Theme: Owners & Managers
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
This panel will explore how routesetting can be recognised as a professional, creative discipline with clear career pathways. The discussion will cover what is needed to professionalise the role, including qualifications, apprenticeship schemes, mentoring, and improving working conditions. The debate will also include key issues including attracting and training new setters, the responsibilities walls have to their teams, and the pros and cons of employing permanent versus freelance routesetters as well as examining industry support measures to protect these valuable professionals. The discussion will also address equality, diversity, and inclusion in routesetting—ensuring setter teams reflect the diversity of their communities and membership.
Moderator: Mary-Ann Ochota, Broadcaster
Panellists:
Ros Beveridge, Freelance routesetter and Senior National Routesetter (youth)
Mike Clevedon, Freelance routesetter
As competition is increasing, climbing businesses need to look beyond the wall. This panel explores practical ways to grow revenue, attract new audiences, and build lasting customer loyalty. The panellists will discuss how to tailor your offer to local demographics, the pros and cons of specialist versus generalist models, and how to stand out in crowded markets.
The discussion will also cover alternative income streams – from yoga and pilates classes and expanding training and workshop offerings to events, corporate bookings, cafés and retail – and how to make them viable, even in smaller spaces. What actually works and where should you invest? Finally, the panel will look at how to build a membership base that drives both revenue and loyalty.
Moderator: Mary-Ann Ochota, Broadcaster
Panellists:
Jack Griffiths, Director & CEO, Flashpoint Climbing Group
Francesco Ragazzi, Founder & Managing Director, Beta Boulders, Copenhagen
Join the ABC team and board members for an insight into the work of the ABC over the last year.
We’ll also be launching our bi-annual market research report, sharing the key themes and trends in the sector for 2025.
Looking at professionalising management and staff care in climbing walls.
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.
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.
Jeremy will provide his personal reflections on industry dynamics and current trends.
Join industry leaders for a discussion on the evolving indoor climbing sector. The discussion will explore the current landscape of the indoor climbing industry and its future trajectory. The panel will discuss key macroeconomic trends and the latest insights from ABC industry research. Is the market still on the rise, or hitting a plateau? The expert panel will explore the impact of private equity and venture capital, the realities of competing in saturated markets, and what this means for growth opportunities. The session will close with a look ahead — where is the industry going, and how can businesses stay ahead of the curve?
Moderator: Hannah Mitchell
Panel:
Rich Emerson, Chief Executive, The Climbing Academy
Emily Vermont, Founder & CEO, Indirock
Antoine Paulhac, Co-Founder & CEO, Climbing District
