Shortly before witnessing the unveiling of the new Schwinn cycle, I take some time to chat with Alan Vickers, new MD of Nautilus, who shares his thoughts on the health club industry and what lies ahead for Nautilus in 2009. I'm sure that Alan's experience in strategic roles with global brands like Nike and Reebok, will stand Nautilus in good stead for the future.
Saturday 21 March 2009
Early morning Krank for LIW
Jonathan Monks, Tom Hammond, Jeff Davis and Jon Johnson, join Jonny G for an early morning Krank cycle. Jonny's passion and vision for the industry was inspiring and having worked out for 30 minutes on it I can assure you that it provides an effective CV and upper body workout!
Krank Cycle launch @ IHRSA 2009
In true American style, the Jonny G (inventor of spinning) Krank Cycle is launched at IHRSA 2009 alongside Matrix. Who would bet against this innovative, flexible, complimentary and inclusive fitness equipment becoming a central feature of health clubs all over the world?
Creative Fitness Partying
St Patricks day fun, lead by the Creative Fitness Marketing boys on the FIA boat party at IHRSA 2009 in San Francisco...
Monday 2 March 2009
Three shows for the coin op market - surely not?
Following ATEI earlier this year we highlighted an interesting market situation regarding trade shows for the coin op and amusement markets. Scroll down to 30th January to see chapter one!
Last week this story took another twist at a meeting organised by BACTA, held in Birmingham and attended by BACTA members/ATEI exhibitors. The outcome of this meeting was for BACTA to seek a tenancy at ExCeL exhibition centre in east London on the same dates as ATEI in January 2010.
This will certainly be a challenge for Clarion Gaming, organisers of ATEI, to overcome but what will happen to the IGX event run by Intergame? On hearing the news Intergame’s David Snook said: "We have had some talks with BACTA's sub-committee set up to advise National Council on the new show project. We feel that there is a great deal of synergy between us. In the final analysis we must keep our promise to our exhibitors to listen to their views." This would seem to suggest that they are happy to compete with Clarion Gaming but would step aside if BACTA wish to proceed independently.
There will be twist and turns in this saga to come with all parties having the potential to take the moral high ground but who REALLY wins? Trade shows are designed to bring a marketplace together in a dynamic environment yet when there are competing events (potentially three of them in this case) those that really suffer are the visitors and exhibitors who are forced to make difficult choices while the market decides which event to support.
Long term of course the market will choose and status quo will be restored with one strong event that best serves the industry but in the meantime this situation will just add to all the other challenges this sector faces.
Last week this story took another twist at a meeting organised by BACTA, held in Birmingham and attended by BACTA members/ATEI exhibitors. The outcome of this meeting was for BACTA to seek a tenancy at ExCeL exhibition centre in east London on the same dates as ATEI in January 2010.
This will certainly be a challenge for Clarion Gaming, organisers of ATEI, to overcome but what will happen to the IGX event run by Intergame? On hearing the news Intergame’s David Snook said: "We have had some talks with BACTA's sub-committee set up to advise National Council on the new show project. We feel that there is a great deal of synergy between us. In the final analysis we must keep our promise to our exhibitors to listen to their views." This would seem to suggest that they are happy to compete with Clarion Gaming but would step aside if BACTA wish to proceed independently.
There will be twist and turns in this saga to come with all parties having the potential to take the moral high ground but who REALLY wins? Trade shows are designed to bring a marketplace together in a dynamic environment yet when there are competing events (potentially three of them in this case) those that really suffer are the visitors and exhibitors who are forced to make difficult choices while the market decides which event to support.
Long term of course the market will choose and status quo will be restored with one strong event that best serves the industry but in the meantime this situation will just add to all the other challenges this sector faces.
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