| Editor’s Welcome |
This month, in his “First Set” column, Art Curtis, the chairperson of IHRSA’s board of directors, sets both the stage and the tone for this issue of CBI. “Now, as dusk settles upon 2011 and a new dawn rises on 2012, it’s a good time to reflect on our blessings,” he writes.
Curtis goes on to serve as a role model for such end-of-the-year introspection by discussing some of the things that he, person- ally, is grateful for. Prominent among them is the fact that the industry is once more experiencing growth. The new IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report, he points out, reveals that, between 2009 and 2010, the number of club members in the U.S. rose by more than 5 million people, a 10.5% increase. Good news—indeed! The same sort of research that yielded those particular findings—and which serves as a source from which future oppor- tunities can be mined—is represented in good measure in these pages. Melissa Rodriguez, IHRSA’s research manager and the coauthor of the Consumer Report, summarizes some of its most important findings in “Reading the Consumer’s Mind” (pg. 43) and suggests how clubs can put the information to good and profitable use.
David Van Daff, the general manager of membership and activation for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), observes that the report provides “sound research, keen insight, and an astute perspective on the fitness industry.” We couldn’t agree more. Ray Algar, the managing director of Oxygen Consulting, a U.K.-based consultancy, shares some original research of his own in “The Price
of Competition” (pg. 46). His purview is low-cost, or budget, clubs—a topic he’s covered in two critically acclaimed reports and in a presentation at IHRSA’s 11th Annual European Con- gress in Milan, Italy, in October.
Over the past few years, budget clubs have proven one of the
most dynamic and disruptive business models the industry has ever encountered, and their impact is still being accessed, their value, still actively debated. Algar’s analysis offers many answers … and raises many intriguing questions.
Next month, because we appreciate how important industry
research is, we’ll return to the subject in a feature titled “Econ- omy Notwithstanding.” In it, CBI Editor-at-large Patricia Amend will demonstrate how club operators can transform sound data into solid results and real rewards.
Curtis, in concluding his column, observed: “In many ways, 2011 has been an excellent year. Now, let’s look forward to 2012. “Have a wonderful holiday season!” If I may, I’d like to second that motion. —|
– Craig R. Waters,
c.waters@fit-etc.com 6 Club Business Internat ional | DECEMBER 2011 |
ihrsa.org ®
Club Business International (ISSN 1043-9692, USPS 766-570) is published monthly ©2011 by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, Seaport Center 70 Fargo Street, Boston, MA 02210. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at Boston, Massachusetts, and additional mailing offices. Canadian Sales Agreement #40767601.
Subscription rate for members is $48 per year, which is included in the dues. Additional subscrip- tions $24.95 per year (USA) and $75 (International).
POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Club Business International, c/o IHRSA, Seaport Center 70 Fargo Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 12
The mission of IHRSA is to grow, protect, and promote the industry, and to provide its members with benefits that will help them be more successful.
PUBLISHING Editor-In-Chief: Craig R. Waters Publisher: Jay M. Ablondi Managing Editor: Rebecca K. Maverick Editor: Jennifer H. McInerney Associate Editor: Patricia Glynn Editor-at-large: Patricia Amend
Contributing Editors: Liane Cassavoy, Jon Feld, Julie M. King, Lesley Mahoney, Melissa Rodriguez, Jean Suffin, Stephen Wallenfels, Kristen A. Walsh
ADVERTISING:
ihrsa.org/cbi E-mail:
advertising@ihrsa.org
Vice President of Advertising & Membership Sales: Michele Eynon
Senior Account Manager: Jessica Gutstein
Senior Account Executive: Donna Garrity
Business Development Publications: Will Finn
Advertising Sales Executive: Mireille Rivara
Associate Service Manager: Meghan Burnham
Art Direction, Design, Production: Holland-Mark, Boston, MA
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH, RACQUET & SPORTSCLUB ASSOCIATION
President & CEO: Joe Moore Chief Operating Officer: Anita Lawlor
Executive Vice President of Public Policy: Helen Durkin
Executive Vice President of Global Products: Jay Ablondi
CLUB BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES:
c/o IHRSA Seaport Center 70 Fargo Street, Boston, MA 02210 USA
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To order reprints of articles, call 800-228-4772 ext. 117 or visit
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Kerry Brett
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