As fitness enthusiasts and industry professionals converged at the event, several key trends emerged that provide valuable insights into the current state and future direction of the fitness industry in LATAM, and I am proud to say ABC Evo is already on the forefront of several of the developments and trends being discussed. Some of my key observations are as follows.  

The Vibrant Return of a Booming Market 

After a period of rebounding and adaptation, the Latin American fitness market has come back stronger than ever. The IHRSA Brazil Show of 2023 highlighted a remarkable resurgence, signaling that the industry is experiencing a vibrant boom. Unlike the recent previous years, where uncertainties loomed, this year’s event was marked by a palpable sense of energy and optimism. Attendance was notably high, reflecting the renewed interest in and investment in the fitness sector across the region. 

Embracing Technology: Data-Driven Growth 

The IHRSA Brazil Show of 2023 unveiled a powerful undercurrent of technological innovation, with big data emerging as the cornerstone of growth for fitness businesses across LATAM. In several sessions, the spotlight was on cutting-edge technologies like ChatGPT and machine learning and their potential to revolutionize gym operations, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) being the predominant topic in more than a half a dozen sessions.    

Data analytics has emerged as the compass guiding business decisions, providing invaluable insights into member behavior, preferences, and trends.  By harnessing data, gyms can tailor their offerings to cater to individual needs, optimize services, and chart a path to sustainable success.  Data is now the major component fueling growth, and so demand for insights that drive better, faster decisions is on the rise. 

It was, therefore, timely that at IHRSA Brazil 2023, ABC Evo unveiled Evo Insights to become the first integrated club management platform with business intelligence solutions in the LATAM Market.  EVO Insights is a data reporting/DWaaS (Data Warehouse-as-a-Service) solution that provides a 360-degree view of a business by profit center, location, member segment, and more, with one-click analysis for improved decision-making.  Leveraging the ABC Fitness technology infrastructure and data from over 2,600 clubs, it is a real-life example of how we are accelerating delivery of innovation with our comprehensive and integrated suite of solutions..   

Reigniting Member Engagement in the Post-Pandemic Era 

As gyms become busy again, there was a lot of buzz and enthusiasm to reignite the engagement that defines the fitness community. The IHRSA Brazil Show of 2023 highlighted a dynamic exchange of ideas on how to keep members connected, motivated, and committed to their fitness journeys. Among the strategies discussed, social media stood out, particularly due to its pivotal role in reaching and engaging Gen Z customers, who are increasingly forming the majority of membership.  Fitness providers explored how platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok could be harnessed to track member engagement and manage the gym’s reputation.  

Creating an online fitness community not only fosters a sense of belonging but also allows gyms to share success stories and deliver valuable content that resonates beyond the gym walls. 

The new ABC Evo CRM solution announced at IHRSA Brazil 2023 includes tools to incorporate social media tracking into a club’s customer relations management strategy.  It allows club owners to harness the power of social media to listen and monitor trends and individual members’ activities to better align with their values, needs, and preferences.  

In Conclusion 

The IHRSA Brazil Show of 2023 revealed a fitness industry in Latin America that is not only bouncing back from challenges but also embracing the latest trends with fervor. The revival of the market’s vibrancy, coupled with an increased focus on technology and data, highlights the industry’s commitment to innovation and growth. Furthermore, the emphasis on member engagement through social media underscores the industry’s evolution in response to changing member preferences and behavior. 

As the fitness landscape in LATAM continues to evolve, a blend of technological integration, data analytics, and creative engagement strategies will be key to thriving in the new era of fitness.  

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The Associate Member of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize an IHRSA Member for their significant contributions to the advancement of the health club industry, as well as their their support of IHRSA, its members and its mission through program and event participation, advertising and sponsorship.

ABC Financial, Inc., an IHRSA member since 1986, was selected as this year’s honoree due to their decades of outstanding achievements, innovations and support of the health and fitness industry, their continued investment in leading-edge technology, marketing programs and software solutions, and their unwavering support of IHRSA and its members. “We are happy to honor our good friends at ABC Financial for their long-standing support of IHRSA, and for the important work they do every day to help club owners better understand their members and improve their businesses,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA President and CEO.

“On behalf of the entire ABC family, I would like to thank IHRSA for this prestigious honor. We understand this award is a reflection of our ability to provide club management software and payment processing services that helps our clients succeed. We are truly honored to receive this award from IHRSA for 2014”, said Steve Ayers, Chief Revenue Officer of ABC Financial.

The award will be presented during IHRSA 2014, the association’s 33rd Annual International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, California, March 12-15.

The IHRSA Awards Program seeks to “recognize, celebrate, and inspire.” For more information about IHRSA’s annual industry awards, including prior recipients, please visit IHRSA.org/awards.

About ABC Financial

ABC Financial serves approximately 4,700 clubs with approximately two million members throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit abcfinancial.com.

About IHRSA

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, racquet and sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide. IHRSA and the health club industry will convene March 12-15, 2014 in San Diego, California for IHRSA 2014, the association’s 33rd Annual International Convention & Trade Show.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark., (March 18, 2013) – ABC Financial Services, the leading provider of software and billing in the Health and Fitness Industry, announced the release of new enhancements to its DataTrak software. ABC will demonstrate these features, for the first time, at the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) trade show in Las Vegas, March 19-21.

“Being the industry leader, we have the responsibility to continually enhance our software to give our clients the ability to maximize revenue and perform their job more efficiently. Our client’s success continues to be our top priority”, said Steve Ayers, Chief Revenue Office at ABC Financial. “These enhancements further solidify our commitment to the health and fitness industry,” said Ayers.

Software updates on display will be:

1. MYiCLUBonline Mobile Membership Sales – With MYiCLUBonline, memberships can be sold anytime/anywhere. Using a tablet, a potential member can enter their address or pick a spot on a map to locate the closest facility. Once they choose from membership plans available, the new member can enter basic data billing information and select additional add-ons. They can review their information and sign the contract by using only their finger. New members can easily comment on social media about your club, enroll in MYiCLUBonline and book an orientation session.

2. Capture Point of Sale Signatures Electronically in DataTrak – Using a completely paperless procedure, signatures can be electronically captured for credit card purchases, club account charges and pre-pays. Signatures are stored on the receipt and can be accessed, re-printed or emailed anytime.

About ABC Financial
Launched in 1981, ABC Financial has revolutionized software and payment processing for the health and fitness industry. Headquartered in the Little Rock, Ark. area, ABC Financial serves approximately 4,200 clubs with approximately two million members throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The company’s innovative club management software, DataTrak, is the most complete web-based software in the health and fitness industry.

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CONTACT:
Steve Ayers
Chief Revenue Officer, ABC Financial
501-515-5066
steve.ayers@abcfinancial.com

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