The 2014 Health & Fitness Business Expo is a week away, taking place between 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Pacific time), Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 10-11, in the South Pacific Ballroom at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
As in past years, the show will run alongside the Interbike event with crossover for the some of the fitness cycling and training markets.
While HFB is relatively small at about 70 exhibitors (see the latest full list below), it is the nation’s only event to solely focus on the retail fitness industry versus the larger commercial and club markets found at IHRSA and Club Industry.
Top fitness equipment and accessory brands such as Octane, Bodycraft, Nautilus, BH North America and GoFit, along with HFB newcomers like Gluteforce, Fitneff and Tiger Tail will exhibit their latest new products to fitness specialty retailers at the show.
Notably absent at this year’s event, however, are some big hitters, including Life Fitness, Precor and Johnson Fitness, which are not attending due to scheduling conflicts, HFB officials said.
“We are in communication with them about finding ways to work together in 2015, and are confident that we can find ways to work together moving forward,” HFB Director of Communications Justin Gottlieb told SNEWS.
It’s no secret that the show has had to deal with a shrinking specialty retail fitness sector, which only recently returned to growth — as exhibited in SNEWS’ annual FitBiz reports — albeit with somewhat slower gains than hoped, mimicking the overall economy.
That being said, those in attendance will benefit from the niche focus of the retail fitness industry on the HFB floor, plus can take advantage of the larger Interbike show next door, including numerous “industry neutral” education sessions to help businesses grow. Gottlieb suggested HFB show goers check out at least these three:
>> Curtivating Greatness in Your Employees and Your Business - Patrick Schwertfeger - 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10.
>> The Seven Deadly Sins of Selling to Women - Bridget Brennan, CEO, Female Factor - 12:30-2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11.
>> Entitlement Marketing is Dead; Engagement Retailing Lives On - Mike Consentino, owner of Big Peach Running Company in Atlanta, Ga. - 2:30-4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11.
Also not to miss is the HFB Industry Party and Happy Hour, taking place from 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10 at The Border Grill restaurant at Mandalay Bay.
SNEWS Fitness will be at HFB covering both days of the show and interviewing brands and retailers about their latest new products and trend observations. Want to send us info before the show? Reach out to us at [email protected].
2014 Health & Fitness Business Expo Exhibitor List and Booth # (as of Sept. 1)
3G Cardio — H627
AB Coaster - H602
Accufitness - H616
Ball Bounce And Sport - H333
Beijing Taxing Tianji Technology Development - H535
BH North America - H405
Body Solid Inc - H105
Bodycraft - H223
*Cambelle LTD - H329
Cascade Health and Fitness LLC - H114
CIEC Overseas Co., LTD - H533
CIRRUS Fitness - H428
Dr. Fuji/Acigi Relaxation - H725
Fenghua Xinguo Sports Balls Factory - H632
First Degree Fitness - H133
Fitmax – iPool - H722
*Fitneff Inc. - H334
Fitness Master Inc - H113
*G2 Healthcare - H132
*GluteForce - H713
Grand Amos Products Co. Ltd - H128
Green Series Fitness - H626
Grip Pro Trainer - H618
Health & Beauty Connection - H332
HealthCare International Inc. - H423
Helix Company - H500
Hoist Fitness - H217
Humane Manufacturing LLC - H523
Infotrade Media Co Ltd - H120
Inspire Fitness - H605
Landice Inc. - H411
Lifespan - H517
Merrithew Health & Fitness - H527
Mueller Sports Medicine - H200
Nautilus, Inc. - H427
Octane Fitness - H505
Power Plate - H226
Power Systems, Inc. - H202
PowerBlock Inc. - H622
Powertec Inc. - H623
Prism Fitness Group - H731
RAGE Fitness - H233
Regupol America - H721
*Rhino Roller - H222
*Ropeflex - H715
Rumble Roller/STI - H104
SBA Global Logistic Services - H327
Seeds Innovative Design Inc - H123
*SKLZ - H211
SNEWS - H433
Sof Solutions - H119
SPRI - H417
*Square, Inc. - H724
Stamina Products, Inc. - H311
Stingray International Ltd. - H124
Sunny Distributor Inc. - H108
Supermats Inc. - H323
Tag Fitness - H705
Teeter Hang Ups - H302
*Tiger Tail USA - H218
Torque Fitness - H633
True Fitness - H317
Tuff Stuff Fitness Equipment - H205
USA Sports Inc & Troy Barbell - H422
Vectra Fitness - H615
Water Rower Inc. - H305
Well Mart Merit Co. Ltd - H122
Xiamen Efit Sports Co LTD - H533
*Zen Planner - H101
* New exhibitors