This year's Club Industry East heads to bustling downtown Baltimore and the Baltimore Convention Center, nestled next to the beautiful Inner Harbor May 11-14. This year's show sets itself apart with the motto: Refocus, Reshape, Retain. With more than 100 seminars, new equipment launches and powerful programming — club owners and managers will have useful, pertinent and timely info right at their fingertips.
For those attendees that are looking to gain in-depth knowledge and real-world training, all day sessions are offered that will include such diverse topics as Building/Rebuilding a Club: Serving and Keeping its Members; Assessment and Solutions: Planning and Training for Success; Engaged Selling; Improving Management Skills; Turning Personal Training into Your Top Revenue Producer; and A Three-Step Formula for Opening a Profitable Club.
An impressive seminar line-up with some of the top people in the industry is offered as well. Take a look at the Schedule of Events on p. 35 for a complete line-up.
Gina Kolata will give the free keynote address on Wednesday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on “Ultimate Fitness The Quest for Truth About Exercise and Health.” (See the interview with Editor-in-Chief John Agoglia on p. 39).
The free Fitness Summit, “Beyond the Bottom Line: Building a Healthier America, How the Public and Private Sectors Can Work Together for a Fitter Nation,” will be delivered by Melissa Johnson and Ken Germano on Thursday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
In between participating in the all-day seminars and checking out the many and varied seminar tracts and touring the show floor to see all of the exhibits, you can also check out the Club Studio Club Industry Career Connection. Club Studio offers 45-minute sessions during show hours in the exhibit hall, where various high-interest group exercise programs will be demonstrated. You can also look into the latest job opportunities from leading profit and non-profit facilities during show hours at the Club Industry Career Connection.
| Tuesday, May 11 | |
|---|---|
| Exhibit Hall Closed | |
| 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | All-Day Sessions |
| Noon - 1:30 p.m. | B Sessions |
| 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | C Sessions |
| 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | D Sessions |
| 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception, Calvert Ballroom Radisson Plaza, Lord Baltimore |
| Wednesday, May 12 | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. | Early Morning Pilates, Versaille Ballroom Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore; Sponsored by STOTT PILATES |
| 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | E Sessions |
| 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | All-Day Sessions |
| 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | F Sessions |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Free Keynote Address: “Ultimate Fitness: The Quest for Truth About Exercise and Health. Gina Kolata (Room 308) |
| 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Executive Roundtables G Sessions |
| 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 5:30 p.m. | Free Guided Tour Camden Yards, (Baltimore Orioles stadium) Meet at Babe Ruth Statue, Camden St. |
| Thursday, May 13 | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Early Morning Workouts, Exhibit Hall |
| 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | H Sessions |
| 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | All-Day Sessions J Sessions |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Free Fitness Summit: Beyond the Bottom Line: Building a Healthier America, Chaired by Melissa Johnson (Room 308) |
| 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Executive Roundtables K Sessions |
| Friday, May 14 | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Early Morning Workouts, Exhibit Hall |
| 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | L Sessions |
| 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | M Sessions |
| 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open |
The Conference and Exposition for Health & Fitness Facility Management
May 11-14, 2004
Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD
Exhibit Hall Hours
Wednesday, May 12, 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 13 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 14 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
FREE KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Gina Kolata, Science Reporter, New York Times
Author: “Ultimate Fitness The Quest for Truth About Exercise and Health
Wednesday, May 12, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Kolata caused a stir with her widely quoted overview of the fitness industry. She examines it from the early beginnings when weightlifting was the fad to jogging in the 1970s, cycling in the 1980s, aerobics in the 1990s and spinning and group exercise. Hear her theories as to what drives people to exercise vigorously, and the pros and cons of the various exercise regimens…and what she thinks professionals can do to inspire more of the deconditioned to get with the program.
FREE Fitness Summit:
Beyond the Bottom Line: Building A Healthier America
How the Public and Private Sectors Can Work Together for A Fitter Nation
Thursday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Melissa Johnson, Executive Director, President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports (PCPFS); Ken Germano, President, American Council on Exercise (ACE); Founder, Operation FitKids, Gwen Foster; Fitness Czar, City of Philadelphia, Rob Goldman, Vice President and Director of Sport & Fitness Division, The Columbia Association; Barbara Beck, M.S., R.D., the Coca-Cola Company.
Effecting an overall improvement in America's fitness is almost like the weather: everyone talks about it, but no one can seem to get anything done. This blue-ribbon panel will discuss concrete and innovative solutions that cross borderlines of the private and public sector. The goal is to draft a workable plan of action.
Welcome Reception:
Tuesday, May 11, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Radisson Lord Baltimore Plaza. Enjoy food, beverages and fun at the industry's most popular gathering.
Early Morning Pilates:
Wednesday, May 12, 7:00 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Radisson Lord Baltimore Plaza.
Start your day off right and join STOTT PILATES for an early morning workout. Through STOTT's contemporary approach to the original mind-body exercise method pioneered by Joseph Pilates, you will experience a full body workout. It will be taught with an emphasis on exercise essence, including breathing, muscular emphasis and possible modifications.
Early Morning Workouts:
Thursday, May 13, Friday, May 14, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. at the Exhibit Hall.
While you can examine the hot new equipment any time during show hours, you can get a lot more at the Early Morning Workouts on Thursday and Friday morning.
Compare performance and ask questions: exhibitors will be happy to give you the answers you need (a lot of them will be giving out t-shirts, towels and other neat souvenirs). We'll be serving a free continental breakfast.
Club Studio Exhibit Hall:
Club Studio features forty-five-minute-program sessions during show hours. High interest group exercise programs are one of the key factors that drive participation in every type of fitness operation. New dance workouts, martial arts and bootcamp workouts are just a few disciplines that will be demonstrated.
Club Industry Career Connection:
In the Exhibit Hall during show hours. See the latest job opportunities from leading profit and non-profit facilities.
Free Guided Tour of Oriole Park at Camden Yards: Wednesday, May 12, 5: 30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Pre-registration required. Please see the www.clubindustryshow.com web site.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is perhaps the centerpiece of development for Baltimore's exciting Inner Harbor entertainment district. Located just steps away from the Convention Center and the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore hotel, it became the official home of the Orioles in April of 1992.
The onetime railroad center took nearly three years to build. It's also just two blocks from the birthplace of baseball legend Babe Ruth — in fact, the Ruth family restaurant and residence was located in what is now center field. What makes it a landmark is its unique architectural blend of the urban character of downtown Baltimore and a design that pays homage to the great ballparks of yesteryear, like Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn, Philadelphia's Shibe Park, and Chicago's Wrigley Field.
The tour includes: the Orioles dugout • the Press Level • the Scoreboard/JumboTron control room • the exclusive Suite Level, as well as a fascinating historical narrative. Limited availability so please make your reservations now.
Visit our website at:
www.clubindustryshow.com
Fax: 508-759-4552 (Exhibits or Conference)
Information: Call 800-927-5007 or 203-358-3751 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST)
Group rates (10 more) Call Mark Betz at: 203-358-3713.
Club Industry Exchange:
Gina Kolata Gina Kolata, science reporter for The New York Times and author of Ultimate Fitness The Quest for Truth About Exercise and health will deliver the Keynote Address on May 12 at 11:30 a.m.
Ci: What do you feel are the biggest contributors to the obesity crisis in America?
I'd like to say that too few people belong to health clubs. But, seriously, I don't think there's a consensus among serious researchers on what's causing the obesity epidemic except that food is cheap and plentiful and something in our society is pushing people to become fatter. I don't think it's the fault of the overweight people, however — most would give anything to be thin and many have fought long and hard to lose weight and keep it off. If it were just a matter of being aware of obesity or aware of the need to eat less and exercise more, no one would be fat.
Ci: What do you feel contributes most to the amount of misinformation among Americans when it comes to fitness?
There is too little effort on the part of the public and much of the media to ask critical questions about some of the programs and claims. For example, how could anyone take seriously a book promising that eight minutes a day of so-called strength training will let you lose two pounds a week? That would mean that you would build muscles so powerful that they alone burn 1,000 calories a day! Did anyone ever ask whether this made sense? Yet, it is just one of hundreds, if not thousands, of misleading claims that are foisted on a gullible public.
Ci: How can fitness professionals help spread the truth about health and fitness?
Well, they can recommend my book. But also they can suggest that clients ask themselves if a claim sounds too good to be true. If so, it probably is. They also can tell clients that your body only changes, becoming more fit, with effort, but that the effort can be fun and rewarding. Sweat, even muscle soreness, are not dreaded side effects of exercise.
Ci: Do you find people want to hear the real truth of what it takes to get and stay fit or are most still looking for the quick fix or the magic bullet?
It's mixed. Some who are naturally skeptical or who have become disillusioned with the quick fix want to hear the truth. Others just want to believe.
Ci: In your book it comes across that you feel the fitness profession [training certifications, primarily] may not be professional enough. Is that something you feel needs to change for the industry to be taken seriously and grow?
I would like to see some evidence that personal trainers have successfully designed and implemented training programs.
Ci: Do you feel the certification of certifying agencies by organizations such as the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) would help?
I don't know, it depends on what is required.
Ci: Finally, if you were to pass along one piece of advice to the member of a health club that every gym owner or manager should keep in mind, what would it be?
Make your gym a place so clean and pleasant and even beautiful that we want to come there, and make sure your staff acts like they like us. Maintain your equipment. Have some group exercise classes for novices and something more challenging for the very fit. Above all, just be welcoming. Health clubs can be intimidating to those who do not already love exercise, and if exercise is humiliating or if it seems more like medicine than fun, no one will ever stay with it.
Exhibitor Listing by Organization
| Organization | Booth Number |
|---|---|
| A-1 Textiles & Hospitality Products | 1012 |
| ABC Financial Services Inc. | 724 |
| ActivLite Fitness Drink For Women | 419 |
| ActivTrax | 226 |
| ADI / Tanning Beds | 105 |
| AESON Flooring Systems, a div. of Stage Step Inc. | 424 |
| Amino Vital | 1111 |
| Aphelion Inc. | 318 |
| Aspen Information | 119 |
| Biometrics Nutrition & Fitness | 322 |
| Blue Fish Activewear | 821 |
| Body Cycle/Millenium Fitness Int'l | 918 |
| Body Masters | 610 |
| BroadcastVision | 618 |
| Centaur Floor Systems | 622 |
| CheckFree Corporation | 904 |
| Club Industry | 919 |
| ClubLife Media | 1104 |
| Computer Outfitters | 524 |
| Conexion | 423 |
| CSI Software | 519 |
| CSSI | 101 |
| Dr. Smoothie Enterprises | 1010 |
| Dur-A-Flex Inc. | 425 |
| EFI Sports Medicine | 810 |
| Electronic Billing Services | 922 |
| Emkay Designs | 723 |
| EVERLAST Performance Flooring | 718 |
| Exertron | 326 |
| Fabiano Designs International | 1007 |
| Fitdv | 526 |
| Fitness Trivia | 522 |
| Flaghouse | 324 |
| Flex Fitness Inc. | 110 |
| Freedom Systems | 727 |
| FreeMotion Fitness Inc. | 1000 |
| Full Circle Padding | 621 |
| Futrex | 1019 |
| Gerstung | 219 |
| Gym Source | 310 |
| Hampton Fitness Products | 107 |
| HealthClubSites.com | 1110 |
| I.F.P.A. | 1106 |
| I.H.R.S.A | 619 |
| Intek Strength | 1011 |
| K & K Insurance Group Inc. | 113 |
| KI eSolutions | 626 |
| Kidzpace Interactive | 1015 |
| Kleen-Machine | 327 |
| Landice Treadmills. | 222 |
| Life Fitness | 300 |
| Madsion Capital LLC | 625 |
| Magnum Fitness Equipment | 210 |
| MedX of Gainesville | 510 |
| Merritt Athletic Clubs | 127 |
| MET-Rx/Worldwide Sports Nutrition | 910 |
| M-F Athletics Company | 1005 |
| Miller Flooring Inc. | 1014 |
| National Council of Strength & Fitness | 223 |
| Nustep Inc. | 819 |
| Nutrigenesis Approach | 121 |
| Orthometrix Inc. | 623 |
| Paramount Fitness Equipment Company | 700 |
| Pawling Corporation | 115 |
| Pharmanex | 323 |
| Philadelphia Insurance Companies | 103 |
| PLH Products Healthmate Sauna's | 527 |
| Polar Electro | 418 |
| Power Systems Inc. | 719 |
| PowerHouse Marketing | 624 |
| Precor Inc. | 100 |
| QuanComm | 525 |
| Retention Management | 1018 |
| Sani Mist | 523 |
| Sasaki Associates | 1115 |
| SCIFIT | 1100 |
| Shape.Net Software | 427 |
| Star Trac Unisen | 800 |
| Stott Pilates | 824 |
| Strive Smart Strength | 218 |
| The Nautilus Heath & Fitness Group | 500 |
| Treeforms Lockers | 118 |
| True Fitness Technology | 710 |
| Twin Oaks Software Development | 818 |
| Unique Innovations Inc. | 1114 |
| VersaClimber | 518 |
| Vortex Fitness Equipment | 225 |
| Walk4Life Inc. | 720 |
| Warthan Associates Inc. | 111 |
| Woodway USA | 900 |
Top Ten Places to Visit In Baltimore
- The National Aquarium in Baltimore.
- Dining — Scrumptious Chesapeake Bay Seafood, award wining restaurants and ethnic flavors.
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards — home to the Baltimore Orioles (take advantage of the free guided tour).
- The Maryland Science Center featuring incredible IMAX movies.
- Fort McHenry National Monument, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write our national anthem.
- The Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum and the Visionary Art Museum.
- Power Plant Live! — a multimillion-dollar downtown entertainment district just one block from the Inner Harbor.
- Extraordinary neighborhoods — Little Italy for food, Mount Vernon for arts and culture, Fell's Point for antique shopping, night clubs, pubs and fine dining.
- Harborplace & the Gallery at Harbor Place — boutiques shops and a wide array of restaurants and eateries.
- The Inner Harbor — The convention center and the hotel are located in this scenic and popular waterfront area with dozens of retail stores, restaurants and attractions.