Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers

News Release

AFIRM and Club Solutions Announce Business Alliance

AFIRM Members To Receive Special Preferred Pricing Discounts

          SILVER SPRING, MD – February 11, 2010 – AFIRM, the Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers, and Club Solutions, one of the fitness industry’s leading publications and websites, have announced an alliance recognizing the common objectives of both organizations.

The essence of the program is that AFIRM Members will receive a 20 percent preferred pricing discount from Club Solutions. This discount will be applied to the Club Solutions Rate Card and will save money for AFIRM Members on their marketing and advertising expenses.

“AFIRM’s members are our some of our best customers,” said Club Solutions’ President Rico Francis.  “We believe fitness manufacturers deserve their own trade association and we share and support their stated mission. We’re very pleased to offer AFIRM members a value they can take to the bank.”

Club Solutionsreaches more than 24,500 readers each month and has emerged as one of the industry’s leading business publications and websites since being founded in 2003 by Francis and Shawn McDonald.

“We appreciate the support of Club Solutions,” said Chuck Leve, executive director of AFIRM. “I know they share our desire for industry growth.  We look forward to working more closely with Rico and his team to deliver quantifiable benefits to AFIRM members and the fitness industry.”

Francis and McDonald will be on hand to discuss details of the program at the AFIRM Launch Reception on March 11 in San Diego (6:30-8:00 p.m.; Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, located directly across the street from the San Diego Convention Center).

AFIRMMembers: If you would like to contact Club Solutions to find out more about its marketing and advertising solutions and the 20 percent special-preferred pricing discounts, please contact Rico Francis, President of Club Solutions -- 770-424-4092 (phone) or at Rico@clubsolutionsmagazine.com (email).

In other AFIRM news….

Industry Leaders Step Up To Move AFIRM Forward

AFIRMhas named its steering committee, a group of illustrious industry executives who are volunteering their time to lead AFIRM in its formative stage. The group includes:

• John Aglialoro, CEO, Cybex International
• John Bauduin, CEO, Mad Dogg Athletics
• Claudio Bellini, CEO, Technogym USA
• Randy Bergstedt, VP Marketing, Star Trac
• Chris Clawson, CEO, Johnson HealthTech/Matrix
• Michael Rojas, CEO, Iron Grip Barbell Company

“We appreciate the time and dedication these industry leaders are giving to their peers,” said Leve. “These people are passionate about our mission and the potential impact AFIRM can have in the market place.”

The Steering Committee’s primary role is to provide AFIRM with industry perspectives and guidance until a formal Board of Directors election can be held.

AFIRMPurchases Augie’s Bash Sponsorship

Supporting ALS Cause Recognizes Contributions of All Industry Manufacturers

Though barely two months old, AFIRM has spent some of its first, and precious few, marketing dollars to become a “Liberty Sponsor” at Augie’s Bash – the annual fund-raiser for the ALS Division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

“The expenditure is totally consistent with AFIRM, our message, and the heritage of fitness manufacturing,” said Leve. “Without Augie Nieto’s contributions, we’d all be in a lesser place.”

The Bash, held annually in conjunction with the IHRSA Convention & Trade Show, is March 12 in San Diego. Click here to find out more.

AFIRM Website Evolving – Check Out www.afirmfitness.org

www.afirmfitness.org, launched on January 28, has already gone through substantial visual and informational changes in its two weeks of life.  Viewers are encouraged to visit the site regularly to make sure they are up to date on AFIRM programs, products, and services.

“We’ve added new sections, new content, and continued to evolve the design,” said Leve.  “It’s still a work in progress, but there’s always something new being added.”

AFIRM encourages you to access its website and provide feedback so that the site’s content and design can continue to evolve into the best possible communications vehicle for fitness manufacturers.

For further information about AFIRM, please contact:

Chuck Leve, Executive Director
AFIRM - Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers
8505 Fenton St., Suite 211
Silver Spring, MD 20910

847-480-1818 x5599 (office)
847-204-7240 (cell)
cleve@afirmfitness.org

www.afirmfitness.org

About AFIRM

The Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers (AFIRM) is dedicated to developing benefits, products, and services specifically for fitness industry manufacturers and retailers. AFIRM will address fitness industry issues, help raise revenue and reduce expenses on behalf of its members, lobby Congress for pro-fitness legislation, and develop appropriate research.  AFIRM will disseminate information through educational events, it will publish a bi-weekly newsletter for its constituents, and it plans to launch its website in March of 2010.

About SGMA

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry.  SGMA helps lead the sports and fitness industries by fostering participation through research, thought leadership, product promotion, and public policy.  More information about SGMA membership and SGMA's National Health Through Fitness Day can be found at www.SGMA.com.