AEA E-News June 2012
By Mark Grevelding

AEA E-News is the news you need to know!

• • IAFC 2012 Wrap Up:  Just a memory
  • IAFC 2013:  And the location is?
  • AEA Membership:  New video clips just for members
  • What’s New:  Yes Fitness Music & AEA debuted a new CD at IAFC
  • What’s New:  USA Swimming and TeamUnify join forces to help clubs grow
  • Weekend Events:  October Regional Conferences in CA & NY
  • E-News Feature:  Aqua Stretch is taking the industry by storm
  • Seasonal Eating:  June Foods

All this and more in this edition of AEA E-News!

IAFC 2012: JUST A MEMORY

IAFC 2012 is now just a memory. As the glitter and the ritz of the 25th IAFC celebration fades away, we look back at yet another successful gathering of the AEA global network.  

The conference opened on Monday with a spectacular pool performance orchestrated by Greg Keyes. Stormy weather brought the opening gala inside, but the show went on and how! Kudos to Greg and his team of global leaders for opening the 25th celebration in spectacular fashion.

Tuesday dawned bright with a day of master classes and product demos. The storms returned late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon and sessions and product demos went indoors. Thanks to the professionalism of the session leaders and the enthusiasm of the attendees not a beat was missed. And no one was worried about the weather Wednesday afternoon as they all wanted to be indoors for the opening of the IAFC Expo Hall. As always, a line formed and once the doors opened a swarm of swim suit clad shoppers charged in with coupons in hand. Special thanks to all of the sponsors and vendors for supporting IAFC 2012.

By Thursday morning it was evident to all that the air had changed. The sky emerged partly cloudy and amidst the puffy white clouds were a crisp blue sky and the cherished Florida sun. The weather stayed breezy and gorgeous for the remainder of the conference. The AEA global family, all 700, settled in for lunch late that morning and then headed back to sessions for a full afternoon and evening of education.

On Friday there were two meal functions. Hooray! A brunch filled everyone with enough energy to get through the Friday sessions and by Friday afternoon it seemed like a lot of people were basking in the sun hoping to get a little sun kissed for the Friday evening semi formal and dinner. The Friday evening event was something to behold, with the women in glam gowns and the men decked out in black and white. (I looked like a waiter.) The dinner was enjoyed by all and the dance went well into the evening. Check out the winners of the 2012 Global Awards in the June/July issue of AKWA Magazine.

The final day of the conference ended with a high energy performance by select global leaders and of course the 50/50 drawing. Congrats to Katrien Lemahieu from the Netherlands for going home with a boatload of cash. At the conclusion of the finale, goodbyes were said, hugs were given and tears were shed. Saying goodbye for a year is never easy, but at last we say goodbye to IAFC 2012. Farewell and thanks to all for supporting 25 years of a truly magical conference.

IAFC 2013:  And the Location Is?

Drum roll please!

Oh darn…cancel the drum roll.  Details are not quite finalized for the 2013 IAFC venue.  AEA Executive Director, Angie Proctor, is reviewing proposals as I write this and she said she doesn’t want to jinx anything…so I am not allowed to open my big mouth yet.  Rats…I SO wanted to break this news in E-News. 

Never fear, once the proposals are reviewed and the final host site is selected, a separate email announcement will be sent to all who receive E-News!

Stay Tuned!

Those attending IAFC 2012 may have been curious as to what all the filming was about. AEA staff member and videographer, Troy Nelson and a team of three other videographers spent hours filming some of the world’s best aquatic fitness professionals doing what they do best – teaching top notch aquatic fitness programming.
AEA’s Executive Director, Angie Proctor, organized and directed the filming of these exclusive video quick clips. When are they available, where can you buy them and how much do they cost? These video clips will be available FREE exclusively to AEA Members. They will be posted in the Members Only area of the AEA website.

There were also entire DVDs filmed at IAFC and these 45 minute sessions will be available exclusively in the AEA AKWA Shop for purchase – with exceptional discounts for AEA Members.

AEA Members get ready to log in to the Members Only area of the website to access video clips of cutting edge aquatic fitness programming that will include cardio, choreography, combat aqua, innovative wall work, strength, stretching, mind & body and more. Starting in late June, a couple of video quick clips will be uploaded each month.

Everyone knows that AEA certified instructors are the best in the world – and now AEA certified members will have 24 hour access to free education and choreography – making our instructor base even stronger and better.

AEA deeply appreciates the loyalty and support of our members. As a non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of aquatic fitness worldwide, membership is vital to the fulfillment of the mission. The world needs health, wellness and healing and the world needs someone to lead them to the water. AEA is leading that effort globally. We can double our impact if we double our member base. In order to double the member base, AEA pledges to continue to increase the purpose and value of a membership. The video clips are the first step. Education, awareness and impact will always be central to our mission and thus it is the primary objective of our membership. Aside from staying connected and enjoying access to exclusive AEA education including AKWA Magazine, AEA members also enjoy deep discounts on events and industry related products.

And so the excitement builds, AEA is evolving and membership is enhancing.
COMING SOON! Stay tuned for details on a very special membership drive designed to double our impact.
Start thinking of one person – someone who would appreciate and enjoy the education and value of being a member of an association that is dedicated to aquatic fitness and all the amazing benefits that can be accomplished in the water. The premise is simple – if every AEA member introduces a new member we will double our impact.

Not an AEA Member? Membership has lapsed? Show your support and start enjoying the education and benefits of membership today.

AEA MEMBERSHIP - JOIN NOW

WHAT’S NEW:  AEA & Yes Fitness Music Debut a New Music CD at IAFC

Aqua Celebration

WHAT'S NEW:  USA Swimming & TeamUnify Join Forces to Help Clubs Grow

As USA Swimming launches its Swim Today national recruiting campaign, preferred provider TeamUnify has created a free, self-service tool that will allow all USA Swimming member clubs to capitalize on the attention surrounding swimming this summer.

With the Olympic year upon us, Swim Today is aimed at growing participation in swimming. The campaign website focuses on providing a simple entry point for parents interested in getting their children involved in swimming, whether at the learning, competitive or fitness level. The campaign also features Speedo USA and two-time Olympic gold medalist Summer Sanders.
For more information on the Swim Today initiative, please click on the link below.

Swim Today

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