Record Attendance for revamped Australian Fitness & Health Expo

A change in focus has proved successful for the 2010 Australian Fitness & Health Expo, with the revamped event seeing record trade numbers through the doors of the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre between 30th April and 2nd May.

Exhibition manager, Ashley Robertson, said the decision to expand the focus of the 2010 expo to include the health industry had paid off, with more than 15,900 trade and public in attendance.

Robertson explained that there had been early signs the event was going to break attendance records, with more than 2000 trade visitors recorded in the first two hours of the event, and an overall increase in first-day attendance of 15% on 2009.

Robertson stated "our aim going in to the 2010 event was to attract a larger audience of fitness professionals and trade buyers, and by doing so, increase the benefits to exhibitors by facilitating a more relevant and focused industry event.

"The feedback from those in the industry suggests we have achieved this."

Robertson said exhibitors had reported strong sales, with one recording more than $1 million in quotes during the first day.

Exhibitor, Emmet Williams from Creative Fitness Marketing, said the show was the busiest he had seen in the seven years the company had been exhibiting, with the turnout reinforcing the companyâs continued presence at the event.

Williams stated "it keeps growing ... and has proven to be an efficient way of catching up with existing clients and meeting new business."

New exhibitor, Zumba Fitness, was pleased with its debut show, praising the "amazing energy" that was apparent during the event.

Chief Executive, Arberto Perlman, said "Zumba is a new program in Australia and we feel very welcome to the country - partly because of the show.

"There was a lot of excitement and we were very honoured to be there."

Visitor comments were also positive with people noticing an increase in exhibitor numbers and floor space.

Many also had their expectations challenged, expressing surprise at the excellent range of exhibitors.

• "(It was) definitely better than expected. There was a good cross section (of exhibitors) and it was not just targeted to body building."
• "It was a pretty good show, and a good showcase of what the industry has to offer."
• "Bigger than last year and a good range - I've been here for four hours!"
• "Better than last year, a lot more going on."

The 2011 Australian Fitness & Health Expo will be held between 15th and 17th April 2011.

For more information go to www.fitnessexpo.com.au/

Image: Zumba exhibited for the first time at the 2010 Australian Fitness & Health Expo.

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