Keyword: Breakout
Is it time for the climbing industry to make its sustainable transition?
The topic of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in climbing is more important than ever – and yet, the industry is lacking structure, coordination, and clear market demand.
Based on a collaboration with various European partners, Greenholds and EP Climbing are launching a survey to better understand the challenges, needs, and interests around this topic. From carbon footprint calculators (like EP’s lifecycle analysis) to circular gear production (such as Greenholds’ rope-to-hold project), the tools are beginning to emerge — now we need your voice.
Take the survey and tell us what matters to you – and let us know if you’d like to speak during the roundtable!
Hosts:
- Tiphaine Lazard, Marketing Manager, EP Climbing
- Tim Mullens, Founder, Greenholds
- Rich Emerson, Director, TCA
A discussion of the current BMC membership offer to climbers, and your ideas for what should be included in the future.
Host: Dan Middleton, BMC Climbing Development Manager
Guy will discuss how walls can recruit and develop their coaching and instructional staff, in a cost-effective way, to deliver excellent sessions with happy, sticky customers. He will also give some early insights into Mountain Training’s coaching scheme review and the launch of the Bouldering Wall Instructor.
Host: Guy Jarvis, Executive Officer, Mountain Training England
A discussion on the importance of standardised qualifications and CPD in route setting – a crucial part of the indoor climbing ecosystem. We’ll explore how professionalising this area can improve safety, raise industry standards, and support the development of rewarding, sustainable careers for setters across the sector.
Host:
- Joe Lewis, Rock UK & ABC board lead for Route Setting Development
Panel:
- Eve Cuthbertson, Route Setting Manager and Head Setter, Parthian Southampton
- Ben Humphris, RSD Senior Provider, Climbing Wall Training
- Zoe Wood, Freelance / National Comp Setter
This session is a dedicated space for grassroots leaders, climbing wall staff, volunteers, community organisers, and anyone striving to build stronger, more inclusive communities, particularly for underserved groups within their walls. Whether you’re running inclusive sessions, supporting youth, or engaging marginalised communities, this is a space to network, reflect, and share. We’ll celebrate successes, explore challenges, and exchange practical ideas from real-world community work.
Host: El Temple, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, ABC
Panellists:
- Abbi Blakey, NICAS
- Helen Cassidy, TCA
- Mischa Spiegel
Learn best practices for professionalising management and staff care in climbing walls with WorkNest’s expert Andrew Moore.
This session is an opportunity to have a practical, open conversation about the risks we’re facing as an industry, and how they tie into insurance, claims, and long-term sustainability.
There’s no question the climbing and bouldering world is growing fast. Walls are diversifying with everything from fun climbs to auto belays to activity-based play. The market is maturing — but the insurance space around it is tightening. We’re also still seeing the aftershocks of inflation, consolidation in the insurance market, and operational changes post-Covid.
All of this means we need to talk about how we stay resilient — not just this year, but over the next five, ten, fifteen.
Host:
Laura Sweet, Head of Sport & Leisure, Lime Street Brokers
Right now, many climbing gyms use social media to promote their business, but there’s untapped potential in using it to build stronger brand identities. Investing in brand storytelling could play a key role in the long-term growth of climbing as a sport and culture.
Bianca and Omar will share practical tips on finding your content style and creating posts that resonate, inspire and maybe even go viral.
We are passionate about how businesses can use social media to grow their brand and create content that adds value. We’ve seen first-hand the impact of climbing content online: people have come to Indirock for the first time saying, “I watch Magnus’ videos,” which shows how powerful digital content can be in attracting new climbers.
Hosts:
- Omar Bobat, Bouldering Bobat and former creative director, Hang
- Bianca Chiburta, Creative Content Manager, Indirock
A members only session for climbing wall owners and top level management. Hear more about the work of the ABC board, their expertise and what they’re working on for the membership behind the scenes. We will also discuss insights from our recent member research.
We will also hold the ABC AGM in the session.
