be open for early morning workouts from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday mornings.

Dr. Nancy Snyderman, chief medical editor for NBC News, will present the keynote at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 28. She will discuss her new book “Diet Myths That Keep You Fat.”

A free panel session at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, is titled “It Is Easy Being Green: Saving Money (and the Planet) with Simple Green Ideas.” The panel will discuss green architecture, recycling and new cardio equipment that converts energy generated by exercising members into usable, green energy. Panelists are Will Phillips, CEO, REX Roundtables; Michael Curnyn, chief strategy and marketing officer of the Green Revolution Inc.; Gary Graham, co-founder of green architect Graham/Meus Inc.; Robert Politzer, president and CEO of GreenStreet Inc.; and Hannah Kempski, marketing director of Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women.

Attendees also can visit the free Ask the Experts lounge on the exhibit hall floor during show hours to ask questions of leading authorities on topics such as financing, building ancillary revenues, member retention, the changing market, and sales and marketing.

The 85-session conference program features nine educational tracks, including three new ones:

• Leadership and Personal Development (New)
• Specialty Populations (New)
• Nutrition and Weight Loss (New)
• Business Management
• Sales and Marketing
• Customer Service and Retention
• Creative Programming
• Wellness and Medical
• Personal Training

In addition, continuing education units will be offered by 14 fitness associations. Four associations also will offer certification exams at the conference on Tuesday, May 26, and Saturday, May 30.

The New England Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association designated Club Industry East as its official spring conference and trade show. Plus, the Northeastern Region of the National Strength & Conditioning Association is joining with show organizers to present several conference sessions, including an all-day session on Wednesday, May 27, titled “Training from the Ground Up,” as well as some of the active training sessions.

An overview of the Club Industry East educational sessions is at the right. Visit www.clubindustryshow.com/east for the full class schedule.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, May 27

Thursday, May 28

11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Keynote: Dr. Nancy Snyderman, chief medical editor, NBC News

Friday, May 29

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