Pre-Conference Sessions
Maximize Your Learning
Pre-Conferences:
Maximize Your Learning
Find The Pre-Conference That's Right For You
The CWA is excited to bring back a robust lineup featuring pre-conference sessions designed to maximize your learning at the 2024 CWA Summit.
We are offering a wide variety of certification courses and workshops that will help take your business and career to the next level!
NOTE: All sessions must hit a minimum registration threshold by a pre-determined date to ensure the session will be held. We will notify you as soon as physically possible about your session and whether it will not occur if that is the case.
To register for a pre-conference session, you must purchase a registration to the CWA Summit. If you have already purchased a ticket, you may purchase additional pre-conference sessions.
Certifications and
Routesetting Pre-Conferences
Tuesday, May 14, 8:00am-5:00pm
CWA Climbing Wall Instructor - Provider Course
$850
Members Only, Must Attend Full Conference
Requires pre-event virtual meetings
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older
CWI Providers have completed and are certified CWA CWI Level 3
Have current first aid certification
Minimum 200 hours of work as an indoor climbing wall manager
Ability to lead climb 5.9
Signed agreement and attestation by CWA Member facility and Candidate
Proof of liability insurance coverage
Level 1: Monday, May 13, 9:00am-5:00pm
Level 2: Tuesday, May 14, 9:00am-5:00pm
Level 1, 2, and Combined Offered
$750 (Price Varies By Course)
Members & Non-Members Allowed
Eligibility Requirements:
WAH Level 1 Technicians
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
Complete the CWA Foundations course
Can climb 5.9 on lead
Can lift 50 pounds
WAH Level 2 Technicians
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
Completed WAH Level 1 assessment
Wednesday, May 15, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Injury Prevention for Climbing Wall Workers
$150
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Jared Vagy, "The Climbing Doctor"
The workshop takes an interactive approach, equipping participants with a systematic strategy for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Pre-Conferences for
Future Owners, Current Gym Owners, Sr. Managers, Gym Managers
Tuesday, May 14, 9:00am-4:00pm
Crafting a Comprehensive Onboarding Program Workshop
$350
INSTRUCTORS
Chris Stevenson and Marisa Hoff, Empower Group
This workshop is crafted to guide you through the essential elements of onboarding, providing insights into the modules that should be integral to every onboarding training.
Tuesday, May 14, 9:00am-4:00pm
Developing a Climbing Gym Business Plan Workshop
$350
INSTRUCTORS
Bob Richards & Dave Mullins, Climbing Wall Advisors
Learn how to develop and present the information that will assist you in obtaining the financing you will require for developing your new climbing gym. For those interested in opening a climbing gym or considering expanding.
Wednesday, May 15, 9:00am-1:00pm
Lean Gym, Quality Hires: The Efficiency and Automation Masterclass
$200
INSTRUCTOR
Kristin Horowitz, The Pad Climbing
Unlock the next frontier in gym management with our masterclass, 'AutoGym 2023: Attract Talent and Boost Efficiency with Automation.' In a rapidly evolving industry where time is money, outdated hiring and operational methods are no longer an option. Discover the ground-breaking hiring and automation process that has revolutionized The Pad Climbing, delivering high-quality talent in record time.
Pre-Conferences for
Coaches & Trainers
Tuesday, May 14, 1:00pm-5:00pm
$150
INSTRUCTOR
Steve Bechtel, Climb Strong
This dynamic session is for coaches and managers who want to learn actionable steps on how to build an effective coaching team.
Tuesday, May 14, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Coaching and Cueing Movement Skills for Advanced Climbers
$150
INSTRUCTOR
Kirby Kahl, Movement Gyms
This session will be a hands-on clinic focused on developing skills as a movement coach to instruct advanced climbers. We will discuss how to teach, coach, and cue movement skills with youth and adult athletes.
Tuesday, May 14, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Mental Training for Climbing Professionals Workshop
$175
INSTRUCTOR
Sevve Stember, The Warrior's Way
This course takes gym employees through an experiential curriculum to develop resilience in their careers and learn to share the basics of mental training with others. This session teaches gym employees proper falling technique, coaching principles for youth teams and adult programming, how to define yes fall zones, a risk assessment protocol, and more.
Wednesday, May 15, 9:00am-1:00pm
Delivering Creative and Fun Climbing Programs Using an Experiential Approach
$275
INSTRUCTOR
Patrick Brehm, Headwall Group
Explore how the principles of experiential education can provide a structure that can improve your youth program and give you tools that make your job as a coach easier, while learning new activities that can engage climbers of all ages and skill levels.
Wednesday, May 15, 9:00am-1:00pm
How to Use a Spray Wall or Training Board for Coaching High-Level Youth Athletes
$125
INSTRUCTOR
Marisa Romero, Team Texas/Movement Gyms
This session is for coaches of advanced and elite athletes and will focus on how to effectively use a spray wall. Often overlooked, these powerful tools are especially beneficial for youth teams, offering versatility and alleviating gym congestion. Attendees will learn keys to coaching on a spray wall and will actively participate in hands-on drills targeting climbing movement and power endurance.
Wednesday, May 15, 9:00am-1:00pm
101 Climbing Games & Activities Workshop
$125
INSTRUCTOR
Hailey Caissie, Program Manager, The Crag
This hands-on session will teach you 50+ climbing games to bring back to your gym and how to build play-based games of your own!
