GYM GRAND OPENING

So, you've been approved to open your gym, jumped through all the hoops with the city, obtained your permits, bought your equipment, you have your box and you are ready to open your doors. By this point, everyone you know has heard about your gym and it's all the buzz, but who cares, tell them again! You need people at your Grand Opening event to bring your empty warehouse space alive and help spread the word about your awesome affiliate! 

There are lots of ways to get the word out about your box without spending a ton of money. An effective Grand Opening can bring lots of clients who may have never heard of your program before you introduced them to it.

Advertise Your Grand Opening

1. Create an Event on Facebook and invite all your friends


2. Email your contact list


3. Advertise on your website


4. Put fliers on cars at neighboring shopping centers


5. If you live in a development near your box, see if you can get in the newsletter


6. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce


7. Ask your friends to send out the information to their contact list/Facebook friends

Grand Opening Event Ideas

1. Invite all guests to participate in a Grand Opening WOD: this is great because it gets new people a taste of what your program is and serves as an event (rather than people standing around in your box).  Choose a WOD that has movements that require very little instruction.  The goal is to get people motivated about joining your program, not frustrated because they can’t master the dynamics of a snatch.  Also remember to keep it short, interesting, and fun.


2. Ask a local Paleo-friendly restaurant to sponsor your Grand Opening.  You would be surprised how much free stuff you can get as a small business owner if you just ask.  Set up some diagrams with the Paleo Pyramid so people can ask questions and get excited about this way of eating.


3. Have a Nutrition speaker who is pro-Paleo give a talk on the health benefits of the combination of fitness and the Paleo lifestyle.


4. Ask a pro-fitness chiropractor to donate their services for an hour and give free exams/adjustments.  This is beneficial for them as well since it will get them exposure to a whole new group of potential clients.


5. Rent a Bounce House for kids to attract potential clients who might be driving by.


6. If you have a big turn out, do a themed team WOD so people get a taste of how fun and community driven your program can be.


7. If you have a Kids certified trainer, advertise a kids WOD (CFK baseball!).-Do a healthy tailgate party and BBQ some chicken and veggies.


8. Ask the neighboring businesses if they would like to join the event to create a bigger buzz.  Everyone in your complex can put up tents and advertise at your box for the day. (I’m sure they know people you haven’t reached).


9. Offer membership incentives to anyone who signs up the day of the Grand Opening.  Maybe they get the first month at 50% off.


10. Sell raffle tickets and have prizes: your gym’s t-shirt, an abmat, a jump rope, Progenex, etc.


11. Have a ribbon cutting! Ask local government officials if they want to be part of your ribbon cutting ceremony (and you will most likely get free advertisement in the local paper).


12. Make gift bags that attendees can take home.  Put gym merchandise in them: magnets, stickers, a gift card for a free class or a free week, etc.


13. Live Music!


14. Set up some TVs and have past Games showing so people new to the sport understand the enormity of your program.