» Canadian Forum


Conventions & Trade Shows are the Top Resource


BY JOE MOORE


them be more successful. This past November, we hired an outside research firm to conduct a sur- vey of club opera- tors. Respondents were from around the globe, with strong representation from Canada. According to the


I


survey, the reasons for joining a trade asso- ciation such as IHRSA haven’t changed much since 2005, when


we conducted the President’s Silver Anniversary Commission Report: peo- ple want access to industry informa- tion, to network and learn from peers, to promote activity, and access to tools for staff education.


38 Fitness Business Canada January/February 2017


HRSA is always interested in what is on the minds of those working on the day-to-day tactical side of our business, because it helps us supply the benefits that can help


The Fitness Industry Council of


Canada should be pleased to learn that interest in public policy ranked high in this latest survey. Respondents told us that they were keen to:


• learn about issues that affect their businesses


• support the industry • support efforts to promote physical activity


• be part of something bigger than themselves


They also told us about their chal- lenges, which include:


• competition • hiring qualified staff • member retention • increasing costs


While these above challenges likely


come as no surprise to you, there are valuable resources available that can help you to combat them. According to our research, the most


highly valued resources to club opera- tors are:


• conferences and trade shows • industry news and best practices • member retention research and tools


• marketing tools and resources Fortunately, the resources that clubs


need align with IHRSA’s content chan- nels. We help club operators by provid- ing both ideas on club programming and resources for hiring and staffing, which in turn aid in member retention. Over half of the respondents to our


survey listed trade shows as the top resource for industry news. IHRSA’s International Convention & Trade Show will be back in Los Angeles in March with attendance expected to total over 8,000. The trade show is an ideal place to network and learn more about industry trends, whether you own one club or a multi-club chain. I have always believed that those who attend leave with a competitive advan- tage. FBC


Joe Moore is the president and CEO of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.


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