NEWS RELEASE
SUCCEED! Offers Dynamic Learning Differentiation with Next Wave of Expert Speakers
(OAKLAND, CA, August 14, 2018) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced another four fitness industry experts have agreed to be presenters at SUCCEED! – the first-ever major Business Convention & Expo for current and aspiring studio/gym owners - April 12-14, 2019 at Hotel Irvine, in Irvine, CA.
The four newly confirmed speakers are corporate wellness expert Lisa Williams, fitness futurist David Shaw, CPA Mike Jesowshek, and brand development expert Stephen Tharrett. They join the ever-growing list of high-impact speakers making SUCCEED! unique among fitness industry educational events. 
“AFS is committed to delivering experts in their respective fields to bring a dynamic new learning opportunity for SUCCEED! attendees,” said Josh Leve, AFS founder and CEO. “We’ve promised the industry our agenda will be relevant, unique and unlike the typical fitness conference."
“These four newly announced speakers are experts in their respective fields delivering a new level of learning on topics critical to their success of the studio business. We couldn’t be prouder to have them on our team.”
Lisa Williams
The Time, Tools, and Talent Needed to Run a World Class Corporate Wellness Program
Lisa Williams is the Founder and Chief Corporate Wellness Officer (CCWO) of TravelTrim Corporate Wellness, LLC. She has been working in the Corporate Wellness space for over 14 years and runs an extremely successful program at a major manufacturing company in Kentucky with 3,700 employees.
In addition to her work with TravelTrim, Lisa has worked in the corporate environment for a major Fortune 500 company for 23 years, contracted for NASA and Naval Oceanographic at Stennis Space Center for 7 years and has a solid business, technology and digital learning background. 
In addition, Lisa is a member of Todd Durkin’s Mastermind Business and Life Coaching program and has been featured as a resident expert in the Corporate Wellness space. The company mission is “Keeping organizations’ most valuable resources, their employees, fit, healthy and happy through online and on-site well-being services and education.”
David Shaw
The Gym of 2020: Technology, Trends, & Products Changing the Fitness Industry
David leverages a background in high-tech – along with 29 years in fitness – to provide insight and clarity to the rapid onslaught of digital and technology-based fitness products including: AI, VR, AR, streaming and video on-demand, sensors, apps and wearables.
Currently Director of Innovation & Design at Growth Fitness Marketing in Laguna Beach CA, David held a "secret level" military clearance for classified technology when he worked at Western Digital. He developed the first "on-screen instructed" stationary bike in 2003, as well as designed more than 85 pieces of commercial exercise equipment.
Recent accomplishments include industry published articles on fitness technology, and the design/development of a next-generation hospitality fitness center prototype for Marriott.
Mike Jesowshek
Accounting, Taxes, and Payroll Essentials to Save You Thousands Every Year
CPA Mike Jesowshek, is the founder of JETRO and Associates. He has molded a strong passion for fitness and technology with his accounting and tax expertise to provide a digital accounting, bookkeeping, and tax solutions for studio and gym owners.
Jesowshek delivers a relevant message to studio owners looking to take their business to the next level by utilizing modern, cutting edge technology without the need for the big budget requirements that often accompany such needs.
He has the uncanny ability to make accounting and taxes easy for fitness studio and gym owners, utilizing his extensive background working with small businesses, including many fitness studios.
With an unsurpassed understanding of how hard it can be to manage the day-to-day accounting while also trying to grow a studio business, Mike will open your eyes to how to make entrepreneurship the journey of your dreams – not your nightmares.
Stephen Tharrett
Defining Your Business Culture & Creating Your Tribe
Stephen Tharrett has been a thought leader and advocate to the fitness industry for over 30 years, having worked both domestically and internationally across nearly every segment, including health, fitness, golf and country clubs both public and private.
Tharrett is currently co-founder and principal of Club Intel a company primarily focused on helping studios and health clubs understand, appreciate and leverage the needs, wants and personal journeys of clients, employees and members.
Steve also is passionate about helping health/fitness businesses understand the position and voice of their brand in the marketplace, providing a means by which they can take ownership of the white space in the market and gain a distinct competitive advantage.
About SUCCEED!
SUCCEED! will be an event like none other in the fitness industry with 2.5 days of education solely dedicated to fitness businesses of all sizes, disciplines and tenure for entrepreneurs looking to take the next step in their career. The event will feature three pre-cons, over 50 sessions in six educational tracks, a 70-booth Expo highlighting new technologies and equipment, with networking and social events throughout.
About AFS
The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) is the only membership community dedicated solely to the business of fitness studios. AFS provides studio owners and developers a wide array of business-specific products, services, and benefits that enable them to more effectively manage and grow their businesses, building on the passion, compassion and courage they’ve already shown – including SUCCEED! - the first-ever major Business Convention & Expo for current and aspiring studio/gym owners.