This year, taking the show on the road to one of the most well-known cities in the world is one of many changes for the Club Industry 2012 Conference and Trade Show, which takes place Oct. 10-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Creating a more national feel for the show and attracting a strong audience from around the country were important reasons for moving the show from Chicago to Las Vegas, says the show’s director, Adam Andersen.
However, the change in location is only the beginning of additions to this year’s show.
“We’ve engaged a number of new partners and exhibitors for this year that we haven’t previously because of the location,” Andersen says. “I think that they’re going to bring more excitement to the show floor in terms of what you see in the exhibit space but also in the conference program.”
The Club Industry show will kick off with a welcome reception that will give attendees a chance to network and mingle from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at the First Food and Bar in The Palazzo. More networking will take place on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Best of the Best Awards reception, where some of the best programming in the fitness business will be honored. For the first time, this year’s contest includes vendor awards in which manufacturers will be recognized for the best treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical and club management software.
“In years past, it’s been a breakfast or a brunch, and this year we’re moving it to an evening event on Thursday, and we’ve added vendor awards,” Andersen says of the Best of the Best Awards reception. “I’m really excited about the opportunity that [this] brings for networking, but [it] also highlights the best of the industry.”
The CEO Summit at last year’s show drew more than 45 CEOs in the health and wellness industry. This year, the second annual invitation-only CEO Summit will take place on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Renaissance hotel adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Summit will include a panel session, luncheon speaker, break-out discussions and networking time.
The keynote speaker on Thursday will be John DiJulius, owner and president of John Robert’s Spa and president of The DiJulius Group. DiJulius will speak at 10 a.m., after the presentation of the Club Industry Lifetime Achievement Award at 9:30 a.m. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Joe Cirulli, founder and CEO of Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers, Gainesville, FL.
Other featured speakers are wellness coach and author Shea Vaughn, founder and CEO of SheaNetics, who will speak at noon on Thursday. Phillip Mills, founder and CEO of Les Mills International, Auckland, New Zealand, will deliver his address at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday.
To highlight the personal trainer sector of the health and fitness industry, Club Industry partnered with Personal Fitness Professional magazine to bring the Trainer of the Year Awards to the show this year. The award, which will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, will recognize exemplary leaders in the industry who demonstrate a strong commitment to their clients, career and community.
“We’re really excited about what that brings as far as focusing on personal trainers with the personal trainer pavilion, personal trainer summit, partnering with the W.I.T.S. organization and then also a personal trainer forum,” Andersen says. “Trade shows make people feel like they’re a part of a smaller community within a larger community, and we really embrace the personal trainer category and community.”
Attendees can sign up for tours of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Student Recreation and Wellness Center and the Zappos corporate headquarters. Both tours are from 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Attendees can try new products on the exhibit hall floor from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12.
Live product and group exercise demonstrations will be presented at Club Industry LIVE on the exhibit hall floor. The exhibit hall also will have a new area called Club Industry Hero, which is in partnership with Star Trac and its inner hero campaign.
With a change in venue and the additions to this year’s trade show and conference, attendees will have many opportunities for industry insights from some of the most celebrated individuals in the health club community.
NEXT PAGE: CLUB INDUSTRY 2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2012 CLUB INDUSTRY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 10
Thursday, October 11
Friday, October 12
EXHIBIT HALL EVENTS
Club Industry LIVE (Booth 1632)
Hosted by Jennifer Rush Jacobs from “The Biggest Loser,” the area features product demonstrations, keynote and session speaker Q&As, celebrity appearances and more.
Club Industry RIDE (Booth 332)
A hot spot on the show floor with workouts led by certified expert
instructors and classes on the techniques and body geometry that
is critical for safe and effective training.
Fitness Fashion Show
Come see the latest in fitness fashion from the top brands. Models will take to the stage showing off yoga, running and biking fitness looks.
Club Industry Bookstore
The information leader in physical activity and health, providing quality resources at every instructional level.
CLICK HERE FOR THE CLUB INDUSTRY EXHIBITOR LIST