All I want for Christmas….

With Christmas fast approaching, you may be surprised to hear that the Flame Awards are at the top of my priority list and indeed many of the Industry’s finest!

There’s just a final few days to take advantage of the discounted early bird entry fee so clubs are busy finalising their entry forms, hopeful to remain in the competition until that adrenaline-fuelled final stage – the Flame Awards Ceremony on 13th July 2011; where the winners will be crowned!

Flame began over 15 years ago, born out of a need to recognise those in our industry that are a beacon of Fitness Leadership and Management Excellence.

Over the years, winners have varied and competition has heightened – turning the Flame Awards into the most prestigious and desired in the industry!

Attending some site visits last year (which take place in Stage 2 of the assessing process), it was staggering to experience the intricate planning that sites put into their assessment day. The motivation, energy, eagerness to please and sheer pride is absolutely phenomenal – you really have to admire the professionalism of our assessors that are forced to compare these clubs and not come to the conclusion that everybody should be a winner! With standards so high across all entrants, every single point really does count…

Dawn Spink, 2010 Flame Winner for Club of the Year, The Valley Health & Fitness at EIS Sheffield said:

“Winning was a great achievement for us and the fitness team at EIS. We were short listed the year before, but winning last year showed just how much we improved – enough to win!

After receiving feedback from the Flame assessors, we improved our programme cards by working with head office to change the format. By getting to the final, we learned from the customer satisfaction surveys to improve on our more social aspects and now we do member football tournaments! We have also implemented classes into our timetable; things like outdoor military fitness classes.

My advice to hopefuls is to keep trying and really motivate your team. Make it the best time it can be by including the members, making sure they know it’s their gym, not yours and therefore a reward for both of your hard work!”

So, what are you waiting for? Send me your entry form now!

Merry Christmas,

Hayley Bevan, Events & Sponsorship Manager at the FIA
Email: Hayley@fia.org.uk