Join us for an enlightening discussion, sponsored by SportsArt, centered around how fitness companies are creating new opportunities to make fitness more accessible. We take a deep dive into how businesses are diversifying community outreach, expanding their relationships with corporate memberships and helping more people segway into making fitness a part of their daily lives.
With expert speakers and practical takeaways, this panel discussion will give you insight and ideas to help keep your business growing in today's fitness industry.
(1:01) Introduction of Ian Casmer, Director of Sales at Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC)
(1:31) Introduction of Nick Neitzel, Director of Purchasing at Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC)
(2:07) Introduction of Ruben Mejia, Executive Vice President of SportsArt Americas
(2:33) Discussion of the expansion of accessibility of fitness
(2:46) Ruben talks about being at a hotel annual conference as SportsArt expands into hotels
(4:15) Discussion of how WAC has expanded their outreach within their community
(4:39) Ian talks about how WAC has created so many corporate relationships and expanded their network and discuss the value of a healthy workforce
(6:55) Nick talks about WAC has helped design corporate sites
(10:01) Ruben discusses the importance of creating options for individuals being able to work out both at home and at work
(10:45) Ian talks about how to create those wellness champions at corporate locations to develop corporate relationships
(13:34) Nick discusses how to create success within corporate relationships
(15:06) Discussion of how it’s crucial to create that segway into fitness to help more individuals get involved in fitness
(16:05) Ian talks about how to engage within the community and getting involved in apartment complexes and local communities
(18:07) Nick discusses how they do outreach to schools and donating equipment to local fire stations
(18:50) Discussion of how fitness is getting more involved within the housing industry
(19:10) Ruben talks about getting involved in construction companies and larger property companies to help individuals have nice gyms right in their housing community
(19:50) Discussion of how important it is to create opportunities for people to get involved in fitness
(22:02) Discussion of the evolution of where we work out and new ways to expand reach
(22:25) Ian talks about the expansion of corporate fitness and new classes and options for companies to supply fitness
(27:50) Nick gives examples of how corporate relationships has led to new business opportunities as well as fun events within their city
(31:44) Ruben discusses how SportsArt is working on the idea of fitness to someone who hasn’t heard about it, so that they have someone to go to when they’re ready to start
(32:38) Nick talks about how SportsArt is attracting new clients who is excited about utilizing equipment that gives energy back into the grid
(32:56) Ruben discusses how college students are becoming motivated by the idea of reducing tier carbon footprint by using the SportsArt equipment
(33:50) Closing remarks and where you can find each of the panel participants
Ruben Mejia
Ruben Mejia, executive vice president for SportsArt Americas, has five years of experience in the fitness industry, previously holding the title of chief technology officer. Prior to his work at SportsArt, Mejia held executive roles within the technology and ecommerce spaces. In 2000, after four years of active deployment in the military, Mejia began working in the corporate IT and telecommunication fields for the U.S. Army, launching his career and interest in the technology industry as a whole.
Ian Casmer
I started working in health clubs in 1998 starting part time in the childcare and front desk at Lifetime Fitness in Saint Paul MN, eventually moving into membership sales, which is where I found my passion and motivation to maintain a healthy way of life has lead me to turn a part time job into a career. Working for a fast growing organization provided me opportunities to be promoted from within moving into Assistant Sales Manager, Sales Manager and eventually General Manager roles. Moving to SE Wisconsin in 2009 and finding the Wisconsin Athletic Club provided me with even more opportunities to carve my own path and follow my passion which allowed me to create my own position as the Director of Sales. The Wisconsin Athletic Club has been in business since 1976, our mission is the make a difference in people’s lives and the owners have created a culture building clubs they themselves would like to be members of and that has carried over with the teams we build.
Nick Neitzel
Nick Neitzel has been in the Fitness Industry for over 30 years and over 25 of those years with the Wisconsin Athletic Clubs. He has had worn numerous hats with the organization including Personal Trainer, Fitness Director, General Manager, Community Wellness Director, and Corporate Director of Fitness just to name a few. Nick received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education with a Corporate Fitness Emphasis from UW-Oshkosh. After graduating, he worked for Quad Graphics and was their Fitness Manager for their Fitness Centers at two of their Wisconsin Plants before eventually joining the Wisconsin Athletic Clubs. With the WAC, Nick has also helped design, staff, and manage several corporate fitness centers including Kohls, Johnson Controls, Generac, and Northwestern Mutual.
Liz Rodriguez
Liz started her fitness career after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University in Exercise Science and Public Relations. She has worked as a Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor, and spent 16 years in fitness management in the Chicago, NYC and Westchester County markets. She went on to complete a Masters in Business and Administration from DePaul University to further her career and started her LLC back in 2016.
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