HF Biz show events will keep you busy

Even if you usually only go to the Health & Fitness Business Expo & Conference — in Denver, Aug. 7-9 — to cruise the expo floor and check out new and redesigned products, keep an eye on other events and talks.

Morning events
Each morning, for example, there will be a talk or panel discussion from 8:30 to 10 a.m., prior to the show’s opening at 10 a.m.
>>The Aug. 7 keynote, “Drawing Your Line in the Sand on Price,” will be given by Doug Comstock. It is expected to focus on how retailers can create an atmosphere that translates into loyal customers who, in turn, aren’t afraid to buy big-ticket items. Attendees can enter a raffle sponsored by Bodycraft to win $500 cash, to be drawn at the Bodycraft booth immediately following the talk.
>>On Aug. 8, a panel discussion will be held with the title, “Multisports vs. Specialty Retail: Where is specialty fitness headed?”
>>On Aug. 9, a talk by American Sports Data guru Harvey Lauer will discuss “The American Fitness Revolution: Past, Present and Future.”

Although this show doesn’t typically do early morning workouts for attendees to get some exercise and test equipment, True Fitness is sponsoring a morning session on Aug. 8 at 7:30 a.m. to demonstrate the new home model of its TrueStretch piece. It will be run by Katherine Roberts, who is founder of the Yoga for Golfers program.

Autograph Session
New company Rist-Lok, which is debuting a wrist stabilization device, has scheduled an autograph session with professional bodybuilder Lisa Marie Bickels on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. She will sign autographs and pose for pictures. Want an early peek. Go ahead: www.lisamariebickels.com/bio.html [Note that she states her marital status as single (!)].

Product unveiling
Although we know there are a lot of new products coming to the show (see our story from July 28), one company has decided to take a rather secretive tack. Prospot has kept its new equipment very quiet, but will unveil it for all on Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. in its booth. Same concept, but edging on a different category, SNEWS was told.

Parties 
Now, now, we can’t tell you about the off-the-record and “private” parties being held, but don’t miss the official one, sponsored by Spri and SportsArt America. On Aug. 7, head over to the Wynkoop Brewery for some beer, billiards, a few munchies and a rambunctious couple of hours (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.). Yes, that’s the same place it was last year.