3 Tips for Creating a Fun & Effective Member Appreciation Event

Have you ever stopped to think about how incredible your community is?

How your students and members aren’t just faces in the crowd; how they’re the lifeblood of your studio, bringing energy and passion to every session.

That’s why we’re excited to chat with you about hosting a member appreciation event.

It’s not just about saying thanks; it’s about strengthening the bonds that make us feel like family.

In this post, we’ll share some fun ideas to make your member appreciation events unforgettable and explore all the ways they can benefit both your students and members—and your studio.

So, grab a cup of tea (or pre-workout, if that’s more your style), and let’s explore the art of showing gratitude and building community together!

1.  Make it more than a day-long member appreciation event

When people think member appreciation events, most think of a day-long event. But in order to create as much momentum as possible, and get the most out of the planning you put into it, we suggest hosting a member appreciation week or even a member appreciation month.

Give your event a name like “All Our Thanks to the [Your Business Name] Family” to create excitement.

Consider putting a theme to each day of the week to make it more celebratory.

Some ideas:

Motivational Monday: Share inspiring stories from students and members to motivate others. 

Try it Tuesday: Encourage members and students to bring a friend to class to “try it out”.

Workout Wednesday: Promote a special workout or piece of gym equipment.

Thankful Thursday: Give every student or member that comes into your studio, or participates in a class, a small gift, like a branded cooling towel or water bottle.

Feature Friday: Promote a new class, a new service, or a membership special.

Saturday Shout Out: Share words of praise from members about your instructors. Or send shout outs to staff members to show your appreciation. 

Sunday Sweat: Promote a new class or popular class. Take photos and share on social media. Encourage members to take selfies and share them on your Facebook and Instagra with the hashtag #SundaySweat.

2. Run special offers during your member appreciation event

Your member appreciation event is the perfect time to encourage group memberships.

Consider implementing tiered membership pricing to encourage multiple members to join your studio.

Some ideas:

Family Discounts: How about giving families a break? Offer discounted rates when multiple members sign up together. For example, if a parent and two kids join, hook them up with a special family package. It’s a win-win: promotes family fitness and boosts your studio’s revenue.

Friends and Siblings: Why not make workouts a group thing? Offer discounted rates for friends who sign up together. It’s a great incentive for them to buddy up and join as a team.

Sibling Specials: Don’t forget about the siblings! Create discounts for brothers and sisters joining your gym. It’s a smart move for parents, who can save money while keeping the whole crew active together. Plus, it’s a win for you too—more members and happier families sticking around.
               

3. Promote your member appreciation event, and then promote some more

Once you figure out your member appreciation event details (name, day, time, location, event benefits and description, how to register/sign up), it’s time to get the word out.

First, check out our 12-step event checklist for planning success which boils down all the necessary elements of planning, promoting, and running your event.

Next: begin promoting the event! If anything, remember this: when you promote an event, promote it through ALL possible channels, multiple times. Some people respond to emails; some on social media. Add your events everywhere your members will be!

• • * Blog about your member appreciation event
  • * Add a banner to your website
  • * Post on social media
  • * Create an event on Facebook
  • * Spotlight the event in your member newsletter
  • * Send an email to members about your event
  • * Send a text to members about the event
  • * Create a flyer about the member appreciation event
  • * Post the flyer in your facility
  • * Distribute the flyer at your front desk

Sending emails and posting on social media several times leading up to the event is especially important as it helps build excitement. 

A final word on member appreciation events

While it’s important to plan and promote your event, it’s also important to have fun. Remember that your member appreciation event is celebrating the very heart of your studio—your members, their journeys, their success. Have fun. Celebrate. Appreciate.