After discovering a mixed martial arts convention was being held in my own city, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. As the largest event of its kind in North America, unless you’re training with Team Quest or the Lion’s Den, chances are you probably shouldn’t pass it up either. From what I can see, there are some awesome opportunities for both traditional and mixed martial arts practitioners.

I had plans to attend a local Muay Thai tournament that someone I met on IronLife’s forum was fighting in. He won (props to you, Kosta). It was also at this tournament that I arranged to meet Gerald Chopik, the organizer of the Mixed Martial Arts Expo. We sat down for an interview:

- Reed Walker/IronLife.com: Tell us a little something about your background.

Gerald Chopik: My background, in regards to MMA Expo actually coming about, is that I am a producer of conferences, trade shows and seminars, mainly in the computer field. I work with the major hardware and software vendors and a major computer magazine publisher to produce events that draw large crowds, so I have the benefit of the logistics experience required to pull off an event of this size. I also bring to the program all the marketing, web site development, e-commerce, e-ticketing, all the advanced components that we’ve have incorporated into Mixed Martial Arts Expo to make it a world-class event. MMA Expo is a result of seeing a need and an opportunity in the martial arts marketplace that I thought could be filled with a combination of my professional experience and skill sets, and my knowledge of martial arts.

- How did you get started in the creation of the expo?

A couple of years back, I attended an event in Ottawa called Capital Conquest -- a considerably smaller version of what I’m producing here in Toronto in May. It was held in an arena and had about a dozen or so mats and each one was assigned to a different instructor. There was a fair amount of jiu-jitsu involved, which I train in, so I enjoyed that. But there were a number of other disciplines as well and I liked the idea of being able to ‘try on’ another martial art. I left that weekend with the feeling that the event could be developed much further. I was confident that if I could inject my expertise in professional conference and seminar development into that base concept that we could deliver something very unique. And so, from that initial weekend (Capital Conquest) we developed the concept for MMA Expo.



- What has organizing it been like and what kind of planning goes into an event like this?

Two words – Big job. Planning for MMA Expo started over a year ago. It began with a general design and concept of what the event would look like and what it would offer to each of the stakeholders. And the stakeholders are many. There’s certainly me…because I have a significant investment in the event. But there are also those individuals who arrive at the event – i.e. the delegates. What is it they need to get out of this event in order for it to be a positive experience? There are also the martial arts schools overall, because without the schools, there wouldn’t be any martial arts to begin with. So they need an opportunity to participate in and benefit from the process as well. For owner-operators we’ve introduced some innovative options including a commission model. I don’t think anyone’s done that before. Then there are the vendors; those that distribute gear, products, services, books, videos et cetera to the event. And lastly, and very important to the success of the project, the roster of top-notch instructors that we are most fortunate have. I am personally impressed with not only the caliber of instructor we were able to attract, but also all their personalities. These are great people who love martial arts and who love to share their knowledge. So trying to keep all those stakeholders happy is a challenge; however, I believe we’ve put together a plan that works. And I’m pleased to say that, so far, everyone is still smiling.

A quality event requires the right facilities. I chose the premiere convention facility in the city, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre [note: for those of you who may not be familiar with Toronto, this is adjacent to the SkyDome and CN Tower]. It’s not an inexpensive facility in which to produce a large event, far more costly than an arena, but it’s in the right location and offers all the right features we require in a high-end venue, like a large pillar free floor area (75,000 sq. ft.). Next to be considered is the design of the floor itself. How will it function? How will people move in and out easily? That’s why we implemented a state-of-the-art registration system that allows you to purchase a ticket (through the implementation of the e-ticket service), print it out at home, bring it down and simply be scanned in so you can skip the line ups, get a color-coded wristband according to the package you purchased, and you’re in! There are many other aspects to the event itself including purchasing 20,000 sq. ft. of puzzle mat flooring from Taiwan, having that shipped in by ocean crate container to the event, all the overhead signage, all the weaponry -- the Bos, the pads, the fighting sticks, the Nunchaku, and the swords.

- And what about your team of instructors? How did you that together?

That’s perhaps been the most interesting and challenging piece of all. I quickly learned that the business of martial arts can be highly political with a lot of people focused on their own agendas. That’s business perhaps, but I often ran into the perspective that ‘my particular martial art is the best martial art’. Sure we should take pride in whichever style we train, but some instructors are much more open to the fact that you may be a BJJ specialist but having some Muay Thai techniques aren't such a bad thing, or vice-versa. I’ve had some great advisors that have helped me step around most of the political minefields and I’ve been through over a hundred instructors to get to the great team that we know have. It has taken a lot of time and it’s been a huge investment in the planning side, but the end result is that we now have a world-class event built on a solid base of high quality talent. Can you imagine 280 seminars available in dozens of martial arts style in one weekend?

- OK. It sounds like you’ve done your homework, but if I were a martial artist who’s been training for years, why would I attend?

From the delegate’s perspective, there is a wonderful opportunity to experience many martial arts to which you might not normally get exposed. There’s also an opportunity to train with a long list of world-class instructors -- we have literally dozens of high-level and high-Dan instructors that are well known in the industry, true leaders within their own style. As a martial artist, isn’t all about learning? Learning new perspectives and new techniques from true professionals broadens both my knowledge and my appreciation of my art. There’s also the camaraderie associated with the event and the feeling that as a martial artist “this is my show.”

- I noticed you had some more obscure sounding martial arts like “Irish Stick Fighting”… what’s up with that?

Irish Stick Fighting is an interesting addition to the show. Glen Doyle, three-time Canadian King Fu Champion, will be introducing for the first time, the Doyle family clan’s techniques Irish stick fighting which I understand has been passed down through the Doyle clan for literally hundreds of years. I haven’t seen it yet but I’m told it’s a method of fighting with a shillelagh, the Irish walking stick. The description given to me by Glen Doyle is that “it would be a bit like boxing while holding a stick in both your hands”. So it’s a two handed-approach, not used as a club, but would involve a fair amount of strikes, jabs and takedowns. We’re quite privileged to have Glen to introduce a new martial art at MMA Expo. That certainly doesn’t happen often.

- Interesting. Are there any other obscure or lesser known martial arts that many people might not be aware of?

We also have seminars in Arnis, Savate (French kickboxing), Russian Martial Arts, Krav Maga, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Tanbo, Cane and Bau Gua Zhang . And we will even have Medieval Martial Arts – those seminars will be interesting as well.



- Why did you choose Toronto as the locale for the expo?

Probably the wisest thing to do when you’re launching a new event is to minimize the variables. Yes, I could launch in New York or Chicago, which may well be our next stops on the tour. But I know the convention center well. I know the environment and I know all the suppliers involved. For me at least, Toronto makes sense. We can learn from Toronto and iron out any of the bumps. When the event is over, everything goes into a 55-foot transport truck, and we’re ready to roll.

- So you have future events planned?

The plan is to take the event to other key centers because I think the appeal will be the same. There are a lot of individuals in martial arts who would like an opportunity to try something new. As a jiu-jitsu individual, I may not switch Muay Thai, at least not today. But I sure wouldn’t mind a session or two to find out how to deliver a better knee kick, as an example, or a better spinning elbow. So even if I am in a clinch in a Jiu Jitsu match of some kind, perhaps I can draw upon some Muay Thai. Or perhaps that’s when I deliver that surprise takedown that I learned in that Judo class. With MMA being the fastest growing sport in North America at the moment, I think the timing is right for more events.

- How can the ordinary person or casual martial art enthusiast benefit from this expo?

Those that are proficient in martial arts and reach a certain level may be looking for something new or an opportunity to broaden their knowledge base. For example, if I’ve reached a black belt in a particular discipline, that’s one milestone. I may choose to carry on in that same style, or I might want to expand my area of expertise. And for the casual martial artist who is investing month to month in their particular style, they may be committed to that style, but they’re still finding their way. In some cases, they might feel, ‘Is this the right martial art for me?’ With females for example, ‘I’m in Jiu-Jitsu, but I’m not really interested in grappling with all these sweaty guys?’ So as an example, they may want to try something more along the lines of kickboxing before they quit altogether.

- And if I know nothing about martial arts, what will I learn?

Martial arts is a mysterious area for most of the general public. Until they walked into a school, most have no idea what martial arts is all about. They may envision artistic kung-fu moves, karate katas, et cetera, but they certainly don’t understand the differences. And most are probably somewhat intimidated by martial arts, as I was. MMA Expo makes martial arts accessible. It gives the novice an opportunity to watch training in action, and to compare. For the general public, it’s an opportunity to see what might you like to try or definitely don’t have interest in. If you’re thinking martial arts for your kids you have an opportunity talk to instructors on-site, perhaps even from a school in your area. In the female self-defense side, which is growing tremendously in popularity, we have special sessions for the public in which as part of their general admission they get a 30-minute intro to self-defense seminar. They’ll learn some quick, easy to apply techniques that they can take home. We want the public to realize, “Hey! I can do this!”

- Give me a picture of what I’m seeing when I come down to the Expo.

When you arrive at the MMA Expo you will likely be surprised by the size. 20 large training areas, 1000 square feet apiece, all carpeted in between for all those bare feet and covering 75,000 sq. ft. There are areas to store your bags, and there’s a luggage check area as well. We have large food courts on site because you’re going to be burning up a lot of calories over the two days. There are check-in areas for all of the instructors, an instructor’s lounge, and there’s even a mat attendant for each of the 20 training areas to manage traffic. There will be booths from schools that are on-site, various suppliers and publishing companies with books and videos, martial arts supplies, both for the martial artists and for schools i.e. mats, equipment, gear, t-shirts. In addition to that, there are three other large areas. One for our general public is our StreetSmarts sessions, allowing them to take those 30 minute introductory courses. As well there are separate, closed-off areas for instruction for police and corrections officers on Effective Use of Force -- not open to the general public – and a program called Benevolent Control – the area for paramedic and health care type staff, i.e. violent patient/person management. Example: If someone is out of control in a hospital you’re not going to punch/kick them into submission. This session will demonstrate how to gain control for your own safety and the safety of those around you without injuring the assailant.

In conclusion, the Mixed Martial Arts Expo, May 14 & 15 has a lot to offer at many different levels – from beginner to Black belt and beyond. At this stage, we have registrations coming in from across Ontario, Quebec and even groups coming up from the US including a number of police officers. MMA Expo is also about community – if you are a martial artist, this is your show. This is not an arts and crafts show. This is not the home and decorating show. MMA Expo is all about martial arts and if you’re serious about your training you simply would not want to miss Mixed Martial Arts expo. Online registration is available at www.mixedmartialartsexpo.com. Packages are available for either a day or a weekend giving participants up to seven seminars a day, 14 across the weekend. Best of all, instruction by some of the best martial arts professionals available at a rate that averages approximately $10 (Canadian) per seminar. Awesome training in any style you’d like…at a great price.

- Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our June issue, as IronLife.com will be there covering the convention itself. There will be a few surprises too.