In the Industry/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

Test Your Trends Knowledge!

Event Producers, industry trends, uniforms April 20, 2014

With all of the developments in our ever-evolving industry, it can be hard to keep up. For handy reference, we’ve compiled a thorough timeline of how some of today’s hottest trends and innovations came about (and the companies that pioneered them). But before it publishes this Wednesday, take our quiz below to find out how much you know—then check out the answers in our sneak preview!

In the Industry/ Web Exclusives

State of the Union 2014

billy smith, brian harris, kathy penree, state of the union, tammy van vleet April 9, 2014

For the second year in a row, CheerProfessional tapped four of the industry’s cheer “leaders” for a spirited panel discussion on our industry and its future. Check out our “State of the Union” panel for 2014 and read what they have to say.

Down to Business/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

Behind the Merger: West Virginia Cheer Academy

kayla wygal, mergers, west virginia cheer academy April 1, 2014

As the divide between small and large gyms grows wider, it’s not uncommon for gyms to merge in an attempt to pump up profits and competitive power. On the surface, the reasons to merge seem clear—building a larger membership base or having the means to form a stronger coaching staff. But dig deeper and you’ll find that a number of other motivating factors are often at play, from strengthening the local cheer community to wanting to benefit the athletes. For our “Behind the Merger” series, we caught up with Kayla Wygal of West Virginia Cheer Academy.

Two Sides/ Web Exclusives

Two Sides: Stay to Play

american cheer power, regina symons, stay to play, tamara reed March 26, 2014

Many gym owners—and parents—have long appreciated the autonomy of making their own travel arrangements for competition, due to the flexibility and options afforded by this approach. However, more event producers are now requiring “stay to play” (requiring that teams stay in a designated room block set up by a third-party company in order to compete). The practice has sparked debate inside the industry: some gym owners are boycotting these types of events, on the grounds that rooms are being egregiously marked up and that it creates less choice for budget-conscious families. However, event producers maintain that stay-to-play is necessary in order to maintain ongoing relationships with the venues and cities their customers have come to love. See what Cheer Zone owner Tamara Reed and Cheer Power’s Regina Symons have to say on the topic.

In the Industry/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive1

Go, Go Gadget! Review: Cheer Balance Pro Pedestal

cheer balance, cheer gear March 24, 2014

For our new “Go, Go Gadget!” review feature, we asked the team at Georgia Tech to road test the Cheer Balance Pro Pedestal.Harrison owns four Cheer Balance pedestals, which he rotates among his flyers and uses during summer training. Each flyer follows the same circuit: liberty, arabesque, stretch, scale, bow & arrow, scorpion. “When you pull all of those, you really have to work your hip flexors, abs, core, ankle and leg—really focusing on keeping yourself centered over the pole,” Harrison explains.

Down to Business/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

Behind the Merger: Legendary Athletics

legendary athletics, mergers, sydney mcbride March 20, 2014

As the divide between small and large gyms grows wider, it’s not uncommon for gyms to merge in an attempt to pump up profits and competitive power. On the surface, the reasons to merge seem clear—building a larger membership base or forming a stronger coaching staff. But dig deeper and you’ll find that other motivating factors are often at play, from strengthening the local cheer community to wanting to benefit the athletes. For our “Behind the Merger” series, we caught up with Sydney McBride to learn more about the Legendary Athletics merger.

In the Industry/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive1

FAQ: Champions League

champions league, Nfinity March 17, 2014

Can’t stop hearing about the Champions League? CheerProfessional has your need-to-know guide to one of this year’s biggest debut events—we caught up with Nfinity’s marketing director Hillary Dwyer to find out what cheer professionals and athletes can expect from the new Champions League event (and movie!). Find out what she had to say in our Q&A.

Down to Business/ Web Exclusives

Owner’s Manual: Danielle Johnston of Twister Sports

danielle johnston, Owners Manual, twister sports March 12, 2014

Less than a year after starting Twister Sports, co-owner Danielle Johnston has made the leap to full-time to foster her all-star gym’s rapid growth. Though the program began just a year ago, Twister Sports has grown rapidly to 300-plus athletes—necessitating a gym expansion and the full attention of co-owners Danielle Johnston and Angie Fritsch. In light of the enthusiastic response, Johnston quit her job of seven years in October to focus on the gym full-time.

Down to Business/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

The Secrets to Moonlighting

business, gym owners, leslie pledger-griffin, michele epps, stefanie nelson March 4, 2014

As our economy rebounds from the “Great Recession,” juggling multiple jobs is a common conundrum for many people—and cheer professionals are no exception. In fact, for gym owners, balancing more than one job might be a necessity regardless of what’s happening in the economy. As most owners will candidly share, opening a gym is something you do because you’re passionate about cheer, not because you want to get rich quick. Just ask these three moonlighting entrepreneurs, who know the perks and pitfalls of juggling jobs all too well.

Web Exclusives/ webexclusive1

Behind the Merger: East Celebrity Elite

cheryl pasinato, east celebrity elite, mergers February 26, 2014

As the divide between small and large gyms grows wider, it’s not uncommon for gyms to merge in an attempt to pump up profits and competitive power. On the surface, the reasons to merge seem clear—building a larger membership base or having the means to form a stronger coaching staff. But dig deeper and you’ll find that a number of other motivating factors are often at play. For our “Behind the Merger” series, we caught up with East Celebrity Elite to learn more about their merging process.