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How to Make the Most Out of Your Fitness Center’s Grand Opening

October 17, 2016

Opening your new fitness center is an exciting time and a lot of preparation goes into making sure it goes smoothly. On the same note, a lot of preparation should also be put in to planning your fitness center’s grand opening event.

This planning should not only promote your fitness center, but the time and place where you will meet the community and potential clients face-to-face to build positive public relations. It’s also the time to show off your new fitness center and services.

Leave a lasting impression on potential clients and grab the attention of the surrounding community by following these steps:

Determine a Budget

First and foremost, you need to determine how much you can realistically spend on opening ceremonies. Once you decide on a budget, stick to it. You don’t want to spend money you need to keep your fitness center in tip-top shape. Keep in mind that your budget should also leave room for:

  • Food and beverages
  • Entertainment such as a band or DJ
  • Giveaways

Keep the End Goal in Mind

Choose all activities surrounding the event with the potential client in mind. Determine early on what you want to accomplish by the end of the grand opening. What actions do you want people to take as a result of attending this opening? Once you answer that question, planning the event will become significantly easier.

Give Tours & Demos

Most commonly, fitness center owners invite members of the community to tour the gym and test the equipment. This would also be a great time to allow community members take care of your childcare services or other amenities that you provide. Let visitors demo fitness classes at 20 minute intervals to give them a sneak-peek into training offered at your center.

Giveaways are a Must

When people come to your fitness center’s grand opening, they expect some freebies and prizes. After all, they want to get something for their time. Giving away t-shirts or other clothing, towels, or water bottles with your business name and logo creates brand recognition and a relationship with potential customers.  To encourage people to give you a try, raffle giveaways for free or discounted classes and memberships. It’s also a good time to build relationships with other businesses by raffling off gift cards to their stores.

Allow Staff to Participate

Involve your staff in the grand opening. Potential clients can meet them and begin building relationships with their future trainers. It will also serve as a trial run to teach staff how to interact with clients. During the grand opening, your staff should interact with potential clients as they would on a daily basis.

Up Next: How to Get the Word Out About Your New Fitness Center