We are just seven weeks out from HomeGymCon 2026, and I took a stroll down memory lane.
Here’s a quick history of the event so far.
The idea of an event had been on my mind since starting Garage Gym Experiment, and a few people had mentioned over the years that it is something I should consider.
I had personally been motivated to start a business after attending an event – The Arnold – in 2015. I noticed numerous “niche” businesses, and it immediately gave me the motivation and the idea that I could start something myself. Later, I eventually started my own niche project.
Fast forward to the fall of 2022, and it was decided to just go for it!
It was decided that HomeGymCon would take place in French Lick, Indiana, at the French Lick Resort. I was not financially ready to have it really anywhere else. Plus, I was familiar with the space and knew it was amazing. It was simply just in the middle of nowhere.
I knew year one would be tough. The first few months of chasing vendors and selling tickets proved exactly that.
By the time the new year came around (2023), we had about 10 vendors and 17 tickets sold. There were less than five months to go.
It was pretty terrifying. There was a massive amount of pressure, and I was unsure of what I had gotten myself into. I remember just staring at the computer for hours, wondering what I should do next.
It didn’t help that almost everyone around seemed to think the idea was a bad one and would ultimately fail. I noticed every comment in online forums.
Nevertheless, we started to gain a little momentum late in February, and there was a strong core of people around me who really helped push the event forward.
By the time the event rolled around, we had close to a few hundred attendees signed up and about 29 brands.
While that may seem small to most, a lot of ground was covered from the beginning of the year.
In addition, once we got to the event, the energy and enthusiasm from those who attended was amazing.
It is hard to put into words exactly why, but year #1 was special.
Fun Fact: My decision to come back had actually been made before the event even started. We missed our hotel room block by a significant margin, leaving me on the hook for a large bill, but the resort offered to wipe it clean if we committed to returning the following year. It was easy call, but there was a chance I was digging myself deeper.
That said, year #1 was truly an unbelievable experience. I will be forever grateful to the companies that signed up and those that made their way to French Lick (some flying from across the country).
Even though it was small, the vibes were high, and the momentum carried us into year #2 very strongly.
We sold out the Exhibition Hall at French Lick in year #2, filling about 16,000 square feet. A total of about 70 companies attended, and attendance was about 2.5x the year prior.
It was time for a bigger venue, and the show moved into Louisville for year #3.
The tariff situation slowed momentum a bit, but we ultimately filled about 37,000 square feet of vendor space after many companies dropped. About 120 companies signed up, and attendance grew another 2.8x.
Now, we are just 7 weeks out from year #4.
About 60,000 square feet has been accounted for from vendors, and we are expecting another attendance growth of about 2x.
Momentum is high, and from my perspective, it’s starting to feel legit.
Anyways, I hope to see you in Louisville and cannot wait to see the impact it has on the industry.