fitness expo promotes fitness and prssa - webs · of getting 20 vendors to participate in our expo....
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IMPRESSIONSPR Advancing the Profession and The Future Professional Fitness Expo Issue
In This Issue
Vendors make a fundraiserFitness boot campHow to plan an event
Editor-in-ChiefSergio Paris
Contributing Writers
Joy Austin Lauren OpeltCarissa Caricato
If you would like to write for the newsletter, contact Sergio Paris at [email protected]
University of South Florida4202 E. Fowler Ave
CIS 3014-DTampa, FL 33620
http://www.ctr.usf.edu/prssawww.freewebs.com/prssausf
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From live performances that blasted though the speakers to the Sporty fashion show, OnTheGo Fitness Expo had the USF Recreation Center brimming with enthusiastic energy on Thursday, November 8.
While many students came for the free food and drinks, which were abundant, they stayed for the entertainment, raffles, radio giveaways and many other exciting events.
Much more than the traditional information session, OnTheGo Fitness Expo provided students with opportunities to network, gain information on a variety of venues and socialize with friends, while having a good time.
Decked out with an inflatable stage and numerous ornately-designed tables, the upper gym of the USF Recreation Center was the setting for the Expo. Knowledgeable representatives from a variety of companies and organizations provided information, prizes and additional goodies for everyone that stopped by.
The Expo showcased celebrity personal trainer Kent Buckner. It’s not often that students meet and mingle with someone who actually helps celebrities look their best. Students also vied for an opportunity to purchase or win Buckner’s latest workout CD, “Balance Body System.” The CD provides an audio guide to fitness for people with busy lifestyles.
Other valuable items that were raffled included club level Tampa Bay Lightning tickets, Lightening fan memorabilia, Starbucks goodies, free CardioTease classes, complimentary testing classes from KAPLAN Test Prep and Admissions, and gift bags from the makers of Hoodia Products that were actually given to celebrities at the last MTV movie awards and valued at approximately $600!
The fact that most students spotted leaving the gym between the hours of noon and 6 p.m. that day had smoothies in their hands and smiles on their faces showed the success of OnTheGo Fitness Expo.
Fitness Expo Promotes Fitness and PRSSABy LoRin Bullara
Celebrity Fitness Trainer, Kent Buckner
Emma Hauser with Marine Corps representatives
USF PRSSA Executive Board 2007-2008
President Theresa Sharkey [email protected]
Vice President Carissa Caricato [email protected]
Secretary Torianne Valdez [email protected]
Director of Finances Amanda Tucker [email protected]
Director of Member Services Meg Roberts [email protected]
Director of Special Events Monique Salazar [email protected]
ImPRessions Editor-in-Chief Sergio Paris [email protected]
Faculty Advisor Bob Batchelor [email protected]
PRSA Professional Advisor Debbie Lum [email protected]
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Sponsors Make Expo Possible, SuccessfulBy Joy Austin
The first PRSSA OnTheGo Fitness Expo rolled into USF’s Recreation Center Upper Gym, reminding us that it’s time to dust off our shoes, check out the latest health products and services, and obtain information on various services.
In its first year, OnTheGo Fitness Expo showcased more than 25 vendors. The event served as a key resource in finding out what’s new in the health and fitness industry. Students could also ask questions from local businesses, retail stores and student services, as well as take part in other attractions. These many opportunities made this a fantastic event for all students, regardless of fitness level.
“There are so many businesses and services that I have never heard of, but now I will definitely go to them because I got to try out their food or they gave me coupons,” said engineering major Brian Ferraro. “I can honestly say that I never imagined seeing a strip tease business, a health food store and a blindness prevention company all in one room.”
The Expo featured a long list of exhibitors. There were major health clubs, tanning salons, food stores, student organizations and many more. Sponsors handed out free samples, coupons and information packets about their businesses or organizations. There were also fitness competitions sponsored by the Marine Corps and a fashion show provided by Bucs and Bulls Heaven, Hibbett Sports and Finish Line. Radio 95.7 The Beat offered the music.
“We will definitely be working with PRSSA again for other functions, and I am so happy we came,” said Peter from Edible Arrangements. “The entire experience has been excellent, from the students to the other vendors.”
Other highlights included giveaways from Hoodia, Tampa Bay Lightning ticket raffles and performances by local bands.
PRSSA thanks all of the sponsors who were present at the Fitness Expo. Without you, this event would not have been possible!
Jimmy John’s Subs provided free subs at the Expo
Representatives from USF Student Health Services
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Sponsors Make Expo Possible, SuccessfulBy Joy Austin
As a kick-off to the first OnTheGo Fitness Expo, hosted by the USF PRSSA Walter E. Griscti Chapter, the Kick Butt Fitness Boot Camp took place on Wednesday, November 7. The boot camp offered a free group training session with celebrity trainer Kent Buckner. The event began at 5 p.m.and lasted an hour, fueled by music provided by WBUL radio. The event gave students a taste of what it takes to be in celebrity-perfect shape.
To warm up, Buckner asked students to participate in the Cha Cha dance. Thankful for the setting sun and chill in the air, Buckner instructed the students to begin his specialized techniques with a series of drills, which included sprints up and down the field, followed by lunge kicks, more sprints and partner squats. The difficult workout exhausted the group of students who took part, but Buckner allowed for a short, two-minute break, which allowed the students to drink water provided by PRSSA.
The students were then back to sprinting down the field, then doing more sit-ups. Meanwhile, PRSSA members Jessica Sturges and Carissa Caricato filmed the action for Buckner’s MySpace site and were able to catch close-ups of the rosy- cheeked students in action.
Back in action, Buckner divided students into three circuits requiring jumping jacks, sprints and up-downs. The final activity, consisting of three teams facing off, was a push-up and endurance competition.
Open to all students, the event attracted approximately 20 eager enthusiasts who received the once-in-a-lifetime experience held at the field behind the USF Recreation Center. Afterward, healthy snacks, including granola bars, fruit, vegetables and cheese bites, were provided to the participants.
Kick Butt Boot Camp Kicks Off Fitness ExpoBy Lauren Opelt
Tim Daley pushes for one more push-up at the Kick Butt Fitness Boot Camp
(Front left to right) Jessica Summers, Emma Hauser, Lauren Opelt and Elana Galerman dance the Cha-Cha to warm up
Kick Butt Fitness Boot Camp participants pose for a photo after their workout
IMPRESSIONSPR Fitness Expo Issue
Thinking Creatively: Planning a Successful Fundraiser for PRSSABy Carissa CaricatoPlanning for an event starts with a small idea, which then grows into something bigger than imagined. The first OnTheGo Fitness Expo event committee meeting in September took on a life of its own in a brainstorming session among the eight PRSSA members.
We wanted to plan an event that would raise awareness of fitness, health, and wellness, as well as promote a celebrity fitness trainer, all while also promoting our PRSSA chapter. Ideas quickly evolved into getting several vendors lined up, hiring musical entertainers, attracting the participation of a local radio station, creating a sporty fashion show, developing a Web site, hosting a fitness boot camp, and conducting fitness contests at the event. We had many ideas and high hopes, but limited time to plan and orchestrate such an undertaking. On our side, however, stood a group of dedicated, hard-working individuals who each tackled a specific task.
Since celebrity personal trainer Kent Buckner created workout CDs titled Balance Body System- Workout On-the-Go, we decided to name our event “OnTheGo Fitness Expo.” The event would showcase businesses in the Tampa area that sold healthy food, promoted healthy products, or encouraged fitness. We set a goal of getting 20 vendors to participate in our expo. We accomplished our target, resulting in 25 businesses at the Expo including: Juice Zone, Smoothie King, Edible Arrangements, Abby’s Health Food, Prevent Blindness Florida, Marine Training, Nutrition Grove, Shapes and USF Health.
Our first step included designing a logo to put on banners, flyers, letters to potential sponsors, and any other marketing materials. Other marketing and public relations ideas included: two wooden advertisements on campus for two weeks, a banner near the food court, flyers, small invitations to student organizations and classes, Bull Market promotions for two weeks, Note-A-Bull news sent to the entire student body, and an article in the Oracle.
While every committee member focused on securing vendors and sponsors for the event, each person took on a particular aspect of the event. While someone worked on designing marketing materials, someone else focused on the technology aspect, including video footage, interviews for the Web site, and a PowerPoint presentation of the vendors for the event. One person worked on organizing a fashion show, including getting a runway, finding models, and picking out the clothes from local clothing stores. The sponsors were Finish Line, Hibbett Sports and Bulls Heaven. Someone else contacted local musicians to perform during the event, while another person contacted the radio station and student newspaper to cover the event. Others worked with student
organizations, and many PRSSA members helped get hockey tickets and other raffle items. The event proved to be successful because of the initiative each person took to accomplish their respective jobs.
After two months of planning, marketing and hustling, OnTheGo Fitness Expo took place on November 8, 2007, at the USF Recreation Center Upper Gym. The all-day event turned out to be a great success for our chapter. It was exciting to see all of our hard work pay off in the end – beginning with an idea, talking about it with others and then turning it into reality by taking baby steps toward the goal. A key component of orchestrating a successful event is to have a plan and not be afraid to change it as necessary. Event planning is all in the details -- the ever-changing details. Be creative, but most importantly: HAVE FUN!
Planet Beach’s Booth at the Fitness Expo
Fitness Expo Issue
Joy Austin and Lauren Murley help with raffles and giveaways
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PRSSA Thanks the Vendors Present at OnTheGo Fitness Expo
Fitness Expo Issue
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Other Vendors at OnTheGo Fitness Expo:Kent BucknerNutrition GroveUSF GymAbby’s Health FoodsCollege of Public HealthStudent Health Annex
Fitness Expo Issue