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AFIRM Fitness Showcase Tour Launches Successfully

Date: 2/7/11

'Thumbs Up' For Regional Fitness Concept

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – February 7, 2011 – Enlightening, energetic, educational, and economical.  Those words best describe the feelings of those who attended last week’s inaugural AFIRM Fitness Showcase Tour (February 3-4; Sheraton Gateway Hotel; Atlanta, Georgia).  All those in attendance walked away pleased that they made the effort to visit, exhibit, network, and check out some of the fitness industry’s latest and greatest gear, accessories, and equipment.

Brands which had booths at the AFIRM Fitness Showcase Tour included AbCoaster, ABC Financial, American Council on Exercise, Aspen Software, Champions Youth Fitness, CYBEX, EarthSaver Specialty Flooring, efi Sports Medicine, fitness/em, FMI, Freemotion, Iron Grip Barbell Company, LesMills, Life Fitness, Mad Dogg Athletics, Pavigym, Polar, Power Plate, Power Systems, Rubberflex Specialty Flooring, SportsArt Fitness, SPRI, Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation, TechnoGym, Thin & Healthy Total Solution, TRUE Fitness Technology, and Twin Oaks.

Thoughts, Opinions, and Observations
“The AFIRM Showcase was a positive experience for Technogym,” said Kim Donohue of Technogym.  “We were able to get some great exposure in the Atlanta market.”

“Attendees are grateful to have a show come to the Southeast since they have not been able to attend a trade show since The Super Show left Atlanta,” said Jennifer Urmston Lowe of the Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation.  “The drive-in concept has been very enticing to the attendees with whom I have spoken.  As an exhibitor, we have generated many good leads from the event.”

“As a retailer, the show gave us the ability to speak with vendors which is helpful with the tough economy,” said Kevin Dykeman of Play It Again Sports.  “In addition, the connections and insight we gained into the club market from the educational seminars were valuable to my business.”

“The AFIRM Fitness Showcase Tour was very informative and I met with several new potential vendors,” said Scott McLaughlin of Power Fitness.  “The Wii Triathlon was a great touch as an attendee.”

“I think the Fitness Showcase Tour event got off to a good start,” said AFIRM Executive Director Chuck Leve.  “The number of buyers for an inaugural, regional event like this was on par with what he felt we could attract.  We got a bad break from Mother Nature on day two, and there’s plenty of room for improvement, but all in all, we’re pleased.”

A Review of Day One
On Thursday, February 3, the agenda featured 10 educational sessions.  The topics were diverse and relevant to today’s fitness industry.  Some of the themes were How to Successfully Reach the Corporate Market, Back to the Fitness Future, Double and Triple Dues with Profitable Weight Loss in Your Club, Healthcare and Designing Successful Medical Referral Programs, among others.  A few of the presenters were Phil Trotter (President, Healthy Community Development), Sandy Coffman (President, Programming for Profit), and Casey Conrad (President, Communication Consultants)

A Review of Day Two
The schedule on Friday, February 4, began with WAGA-TV (“Good Day Atlanta”; Fox affiliate; Channel 5) in Atlanta broadcasting a series of ‘live’ segments so viewers at home could get a sneak peak at what the fitness industry had on display for attendees later that day.  And, there were an additional seven more educational sessions on the docket. Some of the themes of Friday’s seminar included Exercise Is Medicine, Why Corporate Wellness Is a Compelling Value Proposition, Driving Small Group Training Profitability, etc.

The Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers (AFIRM) is dedicated to developing benefits, products, and services specifically for fitness industry manufacturers and retailers. AFIRM will address fitness industry issues, help raise revenue and reduce expenses on behalf of its members, lobby Congress for pro-fitness legislation, and develop appropriate research.  For more information, please visit www.afirmfitness.org.