Planning a new facility or renovating an existing one can be a daunting task — between getting community support and needed funding to choosing an architect and finding the right equipment and solutions to outfit that facility, it's enough to make your head spin!
To help you get started, we've laid out three elements that build a solid foundation to a successful building or renovation project:
1. Connect with the right people
The cutting-edge designs found within this Architectural Showcase issue are a great place to start looking for ideas for your project, but it's making connections with leading architects and your athletic, fitness and recreation peers that will help turn these ideas into reality. "I made some really great connections that I'm positive will be beneficial to us in our building process as we prepare to fill our building with the equipment and necessities to run fantastic programs," said Keri Sullivan, program director of Randolph Recreation in Randolph, Mass., after attending an industry trade show. The right connections can help you successfully incorporate the latest trends, innovations and designs while avoiding mistakes.
2. Listen to what the experts have to say
Ken Weinaug, executive director of Jack Link's Aquatic & Activity Center in Minong, Wis., commented on an educational conference he attended last November, "I used my notes from an architectural presentation to build out a budget based on the benchmarks they provided." Arming yourself with the knowledge required to plan for and design a building or renovation project, as well as garner community support for it, is critical. Make sure you find an educational platform through which you can learn from experts on both the technical and practical sides.
3. Get hands-on experience with products
Attending a recent industry event, Taylor Kent, wellness coordinator at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, said, "It was really great to meet with the vendors and have some deeper conversations with them &mdas; to help guide us as we plan ahead for our building project." Industry trade shows are the perfect place to explore options and connect with leading manufacturers.
What do Sullivan, Weinaug and Kent have in common? They all attended AB Show 2016 as VIP Hosted Buyers involved in building or renovation projects within their respective communities. Year after year, AB Show brings together all three elements in one single location: more than 160,000 square feet of cutting-edge athletic and fitness solutions, 130-plus educational sessions taught by experts, and networking events designed to connect athletic, fitness, recreation and military professionals to the manufacturers who can provide the solutions they need.
Kate Rampone, marketing associate with AB Media, Inc.
This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of Athletic Business with the title "AB Show: Your Blueprint to a Successful Project." Athletic Business is a free magazine for professionals in the athletic, fitness and recreation industry. Click here to subscribe.
