Managing a team of group fitness instructors or personal trainers can be challenging, to say the least. This preconference offering will delve into the topics that are most common to managers of both groups, as well as provide individual breakout sessions in order for each manager to get information that is specific to the group he/she is currently leading. To enhance the experience, IDEA has arranged a special lunch hour that is designed for networking and just plain fun. You’ll walk away with great ideas to encourage team building and staff networking at home. We invite owners, managers and aspiring directors to take part in this special preconference offering. In addition, IDEA is happy to announce that each participant will receive a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION upon the conclusion of this special day. Note: Box lunch provided.

Do your members use words like “quality” and “value” when describing their experience at your club or studio? What is their overall perception of what your organization has to offer? This full-day preconference for program directors and fitness managers will delve into the special elements that go into creating and running programs that will resonate with your members while enhancing the bottom line.

8:45–8:55am
Welcome Address

BREAKOUTS
9:00–10:30am

GROUP EXERCISE DIRECTORS
How Valuable is Your Group Exercise Program?
Bob Esquerre, MA
The impact of group exercise programming on member retention is well documented. Do you know how valuable your program is to your club? Learn how to measure its worth and run it like a profitable business. Make a bigger impact on both revenue and retention through the classes you offer. Strengthen your programming, boost member participation and increase the overall value of group exercise to the business. Run a lean, mean and profitable group X machine!

PERSONAL TRAINER MANAGERS
Managing With Intention
Darren Jacobson
Purposeful management is critical when working with a team made up of several different personalities. This session will explore five common mistakes managers make when setting goals and interacting with their staff. In addition, we will pinpoint five strategies for identifying risk, effecting change, recruiting with confidence and gaining recognition for staff that is consistent and credible. Managers of all experience levels will walk away with information and tools that can be used right away.

10:40–11:40am

ALL MANAGERS

Hiring and Training for Customer Service
Shayne Kohn, MS
If you are responsible for hiring and training fitness staff, then you will not want to miss this session! Focus will be placed on basic interviewing techniques that are uniquely designed to find qualified individuals who are customer service oriented. In addition, we will discuss specialized training techniques that can be employed to enhance the customer service skills of your current staff. Finally, managers will see how enhanced customer relations can affect the bottom line and member retention.

11:45am–1:00pm

Lunch and Speed Networking
Jackie Camborde and Christy Taylor
Grab your lunch and let the fun begin! We have a special treat in store for you. You’ve heard of speed dating? Well, how about speed networking! Let’s face it, in today’s competitive fitness market, networking skills are critical to your success, yet this is an area in which many lack essential skills. Most of us simply haven’t been presented with the right “tools” to network effectively. In this fun, highly-interactive session, you will learn how to make the most of every opportunity you encounter. Join us for this wild, musical chairs approach to networking with confidence!

BREAKOUTS
1:05–2:35pm

GROUP EXERCISE DIRECTORS
But I Want It! Making the Most of a Limited Group Exercise Budget
Shannon Fable
Do you have a limited fitness budget? So many toys, so little money! Learn simple tips to determine whether or not you really need that new toy. Then look at a fail-proof evaluation process to ensure you won’t end up with buyer’s remorse. We’ll discuss easy ways to justify the need for new equipment (and training!) with business language that your general manager is sure to understand. This lecture is sure to provide you with the tools to make the best decisions possible!

PERSONAL TRAINER MANAGERS
Driving the Bottom Line
Darren Jacobson
As program directors, fitness managers and club owners, do we fully understand the role and responsibility of our personal training department and the real impact they can have in our facilities? We will take a look at various business models and the potential impact they can have on the bottom line and on the personal training service center. In addition, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each model and brainstorm ways to bring personal training to the masses. Lastly, we will review critical systems, structures and controls to keep your personal training department moving in the right direction.

BREAKOUTS
2:45–4:05pm

GROUP EXERCISE DIRECTORS
Building Your Brand in the Community
Amy Boone Thompson
Create excitement and curiosity around your group exercise programming. We will cover outreach strategies, partnership opportunities and word-of-mouth campaigns that don’t need a budget. Build your reputation as a leader in fitness and bring them in to experience the fun!

PERSONAL TRAINER MANAGERS
Strategic Planning for Personal Training Managers
Krista Popowych
Excellent programming doesn’t just happen. Those managers who take the time and expend the effort in strategic planning will find their programs in demand. Participants will be presented with a 16-week, 10-step plan for program success. In addition, we will discuss how to identify successful endeavors, develop marketing plans that are easy to use, and acquire marketing tools and materials that are effective and inexpensive. This system will take the guesswork out of the “when,” “how,” and “what ifs” of programming!

4:15–5:15pm

ALL MANAGERS

Managing a Quality-Driven Business or Program
Helen Vanderburg
We all know that quality is the name of the game in the service business. However, it isn’t as easily achieved as one might think. How is quality defined in our business? Does my program meet and exceed the expectation of quality in the fitness industry? How is it managed? Whether you manage a club, a department, or a very small staff, you will get the tools you need to manage a quality-driven business that will lead to long-term success.