CWA : Climbing Wall Association

Climbing Wall Summit Schedule & Speakers — As the schedule and speakers are confirmed for the 2008 Summit, schedules will be posted here. Check back regularly for updates! Updated: 04/22/2008

Thursday, May 1st, 2008 — On the first day of the Summit we will explore topics in-depth in half–day and full–day workshops, roundtable discussions, and climbing activities. Additional fees apply to pre–conference workshops. We will open the conference in the evening with a reception at one of the conference venues.

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, May 2nd, 3rd, & 4th, 2008 — On the second, third, and fourth days of the Summit we will offer interspersed periods of structured networking time and interactive workshops. There will be four concurrent workshop sessions of 100 minutes on a variety of topics including: research and trends, business development, marketing, retail development, climbing instruction, standards, risk management, and responsible climbing wall operations. Each day will be infused with special events, activities, entertainment, and other gatherings.

2008 Climbing Wall Summit Plenary Sessions

Keynote Address;
Sponsors' Reception;
Climbing Wall Association Update and Members Meeting (current members only);
Entertainment.

Full-Day and Half-Day Summit Workshop Offerings, May 1st, 2008.

CWA/AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification, John Bicknell, Total Climbing (2 1/2 days pre);
Interactive Legal Laboratory – Participant Agreements & Releases, Charles R. Gregg, Attorney at Law;
Climbing Gym Start-up Planning, Cort Gariepy, Rockwerx;
Using Movement Instruction for Member Retention, Dan Hague, Climbing Wall Management;
Training Your Routesetters, C. Danielson, Thread Climbing;
How to Spice up Your Gym's Routesetting, Mike Helt, Routesetter.com;
Climbing Program Design and Implementation, Heather Reynolds, Consultant;
Emergency Response and Rescue for Climbing Walls, Ed Crothers, Total Climbing;
CWA/AMGA Climbing Wall Certification Provider Course, John Bicknell, Total Climbing (2 days post);

2008 Summit Workshop Offerings, May 2 — 4, 2008

As conference workshop proposals are accepted, this page will be updated. Below is a listing of this year's workshops. Each of these sessions will be 100 minutes in length and varying formats from lecture to roundtable dicussion.

The Culture of Fear: Recognizing and Managing your Clients' Expectations, Robert Angell, Angell Law Offices, LLC;
Rolling Stones, Charles "Reb" Gregg, Attorney at Law, RebGregg.com;
Employment Law 101, Michael Beck, Attorney at Law, Nadesan Beck, PC;
Marketing – Customers... Get Them & Keep Them!, Eric Curtis, MetroRock;
Business Planning for Start Up or Expansion, Cort Gariepy, Rockwerx;
How to be an Effective Head Routesetter, Mike Helt, Routesetter.com;
Real Time Incident Tracking & Immediate Program Adjustment, Dave Secunda, Avid4 Adventure;
Climbing Gym Maintenance & Systems Inspections, John McGowan, Eldorado Wall Company;
Professional Climbing Gym Layout & Design, Steve Holmes, Eldorado Wall Company;
Climbing Gym Facilities of the Future, Timy Fairfield, Professional Rock Climber;
Autobelay Devices: Selection, Use, Mounting & Management; Joseph Feldstein, Rose/MSA;
CYA – Tips, Tricks, and Traps, Nate Postma, Nicros;
A European Perspective on Design, Innovation, & Trends in Profitable Gyms, Travis Mashin, Walltopia USA;
Auto Belay Risk Management, Jason Noble, Vertical Endeavors;
Training Options on Treadwalls, Andy Raether, Brewer's Ledge;
Strength Training & Its Role in the Climbing Gym, Darren Flagg, Animal Strength, LLC;
Artificial to Outdoor: the Art of Making the Transition, Pat Mackin, Vertical Endeavors;
Hiring and Maintaining Quality Employees, Scott Williams, Vertical Endeavors;
Roundtable: Does Quality Routesetting have Value to Customers?, Mike Helt, Routesetter.com;
Roundtable – Birds of a Feather: On The Road to Opening a Gym, Jon Lachelt;
Gym Management Software -- Getting What You Want, Dan Hague, Climbing Wall Management;
Web 2.0 Your Climbing Gym, Ray Snead, bluetrope consulting;
How Your Junior Team Can Help Lobby Congress, Charlie Boas, The Access Fund;
Climbing for Special Populations, Malcolm Daly, No Barriers USA & Paradox Sports;
Everthing Insurance Roundtable, Chris Van Leeuwen, Stratus Insurance Services;
Growing a Business — Avoiding a Limted Growth Company, Rich Johnston, Vertical World;
Maximize Your Gym's Exposure: The ABC's of Media Coverage, Lisa Raleigh, Rock & Ice Magazine;
Competition Climbing Forum, Chris Danielson, Trango;
Industry Practices Third Edition What's New, Dan Hague, Climbing Wall Management;
Un–answerable Climbing Gear Questions, Kolin Powick, Black Diamond Equipment;
Quo Vadis, A discussion of what I don't know but would like to, Dave Custer, MIT & UIAA;
Gear & Loathing: More Stories of Overuse, Abuse, and Salvation of Gym Climbing Gear, Casey Newman, Trango;
Belayer Behavior, Peter Popall, Technical Director, Petzl France;
Team Building & Climbing Facilities, Tami Nelson, Sun Country Sports Center;

Special Offer for Summit Attendees! May 5th – 7th, 2008

Total Climbing will be offering the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course the week after to the Summit. The Course will be offered May 5th through 7th in Boulder. Summit registrants are eligible for a discount on this course! The regular price for the Single Pitch Course is $450, but only $430 for Summit registrants. More information about the course can be found HERE. Please contact Scott Rennak at Total Climbing to register for this course at: 303-865-3604 or srennak@totalclimbing.com.

A Climbing Wall Association Event.