Why is Government Advocacy Important to Fitness Club Operators?
Three reasons:
1: Brand Identity
People know who the YMCA is. People know about community centres. The health club owners are not known. Once you become a brand entity, you have greater political clout and leverage and can accomplish specific actions far more successfully. Brand identity becomes a marketing tool. By becoming better known, when there is a cause of importance, self interest and value to the fitness business, known associations have far more success in achieving their goals.
2: Action
Fitness Industry Canada is a group that can make a difference in the healthy lifestyles of Canadians. Providing a tax credit is one way to make this happen. Joining a fitness club will make this happen. Advocacy for a fitness tax credit has resulted in a government intention to legislate for a fitness tax credit for youth and children under 16 years of age. Subsequent advocacy for an adult fitness tax credit now has a much greater chance of being introduced as well.
3: Lines of Communication
Fitness Industry Canada maintains it is important to build effective and supportive relationships with government officials during positive times so those working relationships are in place in the event negative action is taken on behalf of government (for example, negative changes in consumer protection legislation affecting the fitness industry).
Popularity: 5% [?]
