PFIFA

Planet Fitness Donates to BGCA During Open House

The Planet Fitness® in Pompano Beach, Florida, gave those looking for a total-body workout a great new option – the 360. Held in Planet Fitness Plaza, the location hosted an open house to showcase the addition of the equipment to the Broward County market.

The PF® club celebrated the open house alongside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, donating $500 to the Pompano Beach center. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County serves over 12,500 youth between the ages of 6-18 each year through 11 clubs and one teen center in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, North Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Ft. Lauderdale, Davie, Hollywood and West Park.

“We always enjoy incorporating the BGC whenever we can,” said Danielle Monroy, marketing director for Planet Fitness Growth Partners in Florida. “We are currently in discussions to use our renovation in North Miami Beach to facilitate a mini Judgement Free Zone® in the South Broward Boys & Girls Club.”

News of the open house was spread throughout local publications, and more than 250 current and prospective members enjoyed food, fun, raffles and games during the open house celebration.

In the challenging Florida market, Planet Fitness Growth Partners deploys community and grassroots marketing efforts to differentiate PF products and services. “Aside from open houses, we utilize street teams, are active members in the chambers and engage as many community events as possible,” Monroy said. “While driving revenue is a high priority, brand building continues to stay top of mind, and in our experience, moving the small dirt (community marketing), in the long run, will pay dividends for the brand.”

Starr Group Teams Up With Local College to Get Students Focused on Fitness

Two Planet Fitness® locations in Danville and Martinsville, Virginia, owned by Starr Group, have teamed up with a local college to make the cost of working out even more affordable.

When Katherine Pappas, associate director for the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program at Averett University, reached out to her local gym to form a partnership, the clubs immediately jumped on the opportunity.

“Katherine reached out to me at our Danville location and asked if she could visit the club and set up a table to promote and attract interest from our members to Averett’s GPS program,” said club manager Misty Adams. “Katherine and I discussed a membership offer for the GPS students that would be affordable. Once she learned about the $10 membership, we decided to make it even more affordable by waiving the enrollment fee and giving them their first month free.”

The club invited Pappas to set up a table during the March pizza Monday, which provided the GPS program great exposure.

“We understand that college can be a very stressful time, and exercise is a great way to relieve stress,” added Adams. “The health benefits and the absence of a campus gym created the perfect partnership with Averett GPS students.”

In addition to partnering with Averett’s GPS program, the clubs have also been highly involved with Averett athletics for the past four years. PF® often provides game tickets at the front desk, and the football mascot will even visit the club from time to time to hand out tickets as well.

The clubs also donate $2,000 per year to the athletic teams and in return have a banner that is displayed on the football field and logos that can be seen on the digital scoreboard during football games.

“Averett’s GPS program seeks to partner with local businesses with which our missions align,” concluded Ron Lonzo, executive director of GPS enrollment. “The partnership with the Danville and Martinsville Planet Fitness locations will not only encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle, but also strive to meet their educational goals at a more affordable cost.”

Meridian Enterprises Sponsors Annual March for Babies Walk in Knoxville

On April 29, thousands of businesses and families congregated at Zoo Knoxville for the annual March for Babies event organized by the March of Dimes.

The organization reached out to a nearby Planet Fitness®, which quickly agreed to become a local sponsor. The PF® club, owned by Meridian Enterprises, provided water bottles and banners for the event.

“We want to do everything we can to support our community,” said franchisee Kira Ehly. “It’s an honor to be a part of this great event and cause.”

The event raised over $72,000, and attendees were invited to stick around and explore the zoo following the two-mile walk.

This year’s Knoxville Ambassador Family was the Vaughan Family. Ben and Rosalynn Vaughan’s twin girls, Adaline and Harper, were born at 33 weeks and have surpassed their expected progress. The girls were given surfactant, which is a March of Dimes funded agent, that allowed the twins to breathe on their own and aided in them going home from NICU nearly two months early.

“It’s a pleasure to work with March of Dimes,” said Cambrie Gagliardi, marketing director for Meridian Enterprises. “This partnership is one we want to continue.”