There is little wonder why the fitness industry is holding another trade show in San Diego this year. After all, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association's “Tracking the Fitness Movement 2010” report listed San Diego as the No. 1 city in the United States with the highest rates of core participation in fitness activities. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have great weather year-round with many attractions for attendees.

Next month, the Athletic Business Conference and Expo takes place at the San Diego Convention Center, site of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) show last March.

The AB show takes place Dec. 2-4 in conjunction with the annual conferences of the International Council on Active Aging, the Medical Fitness Association and the National Alliance for Youth Sports.

In other words, the fittest city in America is about to get fitter.

The keynote speaker this year is Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, who will present his “Attitude, Character and Enthusiasm” address from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. Ditka, coach of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, is one of two men to win a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach and head coach. He currently is an NFL analyst for ESPN.

Before the AB show officially begins, attendees can enjoy several activities. On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the ninth annual AB Golf Classic will be held at Riverwalk Golf Club. Also that day, there will be pre-conference tours of recreation and sports facilities at the University of California-San Diego, San Diego State University and the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. Pre-conference workshops are scheduled throughout Wednesday as well.

The all-conference networking reception will be in AB exhibit halls F-H from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday,Dec. 2, featuring music by the band Breez'n.

Show floor hours are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. The show floor will include a free-throw contest with a donation to the National Alliance for Youth Sports' Game On! program. At the AB-SCW Fitness Education workout stage — which was first added to last year's AB show — attendees can participate in the latest fitness classes. The early-morning workout is from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3.

The Facility of Merit awards reception will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center just down the street from the convention center. Architects, consultants and representatives of the winning facilities will be on hand with other attendees and editors from Athletic Business magazine to mingle and watch a video that highlights the winning facilities.

Educational seminars begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, and continue through noon on Saturday, Dec. 4.

A schedule of events is on page 46. For more information on the show, visit www.athleticbusinessconference.com.

The next two AB shows will be Dec. 1-3, 2011, inOrlando and Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2012, in New Orleans.

2010 ATHLETIC BUSINESS CONFERENCE AND EXPO SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Dec. 2-4, San Diego Convention Center

Tuesday, Nov. 30

4 p.m.-6 p.m. - Registration

Wednesday, Dec. 1

7 a.m.-6 p.m. - Registration

7:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m. - Ninth Annual AB Golf Classic, Riverwalk Golf Club

8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - Pre-conference tour: University of California-San Diego

8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - Pre-conference workshop: Newest Customer Service Strategies You Can't Afford to Miss - Scott Chovanec

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. - Pre-conference workshop: ARM (Aquatic Risk Management) for Pools - Tom Griffiths and Shawn DeRosa

Noon-4:30 p.m. - Pre-conference tour: San Diego State University

1 p.m.-4 p.m. - Pre-conference workshop: Untangle Technology! A Guided Tour through the Latest and Greatest - Jodi Rudick and Becky Carroll

1 p.m.-5 p.m. - Pre-conference workshop: Designing Your Dream Facility: Survival of the Fittest - Erik Kocher and Stephen DeHekker

1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. - Pre-conference workshop: Know More! Sponsorships - Sam Richter

1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. - Pre-conference tour: The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

Thursday, Dec. 2

6:45 a.m.-5 p.m. - Registration

8 a.m.-1 p.m. - Educational seminars

1 p.m.-7 p.m. - Trade show grand opening

5 p.m.-7 p.m. - All-conference reception

Friday, Dec. 3

6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. - Early-morning workout

6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. - Registration

8 a.m.-11:15 a.m. - Educational seminars

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. - Keynote address: Mike Ditka

1 p.m.-5 p.m. - Trade show

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. - Educational seminars

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - Facility of Merit Reception

Saturday, Dec. 4

7:45 a.m.-noon - Registration

8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. - Educational seminars

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