The Climbing Wall Association annual summit returns to Loveland, Co the week of May 15 and I will be presenting a couple of topics. First, a one-day preconference workshop on creating your business plan for a new climbing gym development.…
Are you psyched to start a climbing gym business but still in the process of planning for and financing your new venture? Then join me at the CWA Summit for an all day workshop on developing a business plan for…
My homework assignment each year is to visit as many new climbing gyms as possible. This year I have visited gyms on both coasts, the gulf, Europe and Iceland. What does climbing have in common everywhere I go? It is…
Retail Sales in Climbing Gyms The CWA Newsletter, Lines, recently published a review of the benefits of selling climbing related products in climbing gyms. That article made many effective arguments. However, I think there is need for a counter argument…
The most common call I receive from aspiring gym developers is, “where do I obtain a template for creating a financial projection for my gym project?” Unfortunately, the industry does not have any industry financial profiles, which are generally compiled…
The Climbing Wall Association publishes industry practices, not industry standards. What’s the difference? A practice is a process or procedure that is commonly used or suggested. A standard is something against which one measures something to see if it conforms to…
The 2013 Climbing Wall Association Summit wrapped up on Saturday June 1st. It was a mix of new faces and many that have been around for more than a decade. The lead conference “plenary” session was a panel discussion regarding…
The Climb Well Operations and Employee Manual is now available for purchase. In this manual I have attempted to incorporate the many lessons I have learned in customer service and risk management over a 22-year tenure in the sport climbing industry. My…
There will be a panel discussion at the Climbing Wall Association Summit regarding “Mitigating Risk: A Review of Accidents, On boarding New Climbers, Minimizing Claims, Losses and Lawsuits.” The panel discussion will include gym operators, attorneys and myself in what…
The Climbing Wall Association Annual Summit kicks off on May 31st and I will presenting a preconference workshop May 30th on Business Plan Developmentfor climbing gyms (with the intent to raise money). The morning session will be focused on creating plans…