Attention Chicago Cub Legends Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Ryne Sandberg: Come October, some new players will be in the Windy City, and they're looking to light up the scoreboard. Club Industry 2007, the conference and exposition for health and fitness facility management, will set up shop at McCormick Place in Chicago, Oct. 10-13, to bring education, networking and business opportunities to nearly 6,000 fitness business professionals.
“This is the gathering spot for the commercial industry,” says Zari Stahl, show director of Club Industry 2007. “Club operators need to be out there to network, to see what the competition is doing. Just existing in your neighborhood is not enough.”
This year's show focuses on a number of topics to help facilities better compete and optimally run their businesses, Stahl says.
“The theme of the industry is wellness and integration, but it's also about being different, setting yourself aside, developing a niche,” Stahl says. “That's why everyone is looking for different programs. They all want to increase revenue.”
To meet that demand, the show has partnered with four groups: The Corporate Fitness Show, OnSite Fitness, Small Business Review and SCW Fitness Education. The Corporate Fitness Show will include seminars, panels and workshops on the issues facing corporate fitness; OnSite Fitness will have an entire educational track geared for nonprofits; and the Small Business Review will provide a small business forum track for independent or single club owners. There will also be a free shuttle between SCW's Midwest Mania at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Oct. 12-14, and Club Industry 2007, along with special sessions on group fitness for profit.
The show will also feature sessions and educational events about customer service, an all-day session about club design and redesign, and a presentation by a representative of the University of South Florida about the school's recent study on active gaming and children.
High-profile speakers at the show will include world boxing champion Laila Ali, the famous daughter of Muhammad Ali. Laila Ali will speak on Thursday, Oct. 11, about how to motivate yourself and your clients to live a healthy lifestyle. Her address will follow the 11:30 a.m. presentation of Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro's Lifetime Achievement Award to Alan G. Schwartz, chairman of the board of TCA Holdings and founder of Midtown Tennis Club.
At 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, Dr. Mike Nichols, CEO and founder of the TempusClinic, will give his keynote address on fitness and medicine. (For biographies of Nichols and Laila Ali, see page 53.)
“The TempusClinic is one of the first clinics to really bring in the whole idea of modern medicine working with fitness and how those two really work together to create a healthy human being,” says Stacey Orlick, Club Industry 2007 conference director.
Later that day at 2 p.m., Pamela Kufahl, editor of Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro, will present the winners of the magazine's annual Best of the Best competition. The first-time event will be a 90-minute educational awards program in which attendees can gain insight into why each facility won. Also, attendees will hear more about the winning programs from the recipients themselves.
Other notable events include the welcome reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, that will get the show started with networking, music, food and cocktails. Attendees can get their workout and shopping in early by trying out equipment first-hand on the show floor during the early morning workouts from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13. From 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, Lincoln Park Athletic Club will start the day off by presenting a free Turbo Kick™ class at the Hilton Palmer House. The high-energy interval-based class uses intensity drills and increased energy springs followed by work recovery segments, allowing participants to customize their workout.
New this year is the official Club Industry bookstore. Located in the north hall lobby next to registration, the bookstore will showcase literature by the show's presenters along with other books on fitness, nutrition and business. As of press time, author signings were being scheduled, Stahl says. Check www.clubindustryshow.com for times as the show approaches.
A Club Industry show wouldn't be complete without the exhibit hall floor, a three-day frenzy of hot products and services. This year, more than 900 exhibitors are scheduled to attend.
“There are so many ideas out there, and if you come see them, then you can also see what you can implement in your business,” Stahl says. “Why settle on attracting a few people when you can really make an impact in your community? At Club Industry, you can understand the trends and see how you can implement those trends.”
Club Industry 2007 Schedule of Events
Conference: Oct. 10-13, 2007 • Exhibits: Oct. 11-13, 2007 • McCormick Place, Chicago, IL Club Industry Travel Desk: 800-631-5294 • www.clubindustryshow.com
Wednesday, Oct. 10
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | All-Day Sessions (A1, A2) |
| Noon - 1:30 p.m. | B Sessions |
| 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | C Sessions |
| 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | D Sessions |
| 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
Thursday, Oct. 11
| 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. | Turbo Kick™ Workouts |
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | All-Day Session (A3) |
| 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. | E Sessions |
| 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | F Sessions |
11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Alan G. Schwartz, TCA Holdings
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Keynote Address: Laila Ali, World Boxing Champion
| 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | G Sessions/Executive Roundtables |
Friday, Oct. 12
| 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. | Early Morning Workouts |
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | All-Day Sessions (A4, A5) |
| 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. | H sessions |
| 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | J Sessions |
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Keynote Address: Dr. Mike Nichols, TempusClinic
11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Best of the Best Awards Presentation/Educational Seminar
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
K Sessions/Executive Roundtables
Saturday, Oct. 13
| 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. | Early Morning Workouts |
| 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | L Sessions |
| 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | M Sessions |
Exhibitors' List
| Company | Booth # |
|---|---|
| 2XL Corp./Gym Wipes | 336 |
| AB Coaster | 110 |
| ABC Financial Services | 849 |
| Abcore Fitness Inc. | 1419 |
| Absolo | 325 |
| Active XL | 116 |
| Aerobics and Fitness Assoc. of America | 1251 |
| AGM Group / AeroMat | 1433 |
| American Specialty Health | 359 |
| American Council on Exercise | 1415 |
| Aqua Massage International | 142 |
| Ariel Scientific Group | 241 |
| Armasport-Duomed Inc. | 1431 |
| ASF | 449 |
| Aspen Information Systems | 348 |
| AthleteInMe LLC | 967 |
| Athletic Business | 559 |
| Athletix Products | 438 |
| AV Now, Inc. | 235 |
| Avanti Fitness/Cardio Gym | 737 |
| Axess North America LLC | 860 |
| Balanced Body | 725 |
| Bashham Management & Associates Inc. | 561 |
| Biocomfort USA | 964 |
| Biometrics Nutrition & Fitness | 858 |
| Blue Fish Active Wear | 1060 |
| Body Bar Systems | 352 |
| Bodyblade/Hymanson Inc. | 1059 |
| Boot Camp Challenge | 1421 |
| Brewers Ledge | 648 |
| BV Entertainment | 864 |
| Card Imaging | 104 |
| Cardiac Science Corporation | 356 |
| Centaur Floor Systems | 959 |
| Checkfree | 949 |
| CleenTec | 1350 |
| Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro | registration area |
| Club Insider News | 106 |
| Club Resource Group | 750 |
| Club Solutions Magazine | 138 |
| Concept2 | 337 |
| Conexion | 1259 |
| Coral Springs Software | 666 |
| Creative Agency Group | 971 |
| Creative Health Products | 671 |
| CRS Products International | 957 |
| CSI Software | 331 |
| Cybex | 901 |
| CycleOps Power | 665 |
| DirectTV | 458 |
| Dr. Smoothie Enterprises | 770 |
| efi Sports Medicine | 1049 |
| Egg Whites International | 249 |
| Europa Sports Products | 563 |
| Everlast Performance Flooring | 1129 |
| Expresso Fitness Corp. | 1335 |
| E-Z Facility.com | 758 |
| Fabiano Designs Intl. | 649 |
| FD-Group | 100 |
| Fitlinxx | 321 |
| Fitness Anywhere Inc. | 1161 |
| Fitness Business News | 871 |
| Fitness Fit Active Wear | 965 |
| Fitness Insurance.com/Jewell Insurance Assoc. | 558 |
| Fitness Management | 765 |
| Fitness Master Inc. | 1423 |
| Freemotion Fitness Inc. | 527 |
| Fundamental Fitness Products | 1056 |
| GameBike, Hudson Fitness Products | 936 |
| Gojo Industries | 767 |
| Government Recreation and Fitness | 126 |
| Gym Valet | 1255 |
| GymTicket.com | 1348 |
| Hampton Fitness Products | 1314 |
| Haro Sports Floors | 366 |
| Health Club Managers Inc. | 334 |
| Healthways | 761 |
| Human Kinetics | 1257 |
| Hydromassage | 1071 |
| IDEAL Products | 561 |
| IHRSA | 354 |
| Inko Sport America LLC | 970 |
| Intek Strength | 1402 |
| International Tanning Equipment | 1441 |
| Iron Grip Barbell | 1135 |
| IRONWEAR | 135 |
| Ivanko Barbell Co. | 1035 |
| Juice Plus + Nutritional Systems | 759 |
| K&K Insurance Group Inc. | 748 |
| KBL America | 1408 |
| Keiser Corp. | 935 |
| KI Software | 224 |
| Laundry Loops | 102 |
| Learning ZoneXpress | 772 |
| Legacy Lockers | 861 |
| Life Fitness | 501 |
| Mad Dogg Athletics and Spinning | 1149 |
| Magnum Fitness Systems | 419 |
| Markel Insurance | 237 |
| Matrix Fitness Systems | 101 |
| MBT Physiological Footwear | 124 |
| McArthur Towels | 350 |
| Met-Rx/Worldwide Sports Nutrition | 549 |
| Microfit Inc. | 764 |
| Mind Your Body | 1449 |
| Motivatrix | 119 |
| Motus USA | 929 |
| National Council on Strength & Fitness | 862 |
| National Federation Professional Trainers | 358 |
| National Fitness | 762 |
| Nautilus Inc. | 471 |
| NESTA | 1160 |
| NewLeaf Health &Fitness Products | 1403 |
| NSCA Certification Commission | 120 |
| Octane Fitness | 539 |
| Oka b. | 1253 |
| Onsite Fitness Magazine | 1411 |
| Optimal Design Systems International | 1052 |
| Oreck Commercial Sales | 363 |
| Panasonic | 1155 |
| Paramount Acceptance | 470 |
| Paramount Fitness | 1101 |
| Perform Better M-F Athletics Co. | 1241 |
| Performance Food Centers | 771 |
| Personal Fitness Professional | 1070 |
| Personal Training on the Net | 360 |
| Pharmanex | 248 |
| Pneumex Inc. | 865 |
| Polar Electro Inc. | 1063 |
| Power Bottle USA | 763 |
| Power Plate | 1355 |
| Power Systems | 749 |
| Precor Inc. | 301 |
| Prime Play by Whitewater | 660 |
| Progio | 1448 |
| Promaxima Fitness Manufacturing | 463 |
| Pure Fruit Technologies | 370 |
| RB Rubber | 436 |
| RenoSys Corp. | 756 |
| Retention Management | 1158 |
| Royale International Beverage Co. | 1064 |
| Sales Makers | 1401 |
| SCIFIT | 924 |
| Shape.net Software | 960 |
| So Easy 3-Day Colon Cleanse | 250 |
| Soft Play LLC | 651 |
| Speed Queen | 267 |
| Sports & Fitness Insurance Corp. | 1439 |
| Sports Art America Inc. | 923 |
| SPRI Products | 1121 |
| Star Trac | 701 |
| Steam Sauna Inc. | 1249 |
| STOTT PILATES | 217 |
| Strive Smart Strength | 519 |
| Tanita Corp. | 460 |
| The Active Network | 870 |
| Treeforms Lockers | 766 |
| Troy Barbell & Fitness | 1235 |
| True Fitness | 1219 |
| TruForm Fitness | 238 |
| Tugs Fitness | 1413 |
| Twin Oaks Software Development | 565 |
| United Leasing Inc. | 361 |
| Valeo Inc. | 555 |
| Versa Climber | 956 |
| Visual Fitness Planner | 130 |
| Vitabot | 1048 |
| WaterRower Inc. | 1349 |
| Wellness Health Education Network | 141 |
| Woodway USA | 229 |
| XSport Fitness | 349 |
| Xvest | 857 |
| Zumba Fitness | 1407 |
Exhibit Hall Hours
Thursday, Oct. 11
12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 12
11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 13
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.