Feb 1, 2008 12:00 PM

The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association expects attendees from around the world at its 27th annual International Convention and Trade Show in San Diego.

With the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Laguna Mountains to the east, the Anza-Borrega Desert to the north and Mexico to the south, San Diego is a beautiful city with ample opportunities for recreation and fitness, making it the perfect setting for the 27^th annual International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association's (IHRSA) International Convention and Trade Show.

This is the first time the show has been held in San Diego in nearly a decade. The change in location and the conference's motto — IHRSA 2008: The One for All — signals an emphasis on a more global and inclusive event, says Joe Moore, IHRSA president and CEO.

“With such a variety of attendees, from operators of small studios, innovative franchises and every variety of independent club operation, they gather for one reason,” Moore says in a statement, “to make the world a healthier place through regular exercise.”

This year's event will draw more than 12,000 attendees and more than 400 exhibiting companies, according to IHRSA spokesperson Rosemary Lavery. The show begins Wednesday, March 5, and runs through Saturday, March 8, at the San Diego Convention Center, which is located across the street from San Diego's popular Gaslamp Quarter that houses more than 125 restaurants, coffee houses and nightclubs.

IHRSA 2008 will feature a number of special events. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, Bob Woodruff, ABC News anchor and reporter, will give the keynote titled “In an Instant.” Woodruff will recount his own personal experiences and perspectives on career and family after surviving a roadside bomb attack that struck his vehicle while reporting near Taji, Iraq.

From 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7, global business visionary Kjell Nordström will give the second keynote titled “Funky Business.” Nordström will address the importance of being different and creative.

“Kjell Nordström brings us a ‘funky’ look at how to achieve business success,” Moore says. “A global top-10 rated management thinker, his presentation on ‘Funky Business’ has generated worldwide raves as he takes an irreverent look at an important topic — how to compete successfully.”

Feature presentations at IHRSA 2008 include Dick Vitale's “The Game of Life” from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, and Ronald Davis' “Improving the Health of the Nation Through Policy, Lifestyle and Treatment.” Vitale, a well-known college basketball analyst, will share his secrets for tackling problems with optimism. Presented by the American Journal of Health Promotion (which is holding sessions in conjunction with IHRSA 2008), Davis' presentation will focus on his experience as a doctor and president-elect of the American Medical Association.

The show also features multiple opportunities for networking. Attendees and suppliers can mingle while enjoying entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at the opening reception from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

Attendees are also invited (pre-registration required, plus an additional fee) to attend The Beach Bash for Augie's Quest to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS research program from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 7. In March 2005, Augie Nieto, who co-founded Lifecycle Inc. (now known as Life Fitness Inc.), was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Natalie Morales of “The Today Show” will emcee the fundraiser, and all attendees are encouraged to wear their best surfing attire for a true California experience.

Because a growing number of IHRSA 2008 attendees come from outside the United States, IHRSA is offering an International Club, a place for world travelers to relax, have meetings, mingle and check their e-mail. The conference will also offer a series of educational sessions that will be simultaneously translated into a variety of languages, including Spanish and French.

The trade show floor will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 6; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 7; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. The floor will also be open for early morning workouts and classes from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8.

This year's show features 11 educational tracks, including a series of sessions that focus on how to help your club go green by becoming more environmentally conscious. Certification examinations and workshops will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.

Atendees can end the show on a fun note, by attending the IHRSA 2008 farewell barbecue (pre-registration required, additional fee applies) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. The relaxed outdoor barbecue will give all attendees a final chance to mingle and network, and — most importantly — one last dose for all to enjoy the San Diego sun.

IHRSA 2008 Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 5
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Certification examinations and workshops
8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.	Concurrent sessions
10:30 a.m. - noon	Tax-exempt competition forum
10:30 a.m. - noon	Concurrent sessions
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.	Feature Presentation, session topic and speaker to be determined
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.	Concurrent sessions
5 p.m. - 6 p.m.	Keynote: “In an Instant,” Bob Woodruff, ABC News anchor and reporter
8 p.m. - 10 p.m.	IHRSA 2008 opening reception
Thursday, March 6
6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Exercise classes
7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Networking focus groups continental breakfast
8:30 a.m. - noon	Workshops
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.	Industry leadership council meeting
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Supplier seminars
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.	IHRSA's Global Leadership Summit
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.	12th Annual IHRSA Financial Panel: “An Updated Financial Outlook on the Club Industry, ” Moderated by Rick Caro, president, Management Vision Inc.
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.	Trade show, San Diego Convention Center, halls A-F
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Concurrent interactive forums
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.	Feature presentation: “The Game of Life,” Dick Vitale, college basketball analyst, ESPN
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Concurrent interactive forums
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Regional receptions
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Planet IHRSA reception for international attendees
Friday, March 7
6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Early morning workouts and exercise classes
7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Networking focus groups continental breakfast
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.	Keynote: “Funky Business,” Kjell Nordström, global business visionary
11 a.m. - noon	Feature presentation: “Improving the Health of the Nation Through Policy, Lifestyle and Treatment,” Ronald Davis, MD, president-elect, American Medical Association
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Concurrent sessions
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.	Trade show, San Diego Convention Center, halls A-F
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Concurrent interactive forums
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Fourth annual IHRSA Technology Summit
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Concurrent interactive forums
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.	The Beach Bash for Augie's Quest, to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS research program
Saturday, March 8
6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Early morning workouts and exercise classes
7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Continental breakfast
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.	Feature Presentation, session topic and speaker to be determined
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.	Concurrent sessions
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Trade show, San Diego Convention Center, halls A-F
11 a.m. - noon	Interactive forum
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.	Interactive Forum
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.	IHRSA 2008 farewell barbecue

For more information about IHRSA 2008, go to www.ihrsa2008.org.

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