2019 CWA Summit
Conference Sessions
Each year the CWA convenes the industry's top presenters, who are experts in climbing gym ownership, operations, programs, and expansion. Don't miss the opportunity for growth and development with your indoor climbing industry peers! Read on to learn about what's in store for the 2019 conference, and stay tuned for ongoing additions to the content lineup.
EXPLORE THE
Click the session title to review details for each presentation offered at the 2019 CWA Summit. Stay tuned for additions and updates to the conference lineup!
Conference Track
Session Title
KEYNOTE
LEADERSHIP /
MANAGEMENT /
OPERATIONS
The 2019 Indoor Climber Survey
8 Steps to Turn Your Website Into Your Most Valuable Sales Tool
10 Ways to Grow Your Membership Revenue
Best Practices for Using The Latest Rock Gym Pro Features
"But What Does DEI Actually Mean?" Defining the what and why of diversity, equity and inclusion
CANCELLED: A Case Study on Change Management: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Cultural Leadership: The Key to Employee Engagement and Motivation
Indoor Climbing Business Expansion
Inside Out: Our Industry and the Outdoors
Join the Global Movement of People Using Business as a Force for Good
Kraft Your Brand: Smart Branding is the Key to Success
A Strategic Approach to Inventory Management
Strengthening Leadership in the Indoor Climbing Industry
STARTUPS/
BUSINESS FORMATION
FINANCE/LEGAL
Five Years later - Incident Analysis and Claim Scenario Review
Financial Management for Climbing Gyms
The Law of Employee Pay: An Introduction to the FLSA and Wage & Hour Compliance
Risk Assessment & Safety Management Model (RASM): A Comprehensive Approach for Any Organization
Systems-Based Risk Management: Simplifying It for Your Gym
COACHING/TRAINING
Purpose Driven Leadership
Presenter: Jennifer Briggs, Beyser Institute & Mosaic Creation
Conference Track: Leadership, Management/Operations
Date: Wednesday, May 15
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Every business has an opportunity to be a force for good. Becoming this force is more than creating a corporate social responsibly program. It is about aligning strategy to actions, unifying attitudes to values, and building a codetermined energy to make an impact for the business and for a purpose. This takes perseverance, fortitude, and a desire to climb again after a fall. Lessons from craft beer and New Belgium Brewing, research on conscious capitalism, and living as a B Corporation. Imagine more. Imagine different. Imagine better.
About the Presenter: Jennifer Briggs brings over two decades of practice in human resources, organizational development, and executive leadership from a variety of industries. She served as VP of Human Resources with New Belgium Brewing for 12 years, creating a winning 'best of' workplace and now serves as an educator and advisor to companies who want to redefine value in a more holistic manner. Building healthy, profitable, democratically-managed companies with shared capital ownership is her passion. She brings a non-traditional business viewpoint of relying primarily on values, communication, and community.
Jennifer is now an independent advisor to purpose-driven or employee-owned companies and a partner with GRITT Business Coaching. She is a Rutgers University Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing fellow and contributor to the Beyster Institute with the University of California San Diego. She serves on corporate boards for PFSbrands, GISinc., and Engineering Economics, Inc. She is on the advisory boards for The Moxie Exchange and participates with the Democracy at Work Institute. She holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, graduate studies in Enterprise Project Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education.
10 Ways to Grow Your Membership Revenue
Presenter: Joel Graybeal, Owner/Managing Partner, Triangle Rock Club
Conference Track: Management/Operations
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Aspen Daisy, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: The heart and soul of an indoor climbing gym's financial success should be built on membership. It's the most important revenue source for a variety of reasons. This session will explore and explain 10 proven strategies for growing monthly membership revenue for commercial indoor climbing gyms in the US.
About the Presenter: Joel Graybeal is one of the two operating Managing Partners of the Triangle Rock Club (TRC) which currently operates 3 NC locations and one in VA. A fifth TRC location comes online in 2019. In his prior "climbing gym" life, he was a banker for 25 years. Before that, he was an aerospace engineer working in the Pentagon.
Best Practices for Using The Latest Rock Gym Pro Features
Presenter: Andy Laakmann, Founder/Developer of Rock Gym Pro
Session Tags: Management/Operations, Tech, Membership, Finance
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: Aspen Daisy, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: In this session, Andy will give a demonstration of the latest Rock Gym Pro feature updates including the new Online Membership Sales System. With this tool you can now easily sell memberships online or directly from kiosks at your facility. Andy will also give an overview of other new features including: Customizable Staff Permissions, Automation Tools, SendGrid Email Templates and additional information on RGP Cloud - the new deployment option for a remotely hosted version of the software. Time will be provided at the end of the session for open Q&A.
About the Presenter: Andy is the founder and lead developer of Rock Gym Pro. He has over 20+ years of software product development experience and having launched RGP back in 2008, he is intimately familiar with the multiple challenges climbing gyms face in their day to day operations.
Prevent and Rehabilitate Climber's Elbow
Presenter: Dr. Jared Vagy, The Climbing Doctor
Session Tags: Coaching/Training
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Location: Lake Loveland, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: You will learn how to identify, prevent and treat the most common causes of elbow pain through climber case studies. Each case study starts with a video analysis of climbing movement. By watching how the climber moves, you will be able identify the risk for specific elbow injury. You will then learn a four-phase system of preventative and rehabilitative exercises for the elbow. This will take you from the pain, inflammation and tissue overload stage to gaining full mobility, strength and eventually optimal climbing movement. You can then use the same framework to identify, prevent and treat any climbing injury.
Check out Dr. Jared Vagy's pre-conference workshop for additional, in-depth training on the topic or climbing injury prevention!
About the Presenter: Dr. Jared Vagy is a climber and doctor of physical therapy (DPT). He is also a professor at the University of Southern California, the number- one-ranked doctor of physical therapy program in the country. He lectures internationally on the topic of preventing climbing injury. Dr. Jared Vagy has published numerous articles as well as two books on the topic. His most recent book, “Climb Injury-Free” is an Amazon #1 best seller in the rock climbing category.
As a DPT in clinical practice, he has completed an additional one-year residency program in orthopedics and a one-year fellowship program in movement science, totaling 9 years of concentrated study. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Prevent and Rehabilitate Climber's Elbow
Presenter: Jillian Yatsko, Founder/Adaptive and Innovative Climbing Programs, Mesa Rim Climbing Center, Inc
Session Tags: Program Management, Coaching, Diversity/equity/inclusion
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: Goldenglow, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Attendees will learn the overarching goals for adaptive and innovative climbing programs throughout the global climbing industry. We will cover language, techniques, and requirements for working with adaptive athletes. We will also cover multiple financial structures for how to make a sustainable adaptive climbing program within a for-profit climbing operation.
About the Presenter: Jillian is a climber and coach out of San Diego, California. She has spent much of her life pushing her own physical, mental and emotional comfort zones. Through her time as the founder of Mesa Rim's Adaptive and Innovative Climbing Program, she has traveled to teach, climb competitively, and develop partnerships across the world. With boundless energy (and coffee), she constantly finds opportunities to expand the community and awareness of adaptive athletics to those around her. Her next plan includes traveling to Kuwait and speaking to women about the importance of athletics.
Some Assembly Required
Progressing and Regressing Strength Exercises for Climbers
Presenter: Charlie Manganiello, Coach, Climb Strong
Session Tags: Coaching/Training
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: Lake Loveland, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: The goal is to give attendees the tools to deliver simple and effective strength sessions to their youth climbing team or individual athletes. Sometimes facilities don't have all the fancy equipment in their weight-room or a group is too big to manage with a bunch of barbells and free weights...the session will address this problem and give attendees hands-on experience on how to use just body weight exercises when strength training. It will also teach the attendees how to assess when someone needs to progress or regress an exercise. Coaches are working with a variety athletes and their current level of strength, they need the knowledge to progress someone forward or regress the exercise accordingly.
About the Presenter: A high-level boulderer and rock climber, Charlie focuses on personal training and coaching, and works with climbers from around the US. Charlie now heads the Strength Program and the Youth Climbing Team at a gym in Ladner, WY called Elemental Performance + Fitness. He is the author of the Climb Strong Deadlifting Manual and the forthcoming Strength Training for Climbers, and is one of the lead instructors at the Performance Climbing Coach events.
CANCELLED: A Case Study on Change Management: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
This session has been cancelled. Please check the schedule and participate
in another great session we have planned!
Coaching: Quality Practice and Growth Mindset
Presenter: Kris Hampton, Owner, Power Company Climbing
Conference Track: Coaching/Training
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Elderberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: In an increasingly scientific and measured world of climbing training and coaching, there are still several variables that are unmeasurable. Quality of practice and growth mindset, and how those two aspects work together, are just as important as hangboards and campusing. Perhaps more so. In this session we will discuss what effective practice looks like and how we can implement these concepts. We'll also discuss the growth mindset and how it can be affected by the feedback we give as coaches and mentors. I urge attendees to ask questions and challenge assertions. As a coach, I'm working through this the same as all of you.
About the Presenter: As a climber of 25 years, with ascents of 5.14 and V10, Kris has always been most interested in efficient movement and what factors allow for continued success. This led to founding Power Company Climbing, where Kris and his team have coached thousands of climbers to their goals. After starting the popular Power Company Podcast, Kris began talking with and coaching other coaches, and has found satisfaction in being able to reach even more climbers through these coaches.
From Concept to Climbing Gym in 6 Months: Tactics for Rapid Development
Presenter: Jason McKenzie, Owner, Latitude Climbing + Fitness
Session Tags: Startups/Business Formation, Finance
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Location: Snowberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Latitude Climbing + Fitness went from idea to grand opening in 6.5 months. Our presentation will highlight critical junctures in the business development, financing, design, and establishment of operational procedures that facilitated our success. Additionally, we will provide granular analysis of specific choices we made with respect to branding, retail, and programming.
About the Presenter: Jason started Latitude with his two partners, Marisa and Matt, and went from concept to reality in just over 6 months. He has traveled to many climbing destinations around the world and climbing has been his passion for many, many years. He also works full time at an accounting firm.
Climbing Movement: the Root of Routesetting, Programs & Experience
Presenter: Heather Reynolds, Climbing Coach, Coordinator and Consultant; Program Coordinator for the CWA
Session Tags: Coaching/Training, Routesetting, Membership
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: Snowberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: This discussion based lecture is designed to assist climbing coaches and program instructors to develop consider new ways to review climbers skills and outline ideas on how to instruct clients to change movement patterns. Attendees will be introduced to a concept of movement progression, and elements of curriculum design that appropriately introduces movement patterns. Attendees will have an opportunity to practice identifying movement patterns that negatively impact performance. The exploration of movement will cover areas of setting to force movement patterns, injury prevention, risk management when developing skill and coaching.
About the Presenter: Heather blends her knowledge of movement, physiology, education to develop a multitude of successful climbing programs designed to engage new-to-climbers and experienced climbers of all ages. Coaching hundreds of climbers each year to connect and reconnect with their potential and inspire their climbing, helping them improve their performance. Heather has created and shares simple activities to help climbers develop.
Systems-Based Risk Management: Simplifying It for Your Gym
Presenter: Jeff Jackson, PhD, Professor and Coordinator of Canada's Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure Guide
Session Tags: Risk Management, Leadership, Management/Operations
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Location: Goldenglow, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Systems based risk management simplifies what is otherwise a large and intimidating topic. This session provides a template for mapping your risk management systems, and we workshop the bones of your gym’s risk management plan into a comprehensive, usable document. We extend our conversation to identifying control structures and looking at key variables to maintain a solid safety culture. This workshop both conceptualizes and structures your risk management systems and practices towards building quality programming and safety performance.
About the Presenter: Jeff Jackson, Ph.D., is a Professor and Coordinator of Canada's Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure Guide diploma program. His research on safety performance and safety culture has helped outdoor organizations re-think their risk management priorities and practices. Jeff is an award-winning educator who has been invited to speak around the world on safety and training topics. He has provided expert opinion in legal cases and consults with outdoor oriented insurance providers and municipalities. He is co-author of Managing Risk, an outdoor program-based risk management text, widely adopted by Canadian and American college outdoor programs
8 Steps to Turn Your Website Into Your Most Valuable Sales Tool
Presenter: Hannah Stael von Holstein, Vice President of Sales, Discover Strength
Conference Track: Management/Operations
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Lake Loveland, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: We live in a "you ask, we answer" world. Gone are the days where your website is just a brochure. Prospects are researching and making purchase decisions without stepping foot into your facility or talking to a salesperson. If your website is not answering the questions the prospect wants answered, they will simply leave the website and find another climbing facility that will answer their questions. By taking these 8 steps, your website will prequalify your leads for you without having to spend one second of a salesperson's valuable time.
About the Presenter: Hannah Stael von Holstein is the Vice President of Sales for Discover Strength, a Personal Training Facility in Minneapolis, MN. During her time at Discover Strength she has increased the closing percentage of the Sales Team by 20%, increased the initial Monthly Membership sale by 17% and has contributed to a 30% growth year over year for the past 5 consecutive years. Discover Strength was also just named the 21st fasted growing private companies in Minnesota by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
"But What Does DEI Actually Mean?"
Defining the What and Why of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Presenter: Elyse Rylander, Partner, the Avarna Group; Executive Director, OUT There Adventures
Conference Track: Management/Operations
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: In this session we will begin by building a foundation for DEI by learning what diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural competence (and even cultural relevancy) mean, and why this work is important to companies like yours as well as the climbing industry more broadly. We will also provide tips for how to negotiate push back from a range of stakeholders, such as gym members, staff or company leadership.
About the Presenter: Elyse (she/her) has worn many hats in the outdoor industry and education worlds. Since 2006 she has taken thousands of youth and adults on outdoor adventures all over North America, and during these adventures the interrogation of equity, access and privilege played a central role. In 2011 Elyse began her journey as founder of OUT There Adventures, a 501(c)3 dedicated to further bridging the gap between the LGBTQ community and the natural world. Along this path, Elyse has worked tirelessly to reduce outdoor access barriers for all members of the LGBTQ community. This has resulted in dozens of publications, presentations, interviews, trainingsand program partnerships aimed at increasing queer visibility and further complicating the narrative of who goes outside and how. Elyse’s work has appeared in places such as the Rutledge International Handbook of Outdoor Studies, in print and person at industry events such as Outdoor Retailer, and in March of 2018 Elyse was named a “Top Woman in Conservation and Environmental Justice” by ECODiversity Magazine. Elyse is also the co-organizer of the annual LGBTQ Outdoor Summit and a Partner with The Avarna Group.
Cultural Leadership: the Key to Employee Engagement and Motivation
Presenter: Chris Stevenson, Owner, Stevenson Fitness
All Conference Session: Management/Operations, Leadership
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 2:45pm - 4:00pm
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Excellence comes from an engaged and motivated team. One way to accomplish that is through cultural leadership. In this interactive session learn how to lead by infusing a culture that inspires and motivates your team to be the best they can be! Explore strategies that dramatically increase your level of team member engagement. Attendees will leave with tangible tips and tools that will make an immediate impact and are easy to implement.
About the Presenter: Chris is a fitness industry leader with over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. This experience ranges from personal training and group instruction, to owning and operating facilities. Chris has also been a presenter and speaker for national and international events for the last six years. He presented at the last few conferences and was one of the CWA's highest rated speakers.
Still Unsent: DEI in Your Gym Culture
Presenter: Cia Blackstock, Founder, Climbers of Color
Conference Track: Management/Operations
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Location: Elderberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: You can expect an interactive and digestible conversation about what DEI is and how it’s everyone’s responsibility. Workshop your policies and practices with other professionals to determine how your gym can be more equitable. Develop action plans for successful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to take back to your communities and create intentional space for social change. Together, let’s build a new universal climbing standard of equity. A talk designed for everyone in the climbing world.
About the Presenter: Cia Blackstock believes that, in a world where elevation and life expectancy are tied up in privilege, diversity and inclusion in climbing can save lives and liberate populations. Blackstock founded the POC climbing community group, Climbers of Color, in New Orleans. The organization serves hundreds of new and experienced POC climbers by celebrating and fostering diversity and mitigating barriers of entry to climbing and the outdoors.
Recipes for Successful Climbing Competitions
Presenters: Mike Rougeux, Climbing Program Director, Bend Endurance Academy; Bend Summer Comp Event Director; USA Climbing Regional Coordinator
Joey Jannsen, Head Routesetter at Bend Rock Gym. USA Climbing L4 setter, Head Routesetter for Bend Summer Comp
Rich Bruener, Director of Operations, Bend Rock Gym
Conference Track: Program Management
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: Elderberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Competitions can serve many purposes and if done properly can benefit your facility and your community. In this session, we will drill down into the different structures and formats of competitions of all levels, how they can benefit your members and how to overcome potential hurdles. With a unique presenter makeup, we'll be able to look at events from the gym management, route setting, and event management side of things and how they all come together. Together the presenters have hosted and produced successful yearly community bouldering series, local USA Climbing youth competitions in both Sport and Speed and Bouldering seasons, multiple USA Climbing Regional and Divisional championships for both Sport and Speed and Bouldering as well as the Bend Summer Comp- a Pro-Am bouldering competition with a $13k cash purse drawing elite level competitors.
About the Presenters: Mike Rougeux has worked in the indoor climbing industry since 2006. He is the current climbing Program Director and Head Coach for the Bend Endurance Academy in Bend, Oregon. Mike has served as a USA Climbing Regional Coordinator for the past five years and has Chief Judged several USA Climbing Championship level events. In addition to his involvement with youth climbing, he is the Event Director for the Bend Summer Comp- an annual elite-level bouldering competition offering up a $13k cash purse.
Joey Jannsen has been involved in the indoor climbing world for 12 years. As head routesetter at Bend Rock Gym, he and his setting staff on average set for four competitions per year ranging from local member competitions, USA Climbing championship events, to the pro-am Bend Summer Comp. Joey has his Level 4 routesetting certification from USA Climbing with endorsements in both sport and bouldering. He has set for USA Climbing National level events for both youth and adults in the past as well as the Portland Boulder Rally and other Pro-Am competitions throughout the US.
Through his time at the BRG, Rich has helped lead the production of dozens of comps ranging from informal community comps to USAC youth championship events to even pro/invitational competitions. Through his role and experience Rich offers a unique insight into the business implications of hosting competitions and the impacts competitions have on general gym operations.
A Strategic Approach to Inventory Management
Presenter: Philippe Westenberger, Head of Product Management, EDELRID
Conference Track: Management/Operations
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Location: Elderberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Do you own a climbing gym and all the risk that comes with it? Are you responsible for purchasing rental equipment or inspecting it? And are you tired of how long it takes to check in and check out rental products? Do you have a hard time tracking how old your inventory is or the last time it was inspected?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this course could be of interest to you. In this Inventory Management workshop, real life case studies will be presented that give attendees practical data points that demonstrate the robustness of today's RFID and inventory management technology, to include but not limited to; Time Savings, Cost Savings, Risk Mitigation, Rental Gear PPE Inspection, Product Safety Standards, Process Transparency, etc. Attendees will walk away with an in depth understanding of RFID Inventory Management practices and associated benefits.
About the Presenter: As the Product Manager of EDELRID globally, Phil is passionate and enthusiastic about making the best possible products. Phil's extensive expertise in product development and long-standing experience in making Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has positioned EDELRID as one of the most innovative and relevant brands on the market today. As an active member of numerous industry working groups and standards committees, Phil brings a wide range of knowledge to this year's CWA Summit. Phil currently works closely with and sits on several standards committees and boards related to improving safety and functionality of climbing gear as well as promoting sustainability in manufacturing.
The 2019 Indoor Climber Survey:
Understanding Indoor Climbers and Identifying Commercial Opportunities
Presenter: Laura Allured, Marketing & Communications Manager, CWA; David Carter, Assistant Professor, University of Utah; Ryan Gagnon, Assistant Professor, Clemson University
Conference Track: Management/Operations
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: Aspen Daisy, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Join us to learn about the CWA's first-ever large-scale survey of indoor climbers! We all have many unanswered questions about the indoor climbing community, so the CWA has partnered with David Paul Carter from the University of Utah and Ryan Gagnon from Clemson University to conduct a survey of climbing gym users. Attend this session to learn about project goals and how your gym can benefit by getting involved. Session objectives will include:
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Presenting an overview of David Carter and Ryan Gagnon’s previous survey work in the climbing community
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Explaining the goals of the CWA’s Indoor Climber Survey
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Setting expectations of what information will be collected and how it will be reported
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Providing details on the opportunities to get involved
About the Presenters: Laura Allured is the Marketing & Communications Manager at the Climbing Wall Association. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she got her start climbing in 2012 at Vertical Endeavors and has been hooked ever since. She's an experienced marketing professional with a background in the media, event, and tech industries.
David Carter is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the University of Utah's Department of Political Science and an International Rock Climbing Research Association member. He also serves on the Board of Directors and Policy and Conservation Committee of the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance. David has been climbing rocks, ice, and peaks for almost two decades.
Ryan J. Gagnon, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Clemson University. He currently serves as the research advisor to USA Climbing in its transition to the Olympics and researches the relationships between recreation and sport programming and the socio-emotional growth of youth and young people. Within this focus, he studies the design, assessment, and implementation of youth and young adult programs, particularly for marginalized groups.
Transitioning from Contract to Staff Routesetters
Presenter: Chris Cowell, Director of Setting, Vertical Endeavors
Session Tags: Routesetting, Management/Operations, Finance
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: Elderberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: By discussing the pros and cons of both contract-based and staff/employee-based routesetting programs and by learning about important areas of consideration when deciding which type of routesetting program will work best for their facility, session attendees will be better able to decide what type of Routesetting Team will work best in their own circumstance. Areas of consideration including costs, planning/forecasting for route turnover, event + competition planning, route quality, and oversight capabilities of management all play a critical role in this choice for commercial climbing facilities. As we discuss our experiences and hear more about Vertical Endeavors' journey in transitioning from contract to staff setting including road blocks along the way, expectations, surprises, and results for the company, the staff, and the customers, attendees will see a fuller picture of all that goes into the decision of how to organize their own team.
About the Presenter: Chris began climbing in 2011 in Indianapolis, purely by accident. This happy accident quickly evolved into a passion and then a career. He started routesetting as a side gig and then stepped into full time routesetting in 2014 when Vertical Endeavors opened its location in Glendale Heights, IL outside of Chicago. He led the transition there from contract setters to a staff setting team and then moved to help in the Twin Cities with a traveling setting crew. He is now the Director of Setting over the four Twin Cities Vertical Endeavors’ locations.
Drive Engagement and Revenues with Personal and Small Group Training
Presenter: Matthew Wright, Head of Community and Education, Aktiv Solutions
Session Tags: Program Management, Membership
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Location: Carter Lake, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: What's all the buzz about Personal and Small Group Training?
1. It provides an experience
2. It builds community
3. It drives revenue
Personal and Small Group Training is the #1 revenue source for fitness clubs around the globe outside of Membership Dues. Being able to offer this type of programming with your members increases your retention and builds a community within your facility. And, offering these programs can be a key differentiator for your climbing gym.
This session will provide an understanding of how personal and small group training can make a last impact on your facility, and discuss the necessary steps towards building a profitable program through hiring, education, and marketing.
About the Presenter: Matt Wright MS, EP-C is a Fitness Business Leader, Educator, and serves as Head of Community & Education for Aktiv Solutions. Matt’s passion and focus includes driving comprehensive operating models and client engagement at both the health club level & studio levels. He believes this begins with investing in the fitness professionals that drive each facility’s brand promise. Matt loves helping others achieve their goals and watching teams flourish while extending the message of health and wellness. Matt has educated as an adjunct professor teaching: Kinesiology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Exercise Technique & Prescription. He holds a Masters Degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist.
Risk Assessment & Safety Management Model (RASM):
A Comprehensive Approach for Any Organization
Presenter: Rick Curtis, IncidentAnalytix
Session Tags: Risk Management/Legal, Leadership, Management/Operations
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Location: Goldenglow, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Participants will develop a framework for understanding the factors that create the potential for an accident, injury, or loss. The Level of Risk in any situation is not only the result of negative hazard factors that pile up; it is also due to the presence or absence of positive factors that each program develops to meet the anticipated and unanticipated hazard factors. The model offers programs both a common metaphor for staff to talk about managing risk as well as a tool not only for identifying causative risk factors, but also for designing and adding program safety elements from the start and along the way to reduce these risk factors. Participants will come away with a model that will help them develop target goals for assessing their current risk levels in relation to program goals and strategic approaches for integrating policies, procedures, and instructor judgment in effective risk management.
About the Presenter: Rick Curtis has served as Director of the Outdoor Action Program at Princeton University, one of the largest outdoor orientation programs in the country, for the 37 years. He is the author of The Backpacker's Field Manual, the founder of OutdoorEd.com, one of the premiere Web sites for professional outdoor educators and IncidentAnalytix, the cloud-based incident tracking system. He has consulted and lectured internationally on outdoor education and risk management for over twenty years.
You Be the Judge
Presenter: Reb Gregg, Attorney
Session Tags: Risk Management/Legal, Management/Operations, Leadership
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: Lake Loveland. Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: In this interactive session we will use scenarios from recent climbing gym cases to explore a gym’s duty of care and defenses to claims of negligence. Small groups will “be the Judge” – finding for or against the claimant and defending their positions. The actual outcome of the cases, in court, will be explained and the arguments will continue.
About the Presenter: Reb Gregg is a practicing attorney in Houston, Texas, specializing in managing the risks of legal liability in recreation and adventure programs. He is a frequent speaker and author in the field, and consults regularly with summer camps, secondary school and college outdoor programs, climbing gyms, challenge courses and aerial adventure tours. He serves on the Risk Management committees of a number of organizations, and served for many years as Counsel to The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Reb is the honoree of the Charles (Reb) Gregg Award for Exceptional Leadership, Service and Innovation in Wilderness Risk Management, established by the Wilderness Risk Management Conference in 2009 and awarded annually.
Financial Management for Climbing Gyms
Presenter: Bob Richards, Owner, Climbing Wall Advisors
Session Tags: Finance, Management/Operations
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Location: Snowberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Have you developed a financial dashboard for consistently tracking the financial performance of your climbing gym? Do you know what to track and how to track it? Join us for a presentation and discussion of how to develop and track key financial metrics for your climbing gym operations. This information is appropriate for both existing operators and those aspiring to open a gym.
About the Presenter: Formerly on the CWA board, Bob Richards owns Climbing Wall Advisors, a consultancy that helps prospective gym owners launch their new businessses.
The Law of Employee Pay: An Introduction to the FLSA and Wage & Hour Compliance
Presenter: Jason Pill, Attorney, Phelps Dunbar LLP
Conference Track: Finance/Legal
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Big Thompson, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Despite various names and titles, almost every climbing gym has the same core categories of employees: front desk staff, belay instructors/monitors, route setters, and managers. Naturally, these categories overlap as certain employees perform multiple tasks, or the categories increase as gyms expand into larger facilities, increase their market share, or offer more services (e.g., yoga instructors, marketing directors, operations managers, etc.). Of course, no matter how a climbing gym labels it employees, it must pay them lawfully and properly for their time worked, which is more complex than simply giving everyone either an hourly rate or a salary. This course will explore the legal requirements and compliance obligations of employee pay, including overtime issues, timekeeping requirements, and proper job classifications. The course also will address the legal risks for non-compliance, the rise of wage & hour class action lawsuits, and the corresponding litigation trends against employers.
About the Presenter: Jason Pill is an attorney who practices in the area of labor and employment. He represents employers, including climbing gyms, regarding claims involving employment discrimination laws, wage and hour laws, family and medical leave laws, whistleblower laws, employee benefits, enforcement of non-competition agreements, customer complaints based on alleged discrimination, privacy-based claims, and various employment-related torts. He regularly appears in state and federal courts to represent a broad range of employers.
In addition to litigation, Jason focuses his practice on counseling management and human resource professionals on a wide-range of workplace issues. He advises employers on developing and applying personnel policies, document retention policies, and compensation/bonus plans. Guided by his litigation experience and work with clients in a broad array of industries, he routinely assists employers with the implementation of employee training programs and courses, including sexual harassment and discrimination prevention.
Additionally, Jason has been a climber for the last 18 years and previously managed a climbing gym before embarking on a legal career. Jason currently serves as the Chairperson of USA Climbing's Risk Management Committee.
The Case for the Small Gym: A Startup Story
Presenter: Fabrizio Zangrilli, Monkey House Carbondale
Conference Track: Startups/Business Formation
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: Goldenglow, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: In this honest look at the hell (and joys!) of starting a small gym, Fabrizio Zangrilli will tell his story of starting a small bouldering gym in the heart of the Colorado mountains. He will describe his journey, including building a community around training for climbing, establishing a youth team, and dealing with competition from skiing, outdoor climbing, mountain biking, trail running, and great weather. He will make the argument for small rural gyms based on his experiences.
About the Presenter: Formerly a mountain guide and sponsored alpinist; starting a family and needing a stationary job led Fabrizio down the road of building a small training-focused bouldering gym.
Coaching Creative Coaches: Help Your Staff See Results with Young Climbers
Presenters: Bix Firer and Pat Brehm, Headwall Group
Conference Track: Coaching/Training
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Aspen Daisy, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: In this session, Administrative Staff will learn how to use meaningful structure and learning-ful play in order to build effective and creative youth programs in their climbing gyms, and how to empower their staff to enact such programs. Headwall Group is well-versed in best practices in youth development and will provide tools and strategies that administrative staff can introduce to their coaching staff that will help give their program a unique depth of experience for their climbers.
In a brief introduction, the concepts of structure and learning-ful play will be introduced. The remainder of the seminar will involve activities rooted in these concepts, led by Bix and Pat, with time to discuss how these can be practically applied to participants' programs.
Participants will leave with new ideas for fun and engaging activities to use in their programs as well as an understanding of how to apply structure and learning-ful play to activities that they are already using in their programs, and tools to pass on to their staff to allow them to apply these concepts.
About the Presenters: Bix Firer (MA University of Chicago, BA University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) has worked in experiential and adventure education with national non-profits and school districts in Chicago, Milwaukee, Colorado, and Alaska since 2007. Bix has primarily worked with students who are traditionally under-represented in outdoor education. Bix is currently the Director of Outdoor Programs at the College of Idaho. His passion is facilitating challenging and fun experiences that help the next generation of educators approach themselves and each other with excitement, empathy, and a sense of adventure. While not working, Bix can be found exploring the rivers and mountains of Idaho by his own power.
Patrick Brehm (BA Marquette University) has worked in several capacities of youth advocacy, developing and delivering curriculum based in social-emotional learning, experiential education, and special education. He has passionately brought high-level, energetic facilitation and training to diverse communities of youth and adults in Milwaukee and Denver through various non-profits, schools, and community-oriented businesses. As a dedicated rock climbing instructor, Pat is passionate about sharing a unique perspective, encouraging groups and individuals to use rock climbing and other adventures to find connection and balance within oneself, community, and natural environment. When Pat is not teaching, you can find him climbing.
Mentorship: The Other Side of Coaching
Presenter: Chi Harris, Assistant Coach, Multnomah Athletic Club
Conference Track: Coaching/Training
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: Snowberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Youth Coaches and instructors typically don't choose their field of work only because they like teaching youth how to rock climb. While much of coach training these days focuses on ways to improve an athlete's strength or technique—either physically or mentally—most coaches worth their salt will tell you that being a coach requires much more than just that. For many coaches the area of Mentorship—an often less-discussed, but equally important piece of coaching—provides a space for improvement. We as coaches have a responsibility to craft athletes who have the tools to not only win on the wall, but more importantly, win in life. Coach Chi Harris will speak on approaches to better involve yourself and your staff in the lives of your athletes in a way that will positively affect them for a lifetime both inside and outside of practice.
About the Presenter: Chi Harris works as an Assistant Coach for the Multnomah Athletic Club Climbing Team based out of Portland, Oregon. He has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic and Outdoor Business Marketing, with a minor in Psychology focusing on child, adolescent, and young adult development. Chi has spent the last 12 years mentoring youth in some form or fashion, with 7 of those years specifically focusing on mentoring climbing team athletes. He also serves on the USA Climbing coaches committee and served as an apprentice coach on the US Team at Youth World Championships in 2018.
Routesetting Program Review
Presenter: Nic Oklobzija, Everlast Climbing
Conference Track: Coaching/Training
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Snowberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: This session will be a program review of routesetting programs and structures from a number of gyms in the US and Canada. The review will consist of everything from hold budgets, styles, start markings, user communication, and labor percentages, turnover rates, and overall styles. This session is designed for both Head Routesetters and Gym Managers to get a peek into other programs across North America.
About the Presenter: Nic Oklobzija has been involved in the US climbing industry since 2004. He has traveled to 200+ gyms in the US and has been working as a consultant, trainer, and program developer focused in routesetting since 2014. Nic has worked with many clients in routesetting program development but is probably more well-known for his competition experience as a USA Climbing Level 5 National Chief.
1Climb: Introducing Youth and Communities to Climbing
Presenter: Kevin Jorgeson, Co-founder, 1Climb
Conference Track: Program Management
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: This session will introduce attendees to 1Climb, an organization that builds climbing walls in select Boys and Girls Clubs across the United States and creates partnerships with the local climbing community. Attendees will learn about the structure of a 1Climb program, the stories of the kids that have participated, the program's approach to connecting communities and neighborhoods, and how introducing climbing to kids can change the trajectory of a person's life. There will also be an open discussion about how gyms are currently working with their local communities to make the sport more inclusive.
The goal of this session is to answer the following questions:
- What is 1Climb? Why does it exist, and how is it structured?
- How has 1Climb expanded the sport of climbing and introduced new climbers?
- How does climbing connect communities and neighborhoods?
- What has 1Climb done to enrich the lives of youth?
About the Presenter: "I believe the world is a better place with more climbers in it," says Kevin Jorgeson. When not exploring big wall first ascents in Yosemite, Kevin spends his time enabling the next generation to discover climbing. Kevin is the co-founder of Session, a ground-up construction climbing facility in Santa Rosa, CA. Additionally, Kevin is the co-founder of 1Climb, a non-profit that builds climbing walls for Boys and Girls Clubs across the US.
Risk Communication and Reducing Our Exposure to Liability
Presenter: Jon Heshka, Thompson Rivers University
Conference Track: Finance/Legal
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45am
Location: Snowberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: This presentation will review principles of negligence and risk, followed by an in-depth exploration of various models and approaches to risk management. The four stages (pre-incident, active management, crisis management, and post-incident) will be examined in detail. The presentation will focus on risk communication and how we wish to present climbing as a fun and safe activity while at the same time – as per the CWA Manual – saying it’s dangerous and that compliance with industry practices won’t guarantee that a climbing gym will be safe. The session will also look at procedures and processes which affect a gym’s risk exposure.
The goals of this session are to:
1) Reduce gyms’ exposure to liability through sound risk communication practices from our marketing, waivers, and signage
2) Examine four stages of risk management (pre-incident, active management, crisis management, and post-incident)
3) Look at other procedures and processes which affect a gym’s risk exposure
About the Presenter: Jon is a climber and former guide. He trained and coordinated search and rescue full-time in British Columbia from 1992-99, worked with Denali Mountain Rescue, ran Petzl’s rescue and rope access division in Utah for 3 years, and has been a professor at Thompson Rivers University since 2002. He’s with the Adventure Studies Department and has also served as Associate Dean of Law for 4 years. Jon consults with all levels of government and the private sector and has worked as an expert witness in Canada, the US and Europe. He’s written and presented extensively about adventure sport, risk and liability.
Mentoring Your Routesetting Team for Customer Progression & Retention
Presenters: Jackie Hueftle and Sarah Filler, Routesetting Institute
Conference Track: Routesetting
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Location: Aspen Daisy, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: A good routesetting program is an extremely important factor in creating and maintaining a gym's customer base, and the goal of this session is to help you develop strategies for creating a good routesetting program in your gym. This session will outline components of a successful routesetting program and give you strategies for creating and instituting one in your gym. It will also help you structure your routesetting program to better mentor your setters to identify and provide for the needs of your customers through planning, setting, forerunning, and observing, with an emphasis on grade appropriate setting. Finally, we will discuss methods of collecting statistics and customer feedback and ways to use them to continually improve your offerings to encourage customer growth and progression and therefore help you strengthen and retain your member base.
About the Presenters: Jackie Hueftle has been setting since 1998. She has set for everyone from brand new climbers to high level competitors including world-cup level athletes. Most recently Jackie was Head Setter of The Spot in Boulder, though in 2017 she stepped out of full-time setting to focus on her hold company, Kilter. In 2018 she helped form the Routesetting Institute with the goal of helping more gyms create and maintain good setting programs.
Sarah Filler started setting in 2007 in Buffalo, New York. In 2014 she moved to Boulder, became Assistant Head Setter at The Spot and then in 2017 became Head Setter. Sarah planned the routesetting department for and opened The Spot Denver, works with Kilter in sales and consulting, and helped form the Routesetting Institute. She often travels to set for gyms and comps and helps train new setters.
Inside-Out: Our Industry and the Outdoors
Presenters: Hilary Harris, Owner, EVO Rock + FItness, Access Fund Board Member;
Chris Winter, Executive Director, Access Fund
Conference Track: Leadership, Innovation, Program Management
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45 am
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: We envision a world where climbers are stewards of the land, not just users. We see a nationwide community of indoor climbers and climbing gym leaders who translate their passion into action to protect outdoor climbing areas.
The goals of this presentation are:
• To mobilize the indoor climbing industry to help create a national movement of climbing advocates by activating their user base to become stewards, activists, grassroots organizers, and mentors to protect our outdoor crags;
• To inspire climbing gym owners to educate their clients and visitors about the need to care for and protect outdoor climbing environments; and
• To encourage climbing gym owners and visitors to support Access Fund, and to engage in its on-the-ground work to protect climbing areas.
Five Years Later: Incident Analysis and Claim Scenario Review
Presenters: Monument Sports Group
Conference Track: Risk Management/Legal, Management/Operations
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45 am
Location: Goldenglow, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: For 2019 Monument Sports with special guest Reb Gregg will host a fast-moving round table discussion. Each table will receive a claim or incident scenario to discuss how they would handle the situation. Each table will present their scenario to the group for discussion and feedback, and MSG will assist in analyzing the potential issues with managing each incident.
The 75-minute session will begin with 15 to 20 minutes of Beta based on the 5 full years of reported incident data, and provide some statistical analysis of some specific trends. We will then break up into groups for either one or two round table sessions based on sign ups or number of attendees.
MSG will provide some common scenarios to discuss. For those willing however, please bring your own personal stories from those scary moments, near misses, or whatever you want to discuss so that the entire group can benefit from this session.
USA Climbing Roundtable
Facilitated by: John Muse, USA Climbing, and Vanessa Brias, 5.Life & USA Climbing Division Coordinator, Division 7
Session Tags: Management/Operations, Program Management, Coaching, Routesetting
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45 am
Location: Carter Lake, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: The emphasis on competition climbing has increased significantly with the addition of climbing to the Olympic Games and the ESPN contract. But what is the true impact on commercial climbing facilities? On one hand, the sport has been elevated in the public eye and demand has increased across the industry. On the other, gym operators are challenged to balance the requirements of competition climbing with the needs of running a successful commercial facility. Join us for a roundtable discussion between gym operators and USA Climbing about the impact the evolving sport has on commercial facilities. Share your thoughts on the expanding relationship between USA Climbing and gyms, the implications of hosting competitions whether youth locals or championship events, and help inform expectations for moving forward.
Kraft Your Brand: Smart Branding is the Key to Success
Presented by: Hannes Huch, Das Bran Ding
Session Tags: Marketing, Management/Operations, Membership
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15 am
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: The Café Kraft is a very strong brand in the indoor climbing industry worldwide. As we worked together with an internationally experienced brand designer the name of Café Kraft is well known to almost every climber and every gym owner. All this didn't happen by chance but by following a number of well thought steps. The audience will benefit from getting to know these steps, some of the secrets behind brand building and why it is important to have a brand in the market.
Independent Gym Owners Roundtable
Facilitated by: Bill Zimmermann, CWA
Session Tags: Leadership, Management/Operations, Membership
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 10:00am - 11:15 am
Location: Big Thompson, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: The CWA invites owners of independently-owned and operated gyms to participate in a roundtable discussion among industry peers. This roundtable will have a limit of 50 participants; first-come, first-served
Canadian Roundtable
Facilitated by: Kenneth Cronin, Owner of Crag X, CWA Board Member
Session Tags: Leadership, Management/Operations, Membership
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Carter Lake, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: The CWA invites Canadian participants in the CWA Summit to join us for a roundtable discussion among industry peers. Please note that lunch is the responsibility of the individual, light snacks will be served.
Marketing Roundtable
Facilitated by: Tori Barnett, Earth Treks
Session Tags: Marketing, Membership
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 12:45pm - 1:15pm (Lunch and Learn)
Location: Big Thompson, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: The CWA invites current and aspiring marketing professionals of the CWA Summit to join us for a roundtable discussion among industry peers. Please note that lunch is the responsibility of the individual, light snacks will be served.
From Climber to Worker: A Panel Discussion on Work at Height
Moderated by: Rick Vance, VP of Quality, Black Diamond and CWA Board Member
Panelists: Ward Byrum, Director of Routesetting, Earth Treks
Kenneth Cronin, Owner of Crag X and CWA Board Member
Jesse Williams, Work at Height trainer and mountain guide
Peter Zeidelhack, Routesetting Training Manager for the German Alpine Club (DAV)
Session Tags: Management/Operations, Risk Management/Legal, Routesetting
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: This panel will convene some of the climbing industry’s most respected leaders of routesetting and rope access training in North America and Europe for a discussion on the mechanics of implementing compliant policies and best practices for working at height in your facility.
Youth Programs Roundtable
Facilitated by: Nicole Brandt, Cypress Roots Consulting
Session Tags: Program Management, Coaching, Youth Programs
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: Carter Lake, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Join us for an interactive discussion among peers about creating, optimizing, and generating successful outcomes for youth programs, teams, and associated staff.
Adult Programs Roundtable
Facilitated by: Nicole Brandt, Cypress Roots Consulting
Session Tags: Program Management, Coaching, Adult Programs
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Location: Big Thompson, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Join us for an interactive discussion among peers about creating, optimizing, and generating successful outcomes for adult programs, classes, and associated staff.
Strengthening Leadership in the Indoor Climbing Industry
Moderated by: Bethany Lebewitz, Brown Girls Climb
Panelists: TBA
Session Tags: Leadership, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Management/Operations, Program Management
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: This panel will explore approaches to strengthening leadership in the climbing industry. This panel will be comprised of industry leaders with a demonstrated commitment to strengthening leadership through increased education, community partnerships, and internal reflection and staff training. The discussion will focus on the mechanics of how an organization can take action at various levels of business operations, and will be framed with intersectionality as a core value.
Indoor Climbing Business Expansion
Moderated by: Bob Richards, Climbing Wall Advisors
Panelists: TBA
Session Tags: Leadership, Startups/Business Formation, Finance/Legal
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45 am
Location: River Birch, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: This panel will convene some of the climbing industry’s most respected multi climbing gym owners and executives who have successfully scaled one startup venture into several operating facilities. We will celebrate victories, share unexpected challenges, and look to the future of the indoor climbing industry through the lens of expansion.
Gym Managers Roundtable
Facilitated by: Dan Jeanette, Climbing Wall Association
Session Tags: Management/Operations, Leadership
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45 am
Location: Carter Lake, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Join us for an interactive discussion among peers about management and operations best practices for your indoor climbing facilities.
Routesetters Roundtable
Facilitated by: Jackie Hueftle, Routesetting Institute, Kilter
Session Tags: Routesetting, Leadership
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 9:45 am
Location: Big Thompson, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Join us for an interactive discussion among peers about developing, managing, and optimizing your gym’s routesetting program.
Diversifying Climbing Roundtable
Facilitated by: Elyse Rylander, Partner, The Avarna Group, Executive Director, OUT There Adventures
Session Tags: Diversity/equity/inclusion, Leadership, Management/Operations
Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
Time: 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Location: Carter Lake, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Join us for an interactive discussion among peers about diversity, equity, and inclusion measures that you can incorporate into your professional culture and gym member experience.
B Corporation Lunch and Learn
Presented by: Lindsey Wilson, B Lab
Session Tags: Leadership, Management/Operations
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 12:45pm - 1:15pm (Lunch & Learn Session)
Location: Snowberry, Embassy Suites Conference Center
Description: Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Come learn from B Lab's Lindsey Wilson on why so many companies are driven to pursue B Corp, how it's relevant to the indoor climbing industry, and how to improve impact through the B Corp Certification process.This session is intended to be conversational.
About the Presenter: Lindsey Wilson is passionate about using business as a force for good. Growing up backpacking and skiing in the mountains of Colorado and northwoods forests of Minnesota, Lindsey has always had an immense passion for protecting the places she plays which led her to initially pursue a career in conservation policy. Realizing many of the ecological challenges the world faces inherently live in social and economic systems, Lindsey went back to school to pursue an MBA in Global, Social & Sustainable Enterprise at Colorado State University and shortly after began working in Business Development for B Lab supporting companies in becoming Certified B Corporations. Lindsey believes in the power of B Corps to create a new economic paradigm where planet and people are monitored as rigorously as profits and all businesses work collectively to solve social and environmental problems. Lindsey is an avid skier and hiker and dabbles in climbing.
