CWA Blog Archive-The Best Member Appreciation Events Around

The Best Member Appreciation Events Around

Pdf Summary

This is Part 2 of a two-part series on member appreciation events; where Part 1 covered experts' tips for throwing a stellar event, Part 2 pulls back the curtain on their most successful events. It's framed against the pandemic backdrop: gyms across North America and the world were figuring out how to stay open while minimizing exposure risk and keeping climbers safe, which made the members who kept paying their fees, rather than freezing or cancelling, matter more than ever. While the landscape was changing, one constant remained, the importance of making sure members know they're appreciated, which currently meant getting creative. The experts stress it's not just what you do but how you do it, and the key is knowing what your audience wants. The article notes a caveat: the experts were interviewed just before the pandemic hit, so they weren't throwing in-person events at the time. It then showcases a standout example: Rock Mill Climbing in Akron, Ohio, a bouldering-only gym, and its Bouldering Sucks event. Marketing &amp; Community Director Nick Muffet describes it as a traverse competition held annually, noting the energy is always really high, making it a memorable community-building tradition. The throughline is that successful member appreciation events, exemplified by creative, community-driven traditions like Rock Mill's Bouldering Sucks traverse competition, are vital for retaining and honoring members, especially during the pandemic when loyal paying members became more valuable than ever.

Asset Caption

Part 2 of a member appreciation series reveals experts' most successful events, like Rock Mill Climbing's high-energy "Bouldering Sucks" traverse competition. Framed against the pandemic, when loyal paying members mattered more than ever, it stresses that effective appreciation comes from knowing your audience and executing creatively, building the loyalty that sustains a gym.