Big Turnout in the Big Apple!
Club Industry East Puts Growth in the Spotlight

After a three-year absence from New York, Club Industry East returned to the Metropolitan area April 16-19, 2008 with a strong showing.

Club Industry East brought together over 100 leading suppliers and 4,000 registrants from every facet of the professional fitness market, representing   for-profit fitness operations, corporate facilities, hospital fitness programs and wellness centers, hotel and residential gyms, colleges and universities, government/military and community recreation programs.

The non-profit sector was also represented by numerous YM/YWCAs as well as the JCCA (Jewish Community Centers of America), which conducted a special luncheon and information program on the first day of the show.

Traffic was brisk in the aisles throughout the three-day exhibition, even with the Pope’s visit complicating navigating the New York City streets. Interest ran high in a variety of new products, including new lines of equipment with electronic features to help motivate customers, energy-saving products and innovative personal training specialties.

“Club Industry East produced a steady stream of prospects for us,” said Ken Carpenter, Director of Sales for SportsArt Fitness. “We’ve developed some great contacts and strong leads. This is our first time back in several years and we’re very pleased with the results.”

The opening day keynote address was given by “trainer to the stars” Gunnar Peterson. Peterson told the overflow crowd that it was more important for clients to know their trainer’s name than the trainer to know theirs, since people love to show off their personal relationship. Michael Phillips, MD, of NYU Medical Center, delivered the second-day keynote, on MRSA (Methicillin-resistant streptococcus aureus), discussing measures operators could employ to prevent it in their facilities

The keynotes were part of a well-attended information program. More than 400 fitness operators gained insights and acquired new strategies from 70+ sessions. “The seminars on retention have been extremely valuable,’ said James Arrington, Jr., Owner of Anytime Fitness in Conyers, GA. “What we learned about motivating customers and getting referrals is information we’ll surely put to good use.”

Attendees also appreciated the networking opportunities presented by the show. “Attending Club Industry East helps me keep up with all of my contacts: I’m able to reconnect here with people in the business whom I’ve known for years,” said personal training consultant Gregory Vairo of Whitestone, NY.

Club Industry East 2009 will be held in the Boston Convention/Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts May 27-30, 2009.