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What is ECA? Press Bios What They Say About Us |
WHO WE ARE - TESTIMONIALS HI Carol, Thank you so much for the recap. We had a wonderful time this year, AGAIN! I came with a group of 15 between our three gyms. We made many new friends, including some of the ECA/OBOW staff, fellow family ECA members, and even an employee or two from the Marriott. We never stopped smiling, laughing, working out, or learning for all three days that we were there. I brought my 2 nieces with me this year, which was very special, because one of them just hit her 100 LB loss 2 months ago. My promise and her goal (by Christmas) was lose 100 and hit ECA/OBOW! Angie Bunch, Cheyanne, and many other instructors made her even more proud of reaching her goal. After participating in all different types of classes, she now wants to certify to teach, and help others. Another caring instructor, that is what I think ECA/OBOW is all about. Thank you for organizing the best family reunion I have been too! Maryellen Ripoll Point Pleasant, NJ Hi Carol, Just wanted to thank you for the great job you guys did with the conference! It is a pleasure to be a part of it all. I always come away exhausted but energized with renewed hope and dreams for fitness and LIFE!! I wanted to tell you that I wore my ECA shirt to teach today and also used the music from "Working Girl" including Carly Simon's "Let the river run!". The entire class sang along as I pointed out those magical words on my shirt "Let the dreamers wake the nation!" Yes, I think Carly would be proud! Thanks so much and I hope to be a part of the ECA in Miami this fall! Best always! Dan Hogan hi carol I tried to find you so I can meet you in person and congratulate you for all this beautiful effort and work you are making for the fitness and health industry. I am at airport right now ready to go back HOME to south America after 3 amazing days at the eca. The organization was perfect, the classes, the workshops, the conferences, the teachers, Amazing! and all of them with a very high level of knowledge. I took all my classes great experiences and i have in my head a lot of new things to share with my students and the teachers at my studio. I cant wait to start teaching and sharing all what i have learned with my people!! Thank you once again and I am so happy that I could make it to new york A big hug and keep WORKING.....YOU ARE THE BEST!! DOLLY Carol, I have to say you and your staff did an outstanding job this year with the ECA event -- you should be so proud! I genuinely had the best time in years at your convention this time -- lost of diversity, friendly staff, very organized. The presenters were diverse, informative, interesting, and fun. I had the pleasure of taking classes with Molly Fox, Alyssa Watts, Kim Karushar, Abbie Appel, Ellie Herman, Stacy Lei Krauss, and the TRX team demos, to name a few. I truly enjoyed myself -- what a boost it was! The one presenter/ class that REALLY stood out for me was ROBERT STEINBACHER. His BODYARTS Strength class was a unique fusion that was challenging, creative, remarkable, OUTSTANDING -- I can't say enough!! He did not have any DVDs available and said the best way to get them (in English rather than German) was through you. PLEASE send me the info RE: his DVDS when they become available as well as any info updates re: them teaching their BodyArts classes in NYC. Thank you again for a wonderful time at ECA this year. Liz Mallon Hi Carol This was my first ECA event and it was an absolutely amazing time! I enjoyed the whole weekend! The instructors we so inspirational and just incredible! Great Job! Patricia Bode Hi Carol, I just wanted to send you a heartfelt thank you for having me at ECA again this year. As always, it was a fabulous convention and I had a wonderful time. It is such an honor and a joy to present at ECA. The staff and volunteers are amazing and the classes offered are always top notch. I actually heard a few people "complain" that they were having difficulty choosing their classes because there were so many amazing instructors and classes to choose from. That, in itself, is quite a compliment to you! I would love to be considered for MIA this year if you are still looking for instructors. I do look forward to seeing you again and hopefully the opportunity to present at ECA again. Thank you again, Cheyenne Hi Carol, I just completed the survey, but I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you, Gary, and all of your staff for putting together yet another amazing event! ALL of the presenters were amazing and the variety of workshops fantastic. I had to think about how many ECA's events I have been to, and I want to say 17! Could that be??? Either way- it amazes me that each event is as good or better than the one before. Thank you. True teachers, trainers, instructors teach and care about individuals and about bringing creative, safe, and authentic workouts to our participants. Looking forward to many more ECA events to come! Take care, Rene Lund Dear Carol, I attended the ECA/OBOW convention in NYC this past weekend and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Not only were the presenters fantastic but the convention was run so professionally by your staff. No matter which class I attended, I was greeted with a friendly smile. Your support staff was wonderful, from the day I checked in at pre-registration to dismissing us after workshops. They were very friendly and helpful. It was one of the best well-run, organized events I have ever been to. Thanks to you and your staff I will definitely be at the next convention! Best wishes, Marie Roberts Dear Carol and Gary, I just returned from the convention in Miami few days ago and want to take a moment to thank you for making it such a worthwhile experience. I know you spent many months planning the event--and it showed. The workshops and lectures were very interesting and very helpful. I am especially pleased that a lot of classes were big on spine and posture-related problems - this is something I always considered to be very important. Next year's organizers will have their hands full trying to equal the quality of this year's event. Thanks to you I feel like I have got into a new level as a fitness professional. Once again, congratulations on a very successful event. This was my first ECA event and I am looking forward to attending many more. I hope that you will keep updating me on ECA's activity! Sincerely, Ausra Navickaite Personal Trainer Carol, I wanted you to know what a great weekend I had in Miami. I was a volunteer attending my very first ECA conference. I really appreciated the friendliness of many of the staff and head volunteers. Kyle and Chris were wonderful on Wednesday. Who knew we would have a great time moving steps and inflating balls?? I worked with Curtis, Chris and Wesley on Friday and they all made it a fun experience with many laughs and memories to bring home. Most of my "play" time was spent on the 18th floor in the stand by line in the Spinning room where I got to meet loads of people and had a good time with Brie. I had a fabulous time with Scott and Josh in the Spinning room- I can't get enough of either of them. I then went to a Kranking class and loved it so I signed up for the Super Saturday with Johnny G and the Kranking Team. Again - fabulous! I can't get enough of Johnny G creations!! Thank you! Emily Borden Hi Lilli, You should be taking a much needed day off after the end of the conference, but I just wanted to let you know what a great experience presenting at ECA Thrive was! From start to finish it was extremely well organized, the volunteers were great, and the people attending were happy and excited. Besides presenting my workshops, I also assisted in workshops that Peak Pilates had on the schedule, and the volunteers for that room were also amazing, as was the sound system. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to present this year. I hope that you get good feedback from people in my classes. I know that the NY conference for 2009 is already booked out with presenters, but I will definitely be applying for Miami Thrive 2009. I hope you get some rest! regards, Connie Borho, Director Balance Pilates & Yoga Centers Peak Pilates Level III Teacher Trainer 7463 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 (941) 794-5060 www.balancepilatesandyoga.com Hi Carol, I've been in this business for over 20 years and have attended many conferences. In attending past conferences I've always looked at it as a treat for me, rather than a learning experience. Someone gets to tell me what to do for a change, you know? This was the first conference, ever, that I felt like I really learned some new, creative, yet applicable exercises. I particularly liked the focus on functional training as that is what I've been practicing for quite some time now. My club has an older population and we don't do a lot of choreography. So I loved the new bosu softball workout, mindy's med ball and disc workout as well as the functional training with the body bar. I only was able to attend two yoga classes (Sherman's and the Athletic yoga), but they were both awesome! The spinning is always good. The trade show was great, I spent over $400 there and I thought everything was very well organized (loved the fact that you had staff at each session checking badges and the stand by line was a great idea, rather than having to get a ticket change). The hotel, as I'm sure you've heard, did not have near enough food selection and availability. I didn't want to leave the conference site at all, but was forced to because the choice for dining was very limited. Loved your t-shirts (bought the camo).maybe it might be nice to offer coffee and fruit each morning and just work that into our conference price. Anyway, you guys were most gracious as hosts of a fabulous conference that was not only a great physical workout, but a very mental approach to fitness as well. Look forward to attending another one soon - maybe New York. Trish Phillips Fitness & Aquatics Director Glenmore Country Club Dear Carol, I have been a fitness instructor and personal trainer for over 16years. I manage a club and am fortunate enough to make fitness my full time job. I have been going to all different conferences (including many ECA's) since 1992. I just want to take the opportunity to tell you that this was the best conferenceexperience I have ever had - bar none. Every detail; from the new Thursday night sessions, to the session selections on the back of the name tags, the notes on DVD, the kind and contientious staff and volunteers and of course, the presenters- were amazing. It isso obvious that you listen to the evaluations and really try to be creative and accomodating. The variety of sessions reflects the trends in the industry but still stays true to the basics. You help make me a better instructor and that is so important to me. This entire week my students have approached me and made comments about what a great time I must have had because of my renewed energy. I could only agree. Today I had a student tell me that I seem like I've been inspired and this year I truly was- over and over again. Thank you for being on the cutting edge of our industry, thank you for taking the time and the energy to focus on our environment and last but not least thank you for the three day endorphin high! Sincerely, Melanie Melillo Hi Carol - I just wanted to give you some positive feedback! I really like this on line stuff! I'm printing the outlines for the sessions I'm registered fro and the ones I want to Stand By for, and will bring just those with me. It's so much nicer than getting the big book with a lot of paper I didn't need! What a way to "go green"! Thanks! Amy Jessup Hi Carol, Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had at ECA this weekend. Thank you so much for pre-registering me. I'm on information overload right now, but completely excited and inspired by it all. You and your staff did an amazing job organizing the event and delivering a first class conference. I am passing the word on to my fitness colleagues. Thanks SO much for your kindness. It was great. Next year, I'm registering early and attending some of the special events scheduled. Jenny Ayanian Shipe BR> Hi Carol, Thank you for a great workshop, you made me understand that I am doing the right things with my position and also gave me some great ideas to take my department even further. I also wanted to thank you for a great convention, this was one of the best to date. Please bring back Christiane Reiter, she is my new idol. All I need in life to keep me happy is Christiane, Calvin and Robert Steinbacher. These three presenters truly embody creativity, knowledge and excitement. Again, thank you. Lorna DeVeaux Dear Carol, Thank you again for the fantastic convention in Florida!!! It was awesome. At first we thought...new location, where do we go, how are we going to get around.....uncertain on what to expect, WE LOVED IT!!!!!! The sessions were fantastic as ever, we met and spoke to more of the attendees than ever, guess 'cause it was so small, it was actually very nice...more personal in a way that was really nice and enjoyable! Being back in London is not fun, autumn now so all the trees are changing color,it is nice, but I would give anything for warm summer weather!!!! So on my jog Saturday in the park my mind just kept going back to Fort Lauderdale and all the fun we had there....I am so excited about New York already, even if it's going to be cold, hey it's ECA!!!!!! Like Mindy said 'There's those who makes it happen, there's those who watch it happen and there's those who wonder what happened'... ECA MAKES IT HAPPEN!!! Thank you again for such a fantastic convention!! Kind Regards Colette Hi Guys- Hope this finds you well and perhaps able to relax a little now that it's all over (well for a few moments at least then I guess you go full on for Miami!) I can't thank you enough for having me on your roster at the weekend, it's always such an honour to be selected and a joy to work with your ECA team and the other presenters you assemble. Once again, the energy this year was amazing, you really seem to generate an attitude amongst the delegates that simply doesn't exist at other events. They are so hungry, so eager and really help to push me as a presenter to give them 101%. I love it more than any other event I visit. I really am still a little gobsmacked by the award, you guys are way too kind to me. I truly feel flattered just to be part of your line up of illustrious names, presenters I personally admire and who inspire me. So to be recognised amongst such a group means more to me than I can verbalise, honestly, Saturday was the highlight of my 21yrs in the industry. Thank you so much. Apologies for the rubbish acceptance speech, but in true oscar style, I really didn't think I had a chance of winning, so hadn't thought what I might say! It was all I could do to hold off a full Halle Berry moment!! I did mention to a few people that I was thinking this would be my last event but the overwhelmingly positive response from the delegates I spoke to (and the most amazingly touching emails I've received from a few since) has got me thinking perhaps it would be nice to make it a round 10 next year. A decade of ECA-NYC, now that would be special. What do you think, would I be outstaying my welcome if I asked for a chance to bow out and end 15yrs presenting with a final fling at ECA-NYC 08??? Love to you and yours, DEAN This was my first ECA event and I loved every minute of it! I have attended 20 years of conferences on the west coast and found the ECA conference to be one of my best experiences. Warren, from Florida, has been trying to get me to ECA for years. I now understand what he has been talking about all these years. I loved the site and the hotel, what a great experience. I will be back next year, it is on my calendar ! ! ! ! I found the presenters the best in the industry and the whole experience surpassed my expectations. I loved the small size of the classes, the closeness with the presenters and their non diva attitudes. What a treat! They seemed to care we were in their classes. I did not have one class that was not worth my trip to New York from California. Your staff was very helpful and Marty went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed. It was beyond what I had hoped it would be. Thank you, thank you, thank you... Teresa Estill Los Gatos, Ca Hello Carol, I hope you are well. Just a BIG Thank You again for the fantastic convention in New York!!! It just gets better and better each year!!! So much we could fit in this year, the 15min gap you're allowed to have between sessions allows you to do more! Great! The presenters was as usual AWESOME! I didn't even think of the cold. I was so glad to see the leaflet next year is still in New York !!!whoohoo!!! I really get a boost after attending the conventions, all the new ideas, and just the fun of attending. I have to say the DRUMS ALIVE was fantastic, made you feel like a kid again. But then again you can't single one session out, they were all fantastic!!!! Thank you so much for the ongoing education we receive from your conferences, when one is done I am already looking forward to the next. Thank you again for the wonderful convention!!! Kind Regards Colette Dear Carol, It was such a pleasure to roll into the conference Sunday morning and be so warmly welcomed by Susan Kasper and everyone on staff. It was great to meet you. The rest of my brief day there was wonderful - Not only did I teach, but I got some AWESOME new sneakers and had a great time! ;) I thoroughly enjoyed everyone I met. But the most enjoyable part of all for me was the fantastic level of studentship and enthusiasm present in the attendees that took my workshop. I believe this must be a reflection of how events like ECA have helped to raise the bar for fitness professionals across the country in recent years. Not to mention how friendly and professional all the room staff were, particularly Maryjo and Ben, who were with us in the Empire room. I have attended many conferences, and I was so impressed by how well-done this one was, on so many levels. Thank you again for everything you did to make it happen and for inviting me to be a part of it. I look forward to working with ECA again. All blessings, Amy Ippoliti Wildspirit Yoga http://www.wildspirityoga.com What can I say other than I LOVE YOU! Thank you so much for everything. You have created something awesome and it just keeps getting better. The level of talent, expertise and variety you offer is unparallel. I am honored that you have chosen me to be a part of these inspiring and life changing weekends. I am proud to be affiliated with an organization that not only offers the best of the best of instruction but also stands in integrity, utilizing it's voice to create a better world for all of us. You have shown me so much love, I don't know what to do with it all. I had a blast this weekend. Thank you again for proving an amazing platform and the opportunity for me to live my dream. I am truly blessed! Namaste, Misty Tripoli Nike Elite Instructor Hello Carol hope you are well. I'm back in a cold and rainy London after a lovely time in Florida. The ECA Miami convention was fantastic this year. My friend and I have attended the ECA conventions for the last 3 years New York and Miami. We both agreed that this one has been the best so far, don't know what is was but we really enjoyed it and have so much new things to take home and use, we both feel so motivated and inspired! Thank You!! The sessions were fantastic (options) didn't have a moment to stand around.Thank you for your time and again for the fantastic conventions..hope they never end!! Have a good day Kind Regards Colette Hey Guys, I just wanted to tell you how wonderful the convention was, again! Seriously, it was very exciting to see new, young faces. It was reassuring because who the hell knows where fitness is going in regards to Continuing Education and instructor motivation to excel! With all of these side in-house programs that are so sub-standard, cookie cutter trainings-it's a wonder there is a good instructor out there-well, that is a slight exaggeration, but, hopefully you get my drift. It's always exciting at ECA to se the regular, loyal (getting older, aren't we all) clientele, but even more Reassuring to see the new ones! Congratulations! On my end, the Basics Class was probably the biggest success. All for now! Thanks again! Angie Bunch Culture Shock Dance Center San Diego, CA Hi Guys - Now, I know I've used this line before, but please believe me........................ECA-NYC just gets better every year! You guys are quite simply the best event organisers in the game! I can't thank you enough for having me on your roster again, it's an honour, a privilidge and a whole heap of fun. The programme this year was amazing and helped to explain the huge numbers. Probably more of a contributing factor, however, is your whole ethos and core values. I think any instructor who knows what time it is, looks at ECA and sees the whole package. Education, entertainment, integrity, credibility, inspiration, guidance, opportunity...............I could go on and on. Once again, I have to report how blown away I was by the energy in the room for my dance class. 7am and yet they came ready to rock. I felt so lucky to have shared that session with such a positive bunch of girls. We damn near raised the roof. Better still, my combat class. I came with a different attitude this year, really pushed them to perform and set the bar high. Repeatedly I said, 'This is not a dance class' as I helped them to strive for stronger, faster techniques. The result was unbelievable, when they finished the finale, choreographed to a set piece of music that ended in an explosion, the roar nearly blew me off the stage. Of all the years I've been lucky enough to be with you, this class has generated the most positive feedback. The comments on the day were enough to make me well-up, let alone the fact I've received emails since, full of superlatives. Take care guys, please pass my love to the whole family, I love them all and thank them for yet another amazing event. God bless you all. DEAN Dear David: I don't know how to thank you enough for coming to my aide when I put an SOS out for trainers, who were educated to work with children. I own a personal training business called Energetics,with a division called Energetic Juniors. When I called you, I was, to say the least in panic mode. Several trainers needed to leave around the same time. In the past you have referred some wonderful, well educated trainers to me and now that you offer a Youth Fitness Program, as an introduction to trainers, I knew who to call. Both Delia Barrack and Ralph Melendez are both doing some work with some of our young clients. Both very eager and both really know "their stuff." Thank You again for your help and for your good work. -Bonita Porte, Energetics www.energeticjuniors.com "ECA is definitely the preeminent industry convention for fitness professionals, program sponsors and tradeshow vendors. Programming is "cutting edge", presenters are "the best of the best", venues are always first class, and the ECA organization, team and staff can't be beat. ECA raises the bar for all other conventions and continues to surpass expectations year after year. Wouldn't miss it for the world!" - Sherry Catlin, President, Body Bar Systems Inc. ECA World Fitness Events is where I launched The BodyWedge21 and it is where I continue to highlight the BodyWedge21 , because of the well attended and professionally run events. I highly recommend any existing and/or new vendors to participate at the ECA events if it is success they are after. - Rich Decker, President, BodyWedge21 ECA was my 1st American Fitness/Dance convention home; therefore, I consider ECA my home! I'm blessed to consistantly get presenting/teaching work around the globe... no matter how far away I go... ECA is still in my spirit! I praise ECA for it's forward thinking and encouragement over the years; and for giving 'out-of-the-box' presenters like me a chance and a platform. ECA... thanks for being my family!!! - Calvin Wiley, FROM THE TOP INTERNATIONAL / LEAD "ECA NYC and MIA consistently prove to be places where leading fitness professionals keep their pulse on the industry. I love the two events because in the first you have the excitement of New York City as an international hub center of fitness, and in the second you have fitness near the beach with the addition of an aquatic emphasis." I love the participants at ECA events because they come with respect and more energy than many other fitness events! They always make sessions exciting and rewarding, educational experiences! - Lawrence Biscontini (2005 ECA Winner of Best Mind-Body Program "Yo-Chi"® 2004 IDEA Instructor of the Year Award Winner and Can-Fit-Pro Specialty Instructor of the Year Award Winner! Golden Door Spa Group Fitness Manager, Mind-Body Personal Trainer, & Nutrition Reebok University Master Trainer) "The ECA conferences are always a great place to discover creative workouts, informative sources and fresh trends in a rapidly evolving industry." - Alyssa Shaffer, FITNESS MAGAZINE Always see the best presenters , the line up is the best of the best.. there is never any fluff here... only one superstar after another!" - Anonymous evaluation "ECA is the premiere East Coast fitness convention and resource for health and fitness professionals! But it's much more than just an organization, it's a family that genuinely cares and you feel it not only as a presenter, but as an attendee as well. ECA is fresh, funky and simply fantastic...check it out!!!!" - Patrick Godeau "Eca conventions are the most Revolutionary and revelatory! - Ann-Marie Giglio (personal trainer, roswell, Georgia) "informative,new and useful information presented in an exciting fashion" - Valerie Daniels, Greensboro, NC |
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