Triathlon America?
Written by: Dan Empfield
Date: Tue Oct 19 2010
By now many of you have heard of a new organization, announced Monday, October 18, called Triathlon America. The press announcement can be read on Triathlon America's website.
There's always a backstory.
A group of us met at the Harvard Club in New York City last December. In attendance were the corporate heads of Ironman, Life Time Fitness (and the owners of each of the Life Time Fitness events), Competitor Group, The Nation's Tri, Active.com, IMG, Tri-California, Champion System, and others. According to my recollection, about 24 of us in all were there.
USA Triathlon's then-executive director, Skip Gilbert, also attended.
The meeting appeared to be "without portfolio." If there was an agenda, no one told me. We started out properly, that is to say, we ate and drank and berated each other and told jokes.
The next day we segued into a loose-form discussion of what we might do as a group to further our sport. Did we need an industry association? What might we do that advocacy groups in the individual sports are not already doing? Who should join such an industry group? Who can an industry group serve?
Let me answer some important questions in a few short paragraphs. If you're a triathlon "consumer," you have your organization already. It's USA Triathlon (or Triathlon Canada, or your NF in your country). Your national federation is, or should be, or could be, your go-to national organization.
But if you're in the industry—a manufacturer, a coach, a professional athlete, a race director, an event services provider, a member of the media—this is the niche Triathlon America will fill.
Some among you might say, "I'm a race director, wasn't USA Triathlon formed as an industry group for people who do what I do?" Yes. This, back when TriFed USA was something other than an organization with an annual budget of $12 million. USAT has grown to serve many disparate needs, including acting as the national governing body of an Olympic sport.
These days few corporations have a voice in USAT's governance. Manufacturers rarely if ever sit on its board, likewise no retailers, no longer many RDs, no long distance professional athletes. And lest you forget, industry doesn't own USAT. Its members do, and they are end-users. If you still think USA is your industry organization, God bless you, but I think that ship has sailed.
To be sure, USA Triathlon is vitally important for the smooth running of a section of triathlon's industry, specifically for race directors and coaches. But, the architecture and governance of a national federation is not optimized to function as an advocate for industry.
Just as athletes flourish in enclaves, so do ideas. Triathlon America's first order of business is to bring the industry together, to sit in one place, in one room. Just prior to the first day of March, 2011, we'll host the first of what we intend will be an annual conference. This will take place in La Jolla, at the Estancia Resort.
I predict astonishing things will happen when the World's premier tri bike and accessory manufacturers, footwear and apparel makers, retailers, race directors, event services providers, athletes and coaches all converge in one spot at one time.
The curriculum for this conference has not yet been finalized. But I believe we'll place on the agenda a set of topics that will—just by their titles—demonstrate that we'll break new ground at this conference.
While networking and the curriculum will provide the meat for attendees, the highlight of the conference will be its banquet. We'll celebrate, and honor equally, both long and short course racing—long overdue, in my book—as well as industry achievement. Honoring superior initiative and execution by a retailer, a manufacturer, a photographer, a journalist, are the hallmarks of a mature industry.
There's always a backstory.
A group of us met at the Harvard Club in New York City last December. In attendance were the corporate heads of Ironman, Life Time Fitness (and the owners of each of the Life Time Fitness events), Competitor Group, The Nation's Tri, Active.com, IMG, Tri-California, Champion System, and others. According to my recollection, about 24 of us in all were there.
USA Triathlon's then-executive director, Skip Gilbert, also attended.
The meeting appeared to be "without portfolio." If there was an agenda, no one told me. We started out properly, that is to say, we ate and drank and berated each other and told jokes.
The next day we segued into a loose-form discussion of what we might do as a group to further our sport. Did we need an industry association? What might we do that advocacy groups in the individual sports are not already doing? Who should join such an industry group? Who can an industry group serve?
Let me answer some important questions in a few short paragraphs. If you're a triathlon "consumer," you have your organization already. It's USA Triathlon (or Triathlon Canada, or your NF in your country). Your national federation is, or should be, or could be, your go-to national organization.
But if you're in the industry—a manufacturer, a coach, a professional athlete, a race director, an event services provider, a member of the media—this is the niche Triathlon America will fill.
Some among you might say, "I'm a race director, wasn't USA Triathlon formed as an industry group for people who do what I do?" Yes. This, back when TriFed USA was something other than an organization with an annual budget of $12 million. USAT has grown to serve many disparate needs, including acting as the national governing body of an Olympic sport.
These days few corporations have a voice in USAT's governance. Manufacturers rarely if ever sit on its board, likewise no retailers, no longer many RDs, no long distance professional athletes. And lest you forget, industry doesn't own USAT. Its members do, and they are end-users. If you still think USA is your industry organization, God bless you, but I think that ship has sailed.
To be sure, USA Triathlon is vitally important for the smooth running of a section of triathlon's industry, specifically for race directors and coaches. But, the architecture and governance of a national federation is not optimized to function as an advocate for industry.
Just as athletes flourish in enclaves, so do ideas. Triathlon America's first order of business is to bring the industry together, to sit in one place, in one room. Just prior to the first day of March, 2011, we'll host the first of what we intend will be an annual conference. This will take place in La Jolla, at the Estancia Resort.
I predict astonishing things will happen when the World's premier tri bike and accessory manufacturers, footwear and apparel makers, retailers, race directors, event services providers, athletes and coaches all converge in one spot at one time.
The curriculum for this conference has not yet been finalized. But I believe we'll place on the agenda a set of topics that will—just by their titles—demonstrate that we'll break new ground at this conference.
While networking and the curriculum will provide the meat for attendees, the highlight of the conference will be its banquet. We'll celebrate, and honor equally, both long and short course racing—long overdue, in my book—as well as industry achievement. Honoring superior initiative and execution by a retailer, a manufacturer, a photographer, a journalist, are the hallmarks of a mature industry.
The focus of Triathlon America is to find ways by which industry can prosper. While everything we do will be laser-focused on industry, we won't limit membership to industry.
I think, for example, about Mike Dannelly. You probably don't know that name. Look at the photo of Mirinda Carfrae winning the Hawaiian Ironman. See that American Interbanc banner across her? That's Mike's company.
Mike is not in "the industry." But on what basis would we exclude someone who's personally kept the careers of so many athletes financially viable? Not to mention the races he's sponsored!
Now, to be sure, I haven't spoken to Mike about Triathlon America, and I don't know if he'd seek membership or not. But there are a lot of silent boosters like Mike out there and, if membership in Triathlon America is what you want, you're in.
I'd like to broach one more subject: this organization's reach. Almost immediately, when it became apparent this group would form, we started getting the question I've already gotten several times today: Why America? The triathlon industry is global. In fact, one of our founding members, IMG, has more current triathlon interests outside North America than inside.
Good question. If you want my honest opinion, in our myopia we blundered. But it's not a blunder I expect us to continue to make. I predict this organization will start internationalizing almost immediately.
Beyond that, if I write too much more I'll just be spitballing. There is a lot about what we're going to do that we don't yet know—that we haven't yet conceived. But I do know this: Last November triathlon's capos all sat together in one room and peace broke out. I think that's a testament to our having lived together, as an industry, for an average of about 24 years per Triathlon America founding member.
Nothing is assured. Confederacies fall apart. This one might. Still, laying down our swords to pool our resources has proved remarkably easy thus far. That's why now seems the right time for this industry group, and it's why I've thrown my lot in with it.
I think, for example, about Mike Dannelly. You probably don't know that name. Look at the photo of Mirinda Carfrae winning the Hawaiian Ironman. See that American Interbanc banner across her? That's Mike's company.
Mike is not in "the industry." But on what basis would we exclude someone who's personally kept the careers of so many athletes financially viable? Not to mention the races he's sponsored!
Now, to be sure, I haven't spoken to Mike about Triathlon America, and I don't know if he'd seek membership or not. But there are a lot of silent boosters like Mike out there and, if membership in Triathlon America is what you want, you're in.
I'd like to broach one more subject: this organization's reach. Almost immediately, when it became apparent this group would form, we started getting the question I've already gotten several times today: Why America? The triathlon industry is global. In fact, one of our founding members, IMG, has more current triathlon interests outside North America than inside.
Good question. If you want my honest opinion, in our myopia we blundered. But it's not a blunder I expect us to continue to make. I predict this organization will start internationalizing almost immediately.
Beyond that, if I write too much more I'll just be spitballing. There is a lot about what we're going to do that we don't yet know—that we haven't yet conceived. But I do know this: Last November triathlon's capos all sat together in one room and peace broke out. I think that's a testament to our having lived together, as an industry, for an average of about 24 years per Triathlon America founding member.
Nothing is assured. Confederacies fall apart. This one might. Still, laying down our swords to pool our resources has proved remarkably easy thus far. That's why now seems the right time for this industry group, and it's why I've thrown my lot in with it.
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Comments
Tri America
Reviewed by: hawaiitri, Oct 21 2010 6:06PM
I have been wondering when this would form. I have been talking to friends about how the sport of triathlon has matured outside of the bicycle industry. We were the ugly sister if you will that has turned into the rich princess sister. If you have been in the bicycle industry in the last 20 years you have seen how bike shops treat triathletes. Pretty bad, well at least when they left the shop. One thing that shops are good at is talking like little school girls about their customers. However, I feel that is ready for a change. More and more tri shops are coming of age and the tri folk do not have to be belittled or patronized for their inexperience or different nature. I have been talking about a governing body that went into the realm of the shop owners, coaches, race directors, and others who make the world of triathlon go round. We (triathletes) have gotten to a point in a sport that has gotten so big that it has outgrown itself and needs to be put on another path.
I am going to put my 2 cents in on this one. As Tri America goes I think it a great idea. But as coaching goes I think there needs to be stricter association to govern coaching. I see people who were chain smoking alcoholics become coaches in two years because they feel that they have done 2 ironman and see themselves fit to coach. I feel that if this to be true they need education, and at least 5 to 10 years experience before you can lead someone into competition.
I am going to put my 2 cents in on this one. As Tri America goes I think it a great idea. But as coaching goes I think there needs to be stricter association to govern coaching. I see people who were chain smoking alcoholics become coaches in two years because they feel that they have done 2 ironman and see themselves fit to coach. I feel that if this to be true they need education, and at least 5 to 10 years experience before you can lead someone into competition.
Geoff Nenninger
Reviewed by: Geoff Nenninger, Oct 20 2010 11:01AM
Why don't we just call this the Triathlon Industry Association, or Triathlon Business Association? Is the industry of Triathlon limited to America? Many people I've spoken to in the last few days believe Triathlon America is competing with or replacing USA Triathlon, as that is what the name implies. [Publisher's note: Very good point; and, I speak to this in the article. While I don't speak for the group I would wager, knowing only what I presently know in these early, formative, months, that you'll see some public and substantive internationalizing of this organization in the not too distant future.]
GYST_concept: How and when can I sign up for Triathlon America
Dom Aris - www.gystconcept.com
Reviewed by: Dom Aris, Oct 19 2010 10:53PM
Dan,
Thks for reporting about this project, we are a start-up company with a very innovative transition bag. ( www.gystconcept.com )
Like many other innovative manufacturer we would be looking forward to understand if there will be room for us in TA. [Publisher's note: if you make your living, or part of your living, in triathlon, Triathlon America is your organization.]
Thks for reporting about this project, we are a start-up company with a very innovative transition bag. ( www.gystconcept.com )
Like many other innovative manufacturer we would be looking forward to understand if there will be room for us in TA. [Publisher's note: if you make your living, or part of your living, in triathlon, Triathlon America is your organization.]
Triathlon America
Reviewed by: Larry Bradley, Oct 19 2010 10:14AM
Dan,
How is this organization going to help the everyday Age Groupers in the world of triathlon? We are the ones that keep the sport rolling (a huge majority of the products bought and race fees paid).
This just seems like an organization out to help the companies already making millions off of us. The biggest problem with the sport right now is the large price tag to the average athlete to participate.
If we want to fix and grow the sport, we need to get additional people involved by making the sport more affordable. We have seen this problem in other sports like hockey and football where equipment and activity fees are too high for the lower and middle income people.
They are now turning to sports like soccer that require very little equipment and come at a fraction of the price tag to play.
Just my two cents.
Larry Bradley
Ontario, Canada
[Publisher's note: This is a very fair concern, but it is an easy one to answer. This is just not the right place. There are a couple of threads now ongoing on our reader forum. Place your question there and I'll answer it.]
How is this organization going to help the everyday Age Groupers in the world of triathlon? We are the ones that keep the sport rolling (a huge majority of the products bought and race fees paid).
This just seems like an organization out to help the companies already making millions off of us. The biggest problem with the sport right now is the large price tag to the average athlete to participate.
If we want to fix and grow the sport, we need to get additional people involved by making the sport more affordable. We have seen this problem in other sports like hockey and football where equipment and activity fees are too high for the lower and middle income people.
They are now turning to sports like soccer that require very little equipment and come at a fraction of the price tag to play.
Just my two cents.
Larry Bradley
Ontario, Canada
[Publisher's note: This is a very fair concern, but it is an easy one to answer. This is just not the right place. There are a couple of threads now ongoing on our reader forum. Place your question there and I'll answer it.]
USAT athlete representation
Jimmy Archer
Reviewed by: Jimmy Archer, Oct 19 2010 9:47AM
Come on Dan. I've been on USAT's AAC for years and I'm not just a short course guy...But you are totally correct. I have no leverage for doing much for the LC scene, although I try.
Thus, I've joined and support Triathlon American.
I'm hoping the industry embraces this. I remember something very similar with several auto racing associations, like NASCAR. Organizations like this are very effective in growing and developing sports to the next level. I think the time is right for triathlon. We have been growing rapidly for years but are still viewed as a lesser sport to other events which are much smaller.
I'm stoked. Think I might have to ride out to the Spring meeting though a'la Lemond back in the day when he would ride Baja California in prep for the season.
Thus, I've joined and support Triathlon American.
I'm hoping the industry embraces this. I remember something very similar with several auto racing associations, like NASCAR. Organizations like this are very effective in growing and developing sports to the next level. I think the time is right for triathlon. We have been growing rapidly for years but are still viewed as a lesser sport to other events which are much smaller.
I'm stoked. Think I might have to ride out to the Spring meeting though a'la Lemond back in the day when he would ride Baja California in prep for the season.
