Intense, Exhilarating Four Days at IHRSA Institute
Posted: August 19, 2016 in IHRSA
The IHRSA Institute
BOSTON, MA – On August 2-5, nearly 100 health club professionals descended on the picturesque University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill campus for the IHRSA Institute, Executive Education for Club Professionals, sponsored by Core Health & Fitness, MINDBODY, NASM and SPRI.
With the aim of encouraging in-depth high-level conversations and fostering long-term networking among participants and faculty, The Institute immersed attendees in the skills necessary to run a club successfully. Participants and faculty were able to deep-dive on topics from sales to finance, network during meals and cocktail hours, share business experiences and strategies during roundtable discussions, and bond during daily early-morning workouts. Institute photos and session highlights are available at ihrsa.org/blog/category/ihrsa-institute
“I am walking away with an even better understanding of our industry and a revived passion to challenge myself and our club,” said Rob Wise of Merritt Athletic Club. “Each seminar isn’t designed to provide you with the answer, but to help you think about the challenges in a different way and ultimately to improve your leadership within your club and team. I would absolutely recommend the IHRSA institute to any colleague or industry contacts!”
Paul Begley of West Wood Club added, “It is an intense and exhilarating four days with the knowledge gained impacting directly on your bottom line.”
The opening keynote on “The Innovator’s Method” was delivered by Christopher Bingham, Ph.D., professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
“There’s a fundamental tension in organizations between efficiency, on one hand, and flexibility, on the other hand,” Bingham said. “Efficiency is about exploitation, but you also need to explore, otherwise you won’t have a future. You need to be efficient so you can make payroll and grow, but you also need to be flexible and innovate.”
During the closing keynote, “Communicating with Executive Presence,” Heidi Schultz, Ph.D, clinical professor of management and corporate communication at Kenan-Flagler, shared several exercises that health club professionals can use to communicate with confidence in high-stake situations.
“The greatest ROI is an investment in yourself and your leadership skills,” said Brent Gallagher of Avenu Fit. He added, “The Institute challenges you to go deep, to redefine your definition of success and what it means for you, your team and your facility. The Institute is the path to become the leader you’ve always wanted to be.”
Other faculty included: Jay Ablondi, IHRSA executive vice president of global products; Amy Bantham, MS, MPP, IHRSA vice president of health promotion and health policy; Luke Carlson, CEO of Discover Strength; Rick Caro, president of Management Vision, Inc; Brent Darden, CEO of Brent Darden Consulting; Helen Durkin, J.D., IHRSA executive vice president of global public policy; Allison Flatley, COO of Corporate Fitness Works; Frank Furness, author and consultant, Frank Furness & Associates; Alan Leach, regional manager of West Wood Clubs; Bill McBride, president and CEO of Active Sports Clubs & BMC3; Kevin McHugh, COO of The Atlantic Club; Mark Miller, vice president of Merritt Athletic Clubs; Linda Mitchell, director of public relations and community partners for Newtown Athletic Club; and Denise Ryan, professional trainer & author, FireStar.
