Most sport and fitness professionals are drawn to their profession out of love for sport, exercise and the fitness lifestyle. They are trained in sport, exercise, nutrition, health and exercise science - marketing is not generally part of their background.
Speakers generally focus on describing the promotional idea itself.
Without this information it is really impossible for the audience to evaluate whether or not the promotional ideas will work in their specific markets. In all likelihood, it didn't work for you because you applied the idea to an inappropriate situation. The idea itself was probably good. However, without knowing what type of consumers embodied the target market, the cost of the promotion, and some type of data about the long term and short- term effect of the promotion, you will not have the information you need to adapt the idea to your situation. These industry trade groups undertake this research role because most active lifestyle providers cannot afford to do their own research.