Lots of exciting stuff coming your way with the February issue. I just completed an interview this morning with Howard Brodsky, CEO of New York Health & Racquet Clubs (NYHRC). An abbreviated version of the interview will appear as a Q&A in the February issue in our newly relaunched department, Five Minutes With. We plan to feature other top-level executives in future issues. A longer version of the interview will appear online. Brodsky addressed several issues that I think facility owners and managers will find interesting, including the company's plans for expansion, his thoughts about competition and how he keeps each club fully staffed at a time when many club owners are finding that more difficult.
Amy Fischbach is working on a story about clubs that are reaching out to the Hispanic market. Although we continue to hear that the senior, Baby Boomer and youth markets are the groups to reach, the Hispanic population is exploding in this country, too. Some clubs are already targeting this group much to the pleasure of their pocketbooks. The story will definitely be worth the read.
I also participated in a conference call with our Club Industry show group this morning. We discussed some exciting ideas for the Club Industry East show this June in Orlando. I'll be able to discuss some of those ideas in this blog at a future date. Orlando is a new location for the show, but one that will be an exciting change of pace (and space). It will allow the regional and local club companies, military fitness and university fitness groups located in Florida and the South to more easily attend the show, which previously had been in the Northeast. Of course, the location and the timing also makes it an opportune time to bring the family for a little vacation! If you want more details about the show, check out the Club Industry East Web site here. - Pam