AB Show: Forty Years and Counting

This year, AB Show is celebrating 40 years of uniting the industry by connecting professionals across our diverse attendee base — not only to each other, but also to the practical solutions they need to be successful.

Five years after the inception of Athletic Business magazine (as Athletic Purchasing & Facilities), a need was discovered to bring together organizations planning athletic, fitness and recreation facilities with the top experts and manufacturers in the field. And in 1982, the first AP&F’s Facilities/Equipment and Conference was staged in Chicago to meet that very desire. It wasn’t until later that we changed the name to the Athletic Business Conference & Expo and ultimately to AB Show.

Over the years, we’ve hosted a variety of noteworthy keynote speakers, including Dick Vitale, Terry Bradshaw, Magic Johnson, Lou Holtz and more. We’ve hosted AB Show in places such as San Diego, Baltimore, Orlando and San Antonio, propelling the industry forward through innovation and connection.

While each show is its own unique experience, one thing has remained the same: athletic, fitness, recreation and military professionals come together to learn solutions from top industry leaders, find the latest products and services, and build a community of like-minded people looking to achieve greatness.

All of this couldn’t be done without the incredible people that make AB Show a success. From attendees and exhibitors to our partners and sponsors, the AB Show family is the reason we’re celebrating 40 years as a premier industry event.

LET’S GO BANANAS: AN AB SHOW 2022 PREVIEW

We’ve worked hard to curate another fantastic and indispensable trade show, Nov. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla., and we’re confident you’ll walk away with the tools you need to take your business or organization to the next level. Head to abshow.com for more details on each of the following highlights.

MUST-ATTEND SESSIONS

No matter what stage in your career you find yourself or what industry sector you come from, we offer educational sessions that provide the most relevant, timely and innovative solutions to the unique challenges you face on a daily basis. Visit our website to find seminar descriptions and details. Plus, filter the seminar options by track or day/time to make it easy to discover the perfect individual sessions and overall itinerary for you!

“It’s been a wonderful partnership in that it’s allowed our focus to remain on providing the highest-quality education for our segment
and audience.”

­— Lisa Licata, NAYS Senior Director, Professional Administrators, AB Show Partner

OUR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED KEYNOTE: JESSE COLE

You don’t want to miss the man dressed in yellow on Friday, Nov. 18. Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, has revolutionized the game of baseball with his fan-first mentality, and he can’t wait to share his winning strategy with AB Show attendees. With his “5 E’s,” Cole will instruct attendees on how to stand out in the marketplace, drive explosive growth and inspire fanatical loyalty.

FACILITY TOURS & WORKSHOPS

Even before AB Show officially opens with its second-to-none seminar tracks, we offer facility tours unique to our destination, as well as more intimate and hands-on educational workshops.

East Tour: University of Central Florida/Lake Nona Performance Club/USTA National Campus
West Tour: University of South Florida and the University of Tampa

Workshops:
• How to Hire, Onboard and Retain Talent
• Innovation Lab! You, Your Facilities and the Metaverse: Hands-On Experience Exploring the Incredible Tools and Possibilities of the Metaverse
• You’re Thinking About a New Building: What is YOUR Role When Planning and Designing a New Facility?

“Every year, we really hope that people are able to take away information to apply to their campus that will help improve their day-to-day life … and have the opportunity to talk about different options within building and renovation, and really how to excel our recreation programs on campus.”

— Brittany Rejda, NIRSA Director of Professional Development, AB Show Partner

LET’S GET SOCIAL

All work and no play? Not here! Join us for informal networking, celebration and fun over the course of our three-day event. From the Golf Classic to our Welcome Reception to an Early-Morning Workout, there are ample chances to connect with other attendees. Refer to our “Special Events” tab on the website for more details.

LOOKING AHEAD

Thank you for 40 fantastic years! We’re thrilled for the many years to come, as we continue uniting the industry and propelling it forward — together. AB Show 2022, which takes place Nov. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla., is the one-stop-shop you need to supercharge your success moving into 2023.

In Orlando, you’ll have the chance to build your peer network, test out the latest product and service innovations, learn how to successfully run your facility or program, and much more. Learn about the specific educational sessions, expo hall features and networking opportunities that AB Show has to offer at abshow.com.

Make sure to also mark your calendar for our 2023 gathering in the great city of Baltimore, Md., Nov. 1-4!