Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Viola in 1998.
in which he takes ideas and makes them happen.
“ Each day, I wear a different hat,” he says.“ I do sales, marketing, PR, logistics, social media and web development. I build the brand and put out fires. I operate at every level of the business. Over the years, however, Jenn and I have learned how to delegate better and trust our instincts. She has a business degree from Pitt and a master’ s from IUP, so she is savvy. We work well together.” Viola admits, though, that if they both didn’ t have a true love for fitness, the expo wouldn’ t work. He also acknowledges their friends and family members, all of whom are the main reason the pair’ s annual expo has been a success.
Although the first expo was well-attended, Viola says that was just scratching the surface, as it did not include the expansive amount of events that are in place today:“ After the inaugural year, we kept adding new events, then another, then another. It’ s been a momentum thing. So what I thought was successful years ago isn’ t quite the same as it is today. We keep setting the bar a little higher.”
The expo has grown in both size and prestige each year, and has even attracted the likes of actor Ice-T and several Pittsburgh Steelers including Lynn Swann, Franco Harris and Antonio Brown. A“ who’ s who” of martial artists have attended including UFC legend Royce Gracie and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle. Viola said that the organizers constantly push the envelope of what the fitness community wants to experience and expects about 12,000 visitors this year. The expo encompasses more than 100,000 square feet of health, wellness, sports, fitness and nutrition exhibits and vendors, surrounded by nearly 20 different competitions that include strongman, martial arts, body building, CrossFit, karate, grappling, jiu-jitsu, MMA, modeling, figure, teen strength, obstacle course and skill competitions.
“ It is a very high-energy atmosphere,” Viola says.“ We have interactive challenges, classes and workouts, so people can even break a sweat while they visit. And of course we have free samples from the industry’ s leading brands. It is important that we stay connected with the community, so we work with local companies to sample new healthy supplements and nutritional options.”
In addition, the event is an avenue to showcase the latest fitness products, exercise equipment and leading cosmetic products. Health and wellness consultations are often available with physicians, physical therapists and natural health experts.
The exposure that the Pittsburgh Fitness Expo receives extends far greater than just the surrounding communities, mainly due to the nature of the world-class competitions that take place at the event. Viola said he remembers athletes attending from Hungary, China, Mexico, Canada and England last year.
“ It has been a fun ride, but I believe we still have so much more potential,” Viola says.“ I’ m certainly proud of our success, but I’ m never satisfied. My goal is to get more Pittsburghbased corporations to partner with the expo so we can reach a broader audience. Our well-being is our most valuable commodity. Preventive health should always be a hotbutton topic, and we aim to educate.”
The Violas hope that the Pittsburgh Fitness Expo will continue to provide a family-friendly atmosphere where the younger generation can learn more about physical fitness and nutrition. Though a lot of people thought the event would fail in its early stages, he is proud to say that it is still very much a part of western PA’ s culture.
“ We are proud because we are making a difference,” he beams.
For more information about the Pittsburgh Fitness Expo, visit PittsburghFitnessExpo. com, email Kumite at Bill @ PittsburghFitnessExpo. com,“ like” the Facebook page at FitnessExpo or follow on Twitter @ KumiteClassic and Instagram at KumiteClassic. n
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