Membership FAQs
We understand there is a lot of information to absorb, and
that even after reviewing our site you may still have some
questions. This section will answer the most common inquiries
we receive.
Why should I become an IDEA member?
To be the best, you have to be part of the best. For over
20 years, now the world's leading health and fitness professionals
have looked to IDEA for the industry's best publications,
events, products and services. We have helped these top professionals
build successful careers in the field, and we can do the same
for you.
How does IDEA help me stay certified?
IDEA is the leading provider of continuing education, resources
and representation for health and fitness professionals. We
offer continuing education credits (CECs) through our educational
conferences and Independent Study Courses. As an IDEA member,
you can also earn CECs through selected articles in IDEA publications.
CECs are generally available from ACE, AEA, AFAA, NASM, NSCA-CSCS,
NSCA-CPT and NATA (and can be applied to ACSM and other certifications),
depending upon event, article topic, independent study course
or event session.
What publications come with my IDEA membership?
Depending on which category of membership you choose you will
receive at least one of the following:
- IDEA
Fitness Journal, the association's powerful new
116-page flagship publication, reports on the issues that
are most relevant to fitness professionals today. The content
package has been customized to provide all of our members
with the professional and personal enrichment that make
an IDEA membership a must-have proposition for career and
life. Content areas include personal training, group exercise,
a comprehensive section on nutrition, exercise research,
mind-body and much more.
- IDEA
Trainer Success, an informative newsletter, sharply
focuses on the entrepreneurial needs of our personal trainer
members who seek information and guidance on the challenges
of starting, building and maintaining a thriving personal
training business.
- IDEA
Fitness Manager,
for a practical solution to everyday issues, look to this
newsletter's blend of quick tips, statistics and best practices
on group and personal training program management, staff
recruitment and retention, marketing and sales, benchmarks
and interpersonal skills.
Can I subscribe to IDEA publications separately?
IDEA publications are available only through membership as part of the more comprehensive benefits package all IDEA members enjoy.
I am already certified. Isn't that all I
need?
Certification can help you establish your health/fitness career. However, it cannot provide you with the practical, hands-on skills you need. It will not bring you the latest information and research on a fast-changing field. In addition, it does not offer you the important benefits and services you need in today's increasingly competitive business environment. Your IDEA membership will do all this and more. You don't have to be certified to join IDEA—all you need is a commitment to your career success and a desire to be the best!
What events am I able to attend at a member
discount?
All of them! IDEA's renowned lineup of educational conferences includes:
Event FAQs
In an effort to clarify some of the most frequently asked
questions (FAQs) about registration, CECs, session selection,
accommodations and other facets of this exciting event, we
asked our member services crew to anticipate some of your
needs. If you don’t find what you need here, you can
always contact our member services department at member@ideafit.com.
Which certification agencies
offer CECs for IDEA Conferences?
The credits you can earn at IDEA events are recognized by
the following agencies: ACE, ACSM, AFAA, NATA-BOC, NASM-CPT
& -CGT, NFPT, NSCA-CSCS & -CPT and W.I.T.S. If your
certification agency is not listed, simply check to see what
credits it allows.
How many CECs are offered for each session?
To find out how many CECs are offered for each session, please
visit the individual conference page of our website--www.ideafit.com--and
download the CEC Grid, or call member services for assistance.
The grid will be included in the binder you receive on-site;
however, the website is the sole source for this information
before the event.
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How do I get continuing education credit
for the sessions I attend?
At each conference you will receive a binder on-site that
will contain a Continuing Education Credit Completion Form.
To get credit for the sessions you attend, simply complete
the form, sign and date it, make a copy for your records and
send a copy to your certification agency. If you cannot find
the form in your binder or you misplace it, contact the IDEA
member services team (on-site or after the convention), and
they will give you a replacement.
Do I get CECs or certification for completing
the preconvention sessions?
Some of the precons offered at each convention do offer CECs.
In fact some precons will offer certificates of completion.
To find out which precons do and which don’t, please
visit the individual conference page of our website--www.ideafit.com--and
download the CEC Grid, or call member services.
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What is required to enter sesssions?
To enter sessions, you will need to wear the wristband and
name badge you receive when you check in on-site. If a session
is close to or at capacity, you will need to produce your
session schedule at the door so the monitor can verify that
you are registered for that session.
Will I get handouts or notes for my sessions?
You will receive a binder at onsite registration/check-in
that has a CD containing the notes for all sessions at this
event. At the beginning of each class you attend, you will
receive a hard copy of the handout for that session so you
can add your own notes to it and put the copy in your binder
for safe keeping. The added bonus of the CD gives you access
to all session notes provided by presenters for each event.
This is a terrific value and not nearly as heavy to lug around!
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Why are the conventions being held in
certain locations?
There are several reasons for this. Repeated surveys of past
event attendees have revealed that most delegates are more
interested in attending an event in a “destination”
city. Additionally, the sheer size and scope of the conferences
necessitates that we use a venue with enough large rooms to
accommodate all the workouts offered on the schedule. We also
need to ensure that there are plenty of hotels nearby for
a multitude of attendees, and easy access to air travel in
and out of the destination city for attendees coming from
every corner of the globe. Finally, some cities are just a
lot more expensive to hold events in; IDEA does its very best
to keep your attendance costs as low as possible. Put all
these factors together and there are only a few cities in
the United States that are a good fit for IDEA events.
Does the cost of registration include
accommodations?
No. The cost of the full registration does not include your
accommodations. If you want to save money by sharing the cost
of accommodations with another attendee, we can provide you
with a list of people who wish to share a room. To add your
name to the list or to obtain a copy of it, simply give us
a call. We’ll supply the names--you make the choice!
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Do the hotels offer a special rates?
Yes! The headquarter hotels for each conference offer IDEA
attendees a special rate for the event. Visit the individual
conference page of our website--www.ideafit.com to find travel
and hotel information. A reservation fee of one night’s
room revenue is due and payable to the hotel for failure to
cancel a guaranteed reservation at least 2 weeks prior to
arrival.*
How do I get first priority for classes?
Your priority for sessions it determined by when you registered
for the event. We accept registrations on a first-come, first-served
basis. We cannot guarantee that you’ll receive your
first choices. However, the sooner you register, the higher
your priority for sessions will be, and the greater your opportunity
of receiving your top choices. IDEA members may also want
to check out our Platinum Pass*, which gives pass holders
first priority for
sessions. Don’t delay; space is limited!!
*when available
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How do I select sessions?
We ask all attendees to submit their session selections via
the IDEA website (www.ideafit.com). Simply log onto the website
and click on the link for your conference. Once there, select
the option “Choose Sessions.” You will be asked
to enter your last name and conference ID number (if you don’t
know your ID number, please call IDEA member services). Once
you get to the session selection screen, you will be asked
to select three session choices for each time block in order
of preference (if you’ve paid for an InTensive or Club
Without Walls session, please do not select anything in that
time block). After you’ve selected your sessions, click
“Submit Session Selection.” The next screen you
see will be a list of all your
selections. Please print this for your records. At the bottom
of this list, you will be given a choice to go back and “Make
Changes” or to “Continue.” Once you submit
any changes, you will receive confirmation that your session
selections were received.
Why must I choose three sessions in each
time block? I only want one.
We ask that you submit three session choices in each time
block in case a session gets cancelled or reaches capacity.
By requesting three, we have your second and third choices
on hand to assign, if needed. This ensures that when you arrive
at the conference, you have a full schedule assigned to you.
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Why do I have to pay extra for the InTensive*
sessions?
InTensive sessions are 4-hour-long workshops that offer extensive,
in-depth education and provide you with a certificate of completion.
These sessions are limited to a very small number of participants
to give attendees more access to the presenter and hands-on
attention from them.
*when available
Why are some classes repeated throughout
the conference?
Sometimes sessions are limited to the number of participants
because of equipment limitations. We want to give the greatest
number of attendees the opportunity to take these classes
with all necessary equipment, so we may offer them more than
once throughout the body of the conference.
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What if I only want to take a couple of
sessions per day?
While we do not sell individual sessions in advance of the
conference, once on site you will have the option to register
for single sessions based on availability. The pricing for
single sessions is not determined until event time.
Can international attendees attend?
Of course! We love seeing our international members and friends
at the events. Last year delegates representing more than
62 countries traveled to our events! If you want to attend
an event, contact us and we’ll help by providing the
necessary visa letters you need to submit for your application.
Don’t wait though; the sooner you get the visa application
in, the better your chances of getting approved.
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