What an LIW it was…

On the morning of Monday 20^th September, Mr Jonny Sullens stood atop a surf board, waves crashing around him as he surveyed the building of his empire…  As any good Event Director should do, Mr Sullens was road-testing the products that would, the very next day, be available to the punters of the Fitness Industry…  I still await the photographic evidence of this particular health & safety assessment – The Wave-Surfer.

From the moment we arrived to set up the FIA Industry Lounge on Monday, it was clear that this show would run smoothly (if I may boast such confidence) – conversations with some surprisingly relaxed exhibitors assured me of this.

The buzz of the show kicked in on Tuesday morning as the whir of fitness equipment demos filled the air – kranking, spinning, bikini-clad cross-training – not to mention the “whir-free” varieties: boxing, pole-dancing, dancing… and a rather tired Santa Claus having a snooze (yes, that made me look twice - I thought it was our Finance Director first time around!)

Dave Stalker’s keynote, where he launched the five year industry strategy was the perfect opening to LIW and marks a real turning point for our industry. Stay tuned for the roll out plan…

Hopefully you all had the opportunity to visit us on our mammoth double-decker Industry Lounge stand (many thanks to the Jonnys for creating such an incredible structure that didn’t collapse under the strain of 80 lunch-filled Health & Fitness Leaders, as per my nightmares…).  We enjoyed the pleasure of hosting lunches for SPORTA, Community Sport Seminar delegates and those on the Health & Fitness Leaders Programme as well as meeting our many members and launching our brand new Individual Memberships (which incidentally can be purchased for just £29.99)

The jam-packed FIA Drinks Reception on Tuesday night saw over £300 raised for Help for Heroes – many thanks to all who contributed!  To view the raffle prize winners click here.  We were honoured to have the inspirational Berni Shrosbree with us at the reception to share news of his most recent adventures (unfortunately this was greeted in part by a wall of noise – combatative solutions for next year on a postcard please!).

Wednesday, saw a wealth of free education up for grabs, which was well attended and received.  A part of this was the independent operators tailored IOU Seminars, which saw over 250 clubs in attendance!  The seminars looked at the cornerstones of their operation; concluding with 6 independent club owners offering their views on the challenges they’ve faced over the past year.  The day ended in the best possible way - a huge party in the centre of Birmingham –dancing, a great band and general merriment led to many a sore head the following morning…

Thursday’s seminars with Sport England were extremely popular and couldn’t have come at a better time. We look forward to working further with them in the build up to 2012.

All in all, I think you’ll agree - a full and exciting show. Fabulously organised (our congratulations go to UBM) and diligently attended (our praise goes to those Industry bods that recognise the need to invest in their industry and make the most of events such as these).  It was fantastic to see so many of you there and I look forward to more of the same at the next industry event!

To view our photos from the show – check out the FIA Flickr Page

The FIA Welcomes Mark Talley & ‘Making a Difference with Better Variety!’

The FIA is please to introduce Mark Talley, Fitness Director at LA Fitness as one of its key speakers, and special guest bloggers in the lead up to the 'FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010' (21st - 23rd September, NEC Birmingham). Welcome!

Everyone tells us we don’t do it well enough, so just how can we start interacting with and engaging our members more effectively? My session on ‘Member Interaction & Engagement - Making a difference with better variety’ will draw upon established research and my practical experience gained over the last 20 years.

As an operator, not an academic, I will provide you with some practical tools and advice to help you create and manage a more engaging experience for your members. In particular I will reveal the new LA Experience, designed to enhance the experience of existing members through increased meaningful interaction, increase engagement of its people and improve sales and membership yield.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Mark Talley

Mark’s session will be taking place on September 22, 11.30am at Leisure Industry Week 2010. For further information about LA Fitness please visit www.lafitness.co.uk.

The FIA talks to Michael Crowe from Think Feel Know ahead of LIW 2010

With just over a week left until LIW, the FIA would like to introduce Michael Crowe, Director of Think Feel Know, who is joining us here as a guest blogger, and at the 'FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010' (21st - 23rd September, NEC Birmingham) where he will be exploring the best ways to lead during the recession.



Michael's session will be taking place on September 22, 9.30am at Leisure Industry Week 2010. For further information about Michael Crowe and Think Feel Know please visit www.thinkfeelknow.com.

Introducing TV Life-Coach Pete Cohen & ‘What It Takes to Be Exceptional!’

The FIA is please to introduce TV life-coach Pete Cohen as one of its key speakers, and special guest bloggers in the lead up to the 'FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010' (21st - 23rd September, NEC Birmingham). Welcome!

During my session at the ‘FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010’ I will be looking at ‘What It Takes to Be Exceptional!’.

Research now shows that the lack of natural talent is irrelevant to great success. So what are the secrets of exceptional people?

Talent has little or nothing to do with being exceptional. You can make yourself into any number of things, and you can even make yourself great or even exceptional.

The first major conclusion I will look to draw during my session is that nobody is great without work. It is nice to believe that if you find the field where you're naturally gifted, you will be great from day one, but this just doesn't happen. There's no evidence of high-level performance without experience or practice.

The best people in any field are those who devote the most hours to what the researchers call "deliberate practice." It is activity that is explicitly intended to improve performance that reaches for objectives just beyond one's level of competence, provides feedback on results and involves high levels of repetition.

But how do we translate this into business? Many elements of business, in fact, are directly practicable. Presenting, selling, negotiating, delivering - you can practice them all!

Maybe we can't expect all people to achieve greatness, it’s just too demanding. But the striking, liberating news is that being exceptional isn't reserved for the few. It is available to you and to everyone, and this is what I will be exploring with you at the ‘FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010’.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Pete Cohen

Pete’s session will be taking place on September 22, 11.30am at Leisure Industry Week 2010. For further information about Pete Cohen please visit www.petecohen.com.

The FIA talks to Georgina Jupp from CK Academy ahead of LIW 2010

As the FIA continue to count down the days until Leisure Industry Week 2010 (21st - 23rd September, NEC Birmingham), it has invited some of its key speakers at this years 'FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010' to provide an quick taster of what to expect from their seminars.

The FIA is pleased to be joined this week by Georgina Jupp, Managing Director at CK Academy. Georgina is here to provide an insight into her background and forthcoming customer care session at the 'FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010'. 



Georgina's session will be taking place on September 22, 10.30am at Leisure Industry Week 2010. For further information about Georgina and CK Academy please visit www.ckacademy.co.uk.