As an independent gym owner, we all know you have to be all things to all people. This versatility is something we here at the Gym Owner’s Forum love and we are always keen to hear examples!
Because whether it is managing the day-to-day operations or marketing your facility and ensuring your members are happy, as a gym owner or manager you can often find yourself playing multiple roles in a single day.
It’s easy to get caught up in the daily routines, sometimes at the risk of the bigger picture.
But a constant trend we have noticed throughout the fitness industry is that growth often occurs outside the four walls of your facility. Today, fresh from our appearance at the incredible Perform X, we will be talking about one of the most important and valuable ways to achieve growth, both personal or professional.
Today we will be covering the ins and outs of networking at Industry Events.
Perform X is a stellar example of an industry event that is more than just an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and equipment. It is a goldmine of opportunities to build relationships and gain valuable insights from some of the most talented and knowledgeable people currently working within the fitness industry. Taken as a whole, industry events, such as fitness expos, conferences and workshops are a great way to help prepare your gym for long-term success. Here’s why attending industry events and networking at them should be a top priority for gym owners and managers alike!
1. Learn from Industry Leaders and Peers
The fitness industry is renowned for innovation and constant evolution so staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Industry events bring together some of the brightest minds in the business, from successful gym owners to innovative suppliers and motivated trainers. By attending these events, you gain access to not only cutting-edge strategies and proven business models but often pure, actionable advice that you can start applying to your own gym as soon as you get back.
Networking offers the valuable chance to meet and have one-on-one conversations with gym owners who have been in your shoes and have perhaps overcome challenges similar to your own.
Whether it is advice on strategy, suppliers or tech, these insights can save you and your employees time, money and frustration, helping you avoid common pitfalls and potentially providing powerful benefits to growth
2. Industry Events Help Build Relationships and Identify Collaboration Opportunities
While we all love the flexibility that running an independent fitness facility grants you, we also know it can also be an isolating experience at points. After all, you often don’t have the built-in support systems of a large franchise or chain. So what is the solution? Well it is to create your own network of course!
That is where Industry events like Perform X come in. They are the perfect place to connect with like-minded professionals who understand your struggles and can offer support, advice and potentially even future collaboration opportunities.
For example, Perform X, based out of Birmingham NEC is a great place to meet gym owners and suppliers in the area and the wider UK. And it isn’t just facility owners and suppliers, these events are a great opportunity to link up with trainers and fitness specialists who might specialise in a niche you and your facility have been wanting to explore or invest in.
These relationships can lead to partnerships, referrals and can save massive amounts of time, energy and money. It isn’t always what you know, it is who you know. And knowing the right person at the right time can make all the difference
3. Discover New Tools, New Trends, New Talent
The fitness industry is driven by innovation and that innovation comes from individuals. Whether it is an emerging workout trend (See our blog on an adjacent subject here!) to the latest equipment and techniques.
At industry events, you have the chance to see these innovations with your own eyes, evaluate how they could benefit your facility and hear from the people in the know.
Networking with vendors, suppliers and other gym owners can also give you access to exclusive deals, discounts, knowledge or potentially early/priority access to new products and services.
Additionally, staying informed about what topics are trending in the fitness industry can help you stay competitive and attract new members.
4. Gain New Perspective
Industry events offer a valuable opportunity to step back and examine the bigger picture. We all know that when gym owners are immersed in the day-to-day operations of their gyms, it is easy to develop tunnel vision.
By engaging with professionals from different areas of the fitness industry, with their own respective niches and backgrounds, you can gain fresh perspectives, inspiration and new approaches for your business.
For instance, you might learn how a gym owner at the event is tackling their member retention issues in a way that is applicable to your own facility. Collaboration is one of the joys of our industry and these insights can spark creativity and innovation across all levels of your operation.
5. Boost Your Gym’s Visibility and Your Own Profile
But networking isn’t just about what you can gain, it’s also about what you can contribute to the community and to the industry.
By actively participating in industry events, you can raise your gym’s profile and establish yourself as a distinct entity within the local and national fitness industry and community, depending on the size of the event.
Share your successes, as well as your challenges and how you were able to overcome them. Every independent gym is slightly different and your unique approaches to running a facility might be new, interesting and revelatory to someone.
You never know who might be listening and impressed by your spiel, whether it is a potential business partner, a future employee or someone like us here at the Gym Owner’s Forum, eager for the next industry story.
More and more the attendees and talks at these events are being posted on business websites and social media. By constructively engaging with these platforms, you can increase your gym’s visibility and name recognition within the community, helping trainers, suppliers and fellow gym owners know the values of your brand and facility.
6. Walk Away Energised!
Let’s face it, running a gym can be hard work, and burnout is a real danger.
Attending industry events might sound like the last thing you fancy and we get it. But we have seen many gym owners and managers walk away revitalised and energised by these events.
It might sound a little cliche, but the right event and the right people can remind you why you started your gym in the first place. And besides, it is always nice to receive a bit of recognition.
Surrounding yourself with passionate and driven professionals can be incredibly motivating and potentially even reignite your passions. Walking away from an event with a new set of goals, a fresh system to implement or a new supplier to contact can be not only a great feeling but a genuine boost to your business.
Tips for Maximising Your Event Attendance Experiences as a Gym Owner
To make the most of industry events, it’s important to approach them in a way that is strategic but not artificial or clinical. Here are a few tips we have collected from our visits:
Set your goals -
Before attending, identify what you would like to achieve. Are you after new business ideas? Partnerships and collaborations? New suppliers or employees? Having these clear goals in your mind ahead of time will help you focus your efforts and what to look out for during the event.
Prepare -
Stock up on business cards and be ready to share your best success stories and anecdotes. Everyone at these events is going to meet a lot of other people, make it easy for them to remember you and your gym.
Follow Up -
Networking doesn’t stop when the event is over. Store those business cards and follow up with the people you meet via email or LinkedIn to develop those connections that most interest you.
And Most Importantly, Be Genuine -
Ultimately Networking is about building relationships, not just collecting contacts. People can tell if someone isn’t actually taking them seriously. If you want people to be genuinely engaged in what you are saying, be genuinely engaged in what they are saying as well.
By showing genuine interest in others you are helping forge an immediate bond. Remember, you are all at these events united by a common interest and cause. Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences and challenges and don’t be reluctant to listen to theirs.
Final Thoughts
As an independent gym owner, we inhabit a lot of roles. We have to adapt, innovate and community with others. Events like Perform X give us a unique opportunity to try and do all three. By investing time, care and resources into networking, you’ll not only gain valuable insights and tools but make valuable connections and maybe even start building or expanding a support system that can help you navigate the challenges of running a gym.
So, the next time you see an industry event on the calendar, don’t hesitate to sign up. Maybe it will change the course of your facility.
And as always, if you have had any great experiences at an event like Perform X or if you want to talk about what industry events you’ll be attending this year, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. We always love to hear from you.
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