IHRSA 2017 Learnings From Matt Wright of Healthtrax

IHRSA 2017

 

As a first time attendee and speaker at IHRSA, the event was everything I could expect and more.  There were many takeaways from the conference, but if I had to sum them up in the 3 learnings that stuck out the most, it looks like this:

  1. Technology and social media are no longer something we should consider doing, rather it’s something all clubs should make a priority.  Whether it’s wearables, online integration via social media or gamification to build communities, it allows the members to form tribes and establish an accountability network.  It also incorporates my number one important component to exercise which is a little competition and fun!
  2. As leaders, we are stepping outside of our industry to learn more about how to best serve our members from an employee and product stand point to strive for member loyalty.  We see it in organizations like Disney and Starbucks, but it’s important that we adapt the successes that they have seen.  If we make the shift from customer service to customer experience, it will create a better product for both the members and our teams.
  3. The best conversations hands down happen in the hallways in between sessions. The greater we build our network and learn from one another, the better we can serve our teams and our members.  That’s an impact we can put no weight on.

Summary

What I love the most about IHRSA is it allows someone like me to meet, learn, and educate other professionals from around the world.  It’s a once a year event and it’s one that I will never miss for sure.


Active Management Note

Thanks Matt for your contribution as a guest blogger on the IHRSA Conference 2017.  Matt is the Seniors Fitness Director of Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness and at IHRSA was announced as an IHRSA Rising Star.  You can hear Matt explain how to get the most from your fitness team in show 86 of the Fitness Business Podcast