Member Benefits: Gyms in Development

Climbing Gyms are the lifeblood of the CWA

By trying to start a new climbing gym, you are growing our core mission of expanding access to indoor climbing. Let us show you the way.

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NEW! Member Tier Pricing Specials for Gyms in Development!

Bundle & Save: New Tier Pricing Just for You

Entering 2024, the CWA is excited to announce a new Gym-in-Development Package available for you. As of now, dues for the CWA Gyms in Development tier will not increase, unlike our Commercial Climbing Gym members. We value and respect the fact that you are working toward a dream, and are here to help you execute on that.

As a bonus, the CWA is offering these Membership Tiers for you to add on to your dues. Details of savings are below.

  • Basic
    • Cost: $299 | Value: $715
  • Standard
    • Cost: $999 | Value: $1,680
  • Premium
    • Cost: $1,699 | Value: $2,665

Explore all the benefits of the Gyms in Development Packages, including what is specifically being offered in each, by downloading this fact sheet.

More on Why You Belong

Below are a small selection of hand-picked resources and reasons that you belong in the Climbing Wall Association. These are all included in your membership, regardless of add-ons above.

  1. Business Start Up Advice

    Let us help you find your way through logistical, financial, operational, and many other hurdles so you can provide indoor climbing to your community. Whether it be one-on-one startup advice or our comprehensive Guide to Business Plan Creation, we'll help you cover everything, including things you haven't thought of yet.

  2. Industry Research Program

    With exclusive access to member rates on our Industry Research Reports, you’ll be able to benchmark your budgets against industry insiders, make financial projections, and economically fine-tune your business plan. The CWA is the only entity that provides real-world data that helps secure financing you need to send your dream projects.

  3. Business and Health Insurance

    Through two unique programs, the CWA helps protect both your business, and your employees. With a membership to the CWA, members get access to Monument Sports Insurance or ClimbInsure, which can help with virtually any issue in the industry. We also recently launched a health insurance program with our partners at Roundstone and Fred C. Church, which you also get access to.

  4. Industry Practices and Risk Management Resources

    Various committees, brought together by the CWA, inform safety standards as well as operational best practices. Anything from auto belay guidance to one-on-one help with standards in your gym, the CWA has the knowledge pool and muscle to help you find your way.

Indoor Climbing Gyms

Gyms in Development are broken into the following 'Job Functions' under the Climbing Gym in Development 'Business Type'. These are how we categorize different members of the climbing gym family.

Job Functions

  • Future Owner
  • Gym Owner
  • Programs (any level)
  • Routesetter (any level)
  • Gym Manager/Senior Manager
  • Coach/Trainer

Photo Credits: The Front Climbing Club, Momentum Indoor Climbing, Movement RiNo, and The Spot

Don't Miss Out: CWA Summit

The CWA Summit is the opportunity of a lifetime for someone new to the indoor climbing industry. From networking to education to vendor/supplier buying, you will leave inspired by the nature of service and collaboration the industry exudes. Being a member gives you access to even more resources ahead of and after the Summit. You get exclusive member pricing by being part of the CWA community.

CWA Summit

  • The CWA Summit is attended by gyms big and small, across the globe. Learn from your peers, make new friends, and grow your professional network.
  • The CWA Summit is attended by vendors from all corners of the indoor climbing gym. Whether looking for unique holds, walls, or something entirely more unique, you can find a connection, and come home with the resources you need.
  • The CWA Summit has education sessions for every avenue of the indoor climbing industry. Routesetters, program managers, upper management; we have it all. Come with your ears open and eyes sharp, and leave with new tactics and inspiration for your community.

Benefits & Pricing for Gyms In Development

Dues Structure
  • $400 annual dues
  • Initiation fee WAIVED on startup
  • $75/location additional location fees
Benefits
  • Access to Gym-in-Development Membership Add-ons
  • Access to CWA Member Business Insurance Program (US and Canada)
  • Access to CWA Member Health Insurance Program (US only)
  • Access to CWA Community Hub
  • Access to CWA Member Webinar Program
  • Access to discounts on the CWI Provider Program
  • Access to Merchant Advocate CWA Member Program to save on credit card processing fees
  • Discounted access to Dominion Payroll to help manage your human resource needs
  • Discounted background checks through S2Verify
  • Access to Outdoor Prolink (US and Canada) for all staff
  • Discounted event attendance for all staff
  • Discounts on all purchased publications and ClimbSmart posters
Standing Discounts
  • 5% off Wholesale on Nicros Handholds & Training Tools
  • 6% off EP Climbing Holds and Volumes
  • 15% discount on Atomik climbing holds

If your organization is already a member, you can log in or make an account to access your benefits!