August/September 2004

The World of Fitness
Toronto 2004

There was something in the air at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on the morning of Thursday August 19th. You could describe it as an intangible anticipation, an undertone of eagerness mixed with high expectations, all of which doesn’t quite do it justice. Clearly Can-Fit-Pro had some unfinished business from 2003. The cobwebs of SARS and the largest blackout in Ontario forced Can-Fit-Pro to look forward to this event from the moment last year’s conference was over. Even though SARS and the blackout were completely out of Can-Fit-Pro’s control, we knew that last year’s event, while memorable, was a challenge to get through. Can-Fit-Pro was out to make a point this year; beyond surviving last year, we would show the fitness industry this year that not only were we prepared, but we were pumped to show we were back bigger and better than ever.

THURSDAY
Every year, the Thursday of the conference weekend has two components, the set-up of the trade show and the pre-conference events that provide delegates with the opportunity to partake in longer duration, intensive sessions designed to deliver in depth information in a specific area. With more pre-cons than ever before, we had a record number of individuals participate in sessions hosted by Twist Conditioning, Human Kinetics, Body Training Systems, International Society of Yoga Education, Fitness Source, National Fitness, Resist-a-Ball, Schwinn and STOTT Pilates™.

While these dedicated delegates worked their way though their pre-cons, the trade show staff and exhibitors were busy behind closed doors setting up the largest trade show in the Canadian Fitness industry. With almost 1000 booths, it contained the latest and best the industry has to offer from equipment, supplements, books, videos, software, apparel, and education. If it exists in the fitness industry, it was likely at the Can-Fit-Pro trade show. The set-up takes over 24 hours to transform what can best be described as an empty concrete box into a carpeted, lush, oasis of information, technology and power beyond compare. If you have anything to do with the fitness industry, this is the trade show you have to be at.

Simultaneously, tireless Volunteer Team leaders and Volunteers were getting everything ready for the weekend’s onslaught of energetic fitness instructors and personal trainers wanting to try out the latest in training techniques and equipment. With a team of over 20 Team Leaders and almost 500 Volunteers, this virtual army of support literally creates this event, pulling together thousands of pieces of equipment, securely inventoried and distributed to the rooms waiting to display them. An integral part of this event, it goes without saying that Can-Fit-Pro Toronto could not exist without them. Thank you to all of our Team Leaders and Volunteers!

The Kick Off
Friday is always the busiest day of the weekend, with more going on this day than any other day of the conference weekend. With most of our 6000 delegates and visitors converging on the registration desk on Friday morning, pandemonium is always held at bay by the registration team of staff and volunteers, not to mention the good nature of the delegates. With shorter wait times this year due to a reorganization of line-ups (based on the constructive feedback of a past delegate), the lines ran smoothly with almost no hitches along the way. With the desk open at 6:00 AM, poised to be open for almost 12 hours on Friday alone, this group of staff and volunteers were incredible.

Friday morning also marks the official opening ceremonies of the conference and included a host of incredible announcements and awards. Kicked off by an uplifting performance by Culture Shock, the delegates were primed for the rest of the ceremonies. M.C. Darin Dieterich introduced all the speakers including Can-Fit-Pro’s President David Patchell-Evans, Education Director Maureen Hagan, Executive Director Rod Macdonald, and Certification Director Janice Hutton. Announcements included the introduction of Can-Fit-Pro member health benefits (see the Can-Fit-Pro update for more details), certification news and the launch of our new Can-Fit-Pro Business Rewards Membership.

This year’s presenter of the year awards went to:
Geoff Bagshaw (Canadian Presenter of the Year)
Mindy Mylrae (International Presenter of the Year)
Lawrence Biscontini (Specialty Presenter of the Year)
Sheldon Persad (New Presenter of the Year)

All award winners were gracious in their acceptance speeches and were pleased to be recognized for their contribution to the industry. These unique and talented individuals are examples of what our industry is made of and what we can all aspire to represent.

To cap off the incredible, high energy opening ceremonies, delegates were in awe of the spectacular keynote address delivered by Robin Sharma, the best-selling author of The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari, and his message of finding balance and connecting with what’s most important in life. All in attendance were moved both by what he said and how he seemed to reach each of the audience members in their own way.

For the delegates, the balance of Friday was full of incredible sessions and visits to the trade show for the requisite shopping and networking. With 23 sponsors and almost 200 companies represented in the trade show filling in the almost 1000 booths, there was something for everyone and the only challenge was trying to get around to everything! The industry’s top suppliers were inundated with shoppers in the form of information hungry personal trainers, fitness instructors and club owners looking for the best deals in the country.

The Weekend
Saturday was action packed as well, setting the ground work for an incredible sequel to the standard set by Friday’s offerings. Delegates seemed hungry for more of the same incredible presenters and sessions, along with some that were not there on Friday. Between the action of active sessions and the mental intensity of the lectures, it didn’t matter if you were a beginner or an advanced fitness professional; there were over 350 sessions to choose from and over 125 presenters from all over the world.

All Good Things…
While we would like to continue the conference all year round, all good things must come to an end. With the sun rising on Sunday, we knew we were just hours away from the completion of another successful event. With the end in sight, there was no letting up as the Can-Fit-Pro presenter team strove to deliver a finale that would leave the delegates on a high note. By the time all was said and done, delegates left with brains swollen from new knowledge, and muscles pleasantly sore from the intense activity of practical sessions.

Some say what sets Can-Fit-Pro’s Toronto conference apart from anything else in the world are the delegates, some say it’s the trade show, yet others say it’s the volunteers and team leaders and still others claim it’s the roster of incredible presenters. Arguably, they are all correct, but one thing is clear: while there are other fitness shows out there, there’s nothing like the camaraderie and energy that you get when you come to Can-Fit-Pro Toronto. The spirit of the show transcends one person or group, it is the combination of all these components along with the knowledge that together we are all creating a better place for ourselves and our children through exercise, vitality and good health.

With the biggest and best show we have ever produced just behind us, we are looking ahead to next year’s show and the incredible line-up already in the works. With Patch Adams as our keynote speaker and some surprises we can’t tell you about just yet, make sure you book the weekend of August 18-21, 2005 for the only show that’s going to be better than Can-Fit-Pro 2004…Can-Fit-Pro 2005! See you there!

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