Getting Ready for the 2025 Indoor Climbing Expo
The Indoor Climbing Expo is an unmissable event!
We're getting super excited for the upcoming Indoor Climbing Expo
(ICE) in Chattanooga! This event is one of the most highly anticipated in the indoor climbing and bouldering industry, and we can’t wait to be a part of it. Whether you’re a routesetter, instructor, equipment provider, gym owner, or part of the vibrant climbing community, ICE is an unmissable event that brings together industry leaders, professionals, and climbing lovers to learn and grow together.
Why We're Excited About ICE
As a climbing gym management software, our team is always looking for opportunities to connect with gym owners, operators, and enthusiasts to learn about their needs and get a sense of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry. The indoor climbing expo provides the perfect platform to meet members of the climbing community, learn from experts, and share best practices that can uplift our entire industry. We are passionate about helping climbing gyms run more smoothly, improve member experiences, and streamline operations—and what better way to share this passion than at such a key event for our industry?
Meet the Approach Team
We’ll have our team on-site, ready to chat about how Approach can revolutionize the way your gym operates and to showcase the innovations we’ve been developing since you last saw us . From membership management and payment processing to class scheduling, inventory management, and automated waivers, we’ve built a platform specifically designed to meet the unique needs of climbing gyms. Our intuitive climbing gym software helps gym owners and managers reduce the time spent on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on what matters most: providing a fantastic climbing experience for their members.
Whether you’re just getting started with a new climbing gym or looking for ways to take your existing gym to the next level, we’ll be there to answer all your questions, demonstrate our features, and share some exciting updates on what we have in store for the future. We’re also eager to hear about the challenges you face in managing your gym and how we can help make your operations even smoother and more efficient.
A Hub for Innovation and Community
Beyond the opportunity to network, the Indoor Climbing Expo is an incredible place to get inspired. With panels, demonstrations, and discussions led by industry pioneers, we’re excited to be surrounded by innovation and growth in the climbing world. From the latest trends in indoor climbing walls to new gear and climbing techniques, this event is a hub for the future of climbing.
What really excites us most about ICE, though, is the sense of community that it fosters. The climbing world has always been about collaboration and connection, and ICE is the perfect place to engage with people who share the same love and enthusiasm. At the end of the day, ICE is about building relationships, learning from each other, and inspiring each other to grow the climbing community.
Get Involved with Approach at ICE
We’re looking forward to connecting with everyone involved in the indoor climbing community who’s attending ICE. We invite you to stop by our booth, chat with our team, and see firsthand how Approach can help you streamline your operations, improve your customer service, and grow your business. And don’t forget to bring any questions or feedback—your input is invaluable as we continue to innovate and evolve our software to meet the needs of the climbing world.
Stay tuned for more updates leading up to ICE, and be sure to follow us on social media for live updates, sneak peeks, and more. We can’t wait to meet you in Chattanooga and share in the excitement of this amazing event.
See you at The Indoor Climbing Expo 2025!
Building Communities On and Off the Wall
Turning Climbers into Lifelong Members
Back-to-School Season: How Climbing Gyms Can Stay Front and Center As the summer season wraps up and the school year kicks into gear, climbing gyms often find themselves in a bit of a transition. Morning traffic slows down, family travel drops off, and the buzz from summer camps begins to fade. But don’t hit autopilot just yet, because back-to-school is a prime opportunity to re-engage your community, attract new members, and reset your gym’s momentum heading into fall. Here are a few smart strategies to help your gym stay visible, valuable, and vibrant as routines shift and school schedules return. 1. Market Climbing as the Ultimate Study Break For students, parents, and teachers alike, fall can bring a whirlwind of stress, structure, and screen time. Climbing offers the perfect balance as a physical outlet, a mental reset, and a social escape from school or work pressures. Now’s the time to reframe your membership offerings and class programs around this idea. Position your gym as the go-to place to de-stress after class, take a break from homework, or catch up with friends in a healthier, more meaningful way than another coffee shop meetup. Bonus Tip: Create a short-term “Back to School” promo or a student-specific membership to help new climbers commit without a long-term contract. 2. Host Welcome-Back Events Whether it’s an open house, a “try climbing free” night, or a student social, early fall is an ideal time to run community events that pull in first-timers. People are looking for fresh routines and these kinds of gatherings lower the barrier for someone who’s curious about climbing but hasn’t made the leap. Try ideas like: Campus Climb Nights for local college students Parent + Kid Nights to help families reconnect post-summer Stay-At-Home Parents Day to build community outreach to these individuals Fall Climber Socials with games, raffles, or themed routes Events like these create buzz, encourage word-of-mouth, and build a sense of community that can turn casual visitors into consistent members. 3. Build School + Youth Partnerships Back-to-school isn’t just for students, but it’s also a chance for gyms to partner with schools, youth groups, and educators to create long-term relationships. Whether it’s hosting after-school programs, offering PE field trips, or launching youth climbing leagues, now’s the time to connect with: Local elementary, middle, and high schools University outdoor programs and clubs Homeschool co-ops and scouting organizations These partnerships aren’t just good for filling quiet afternoon slots, because they also build deep connections with families and introduce climbing to the next generation. 4. Refresh Your Digital Front Door Back-to-school also means back to searching: students, parents, and teachers are online looking for new routines and activities. Make sure your website, class schedule, and social feeds are fully up to date. Post about: Fall events and special offers New classes or youth programs Student-friendly pricing or referral bonuses Any changes to your hours of operation or scheduling Even just a few timely updates can give your digital presence a sense of momentum and make your gym feel current, active, and inviting. Don’t forget to update your Google Business profile and local listings because first impressions often start with a search. 5. Use Automation to Capture New Interest Back-to-school brings new faces, new waivers, and new email addresses. Don’t let them slip through the cracks. Using tools like Approach Journeys , you can automatically follow up with: First-time visitors Students signing up for a free belay class Parents registering kids for after-school climbing Event reminders and follow-up Set up personalized emails, new member onboarding flows, and timely nudges that encourage repeat visits, upgrades, and community engagement. Let your systems do the work so your staff can focus on the in-gym experience. Fall Is Your Fresh Start The back-to-school season isn’t a slowdown, it’s a reset button. With smart campaigns, engaging events, and consistent outreach, your gym can stay top of mind for families, students, and your broader climbing community. So dust off the whiteboard, sketch out your promotions, and kick off the season strong. Because the fall rush isn’t just for schools—it’s for climbing gyms, too.