June 15, 2004

By: Debra Beale
Website: http://www.1st-in-fitness.com

Greater Columbus Convention Center makes it a perfect venue to host the largest fitness event in the world

The versatility of the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center makes it a perfect venue to host the largest fitness event in the world - the 2004 Arnold Fitness Weekend - with more than 80,000 attendees expected.

We're very fortunate to have a site such as the Greater Columbus Convention Center with the flexibility, size and scope it has and the variety of options available, said Jim Lorimer of Classic Productions, Arnold Schwarzenegger's business partner in the venture. We have 18 different competitions on the same weekend which require large exhibit halls and a ballroom format. The Convention Center has great flexibility to enable us to put on a great event.

The award-winning Convention Center offers proximity to restaurants, attractions and airports and includes four exhibit halls, Battelle Hall, five ballrooms, 61 meeting rooms and the Food Court & Shops in 1.7 million square feet.

The 2004 Arnold Fitness Weekend is responsible for the affiliated booking of at least 10,508 room nights in 50 area hotels and more than $20 million in delegate spending. The sold-out trade show includes 600 vendors, while 11,000 athletes compete in 18 sports, including seven Olympic sports - table tennis, weightlifting, running, judo, taekwondo, fencing and gymnastics.

We added fencing, Yoga for Sports, gymnastics, strength training, table tennis and have seven different Olympic sports with this being an Olympics year, said Lorimer. People keep coming to us and want to add events. We add them as we can.

The Convention Center will be the site of the Arnold Fitness EXPO, Yoga For Sports, Arnold Fencing Classic, Arnold Martial Arts World Games, Arnold World Gracie Submission Championships, Arnold Classic Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships, Arnold Strongest Man Contest, Arnold 5K Pump and Run, Arnold Classic Armwrestling Challenge, World Record Bench Press Challenge, World Powerlifting Organization's Super Open Championships and Arnold Olympic Weightlifting Championships. The facility will also host the prejudging for the Ms. International Competition, Fitness International Competition and Figure International Championships.

Now that Schwarzenegger is also governor of California, his yearly trip to his namesake fitness event will receive more attention than ever before.

There will be greater sensitivity in security, though his schedule is very much the same as before, said Lorimer. Arnold is very loyal to our community. This is the largest fitness event in the world that we know of, and that's a great thing to be associated with as an individual and as a community.

Author Notes:

Debra Beale contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-fitness.com.  A source of information and helpful tips on various types of fitness equipment.