Last week, the climbing community gathered at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham for the ABC Conference 2025. For Clava, it felt like a belated, unofficial launch. After quietly growing through word of mouth and strong relationships across the UK and Europe, ABC Rotherham gave us the perfect stage to showcase what we’ve been building and invite even more walls to see how Clava can help them thrive.
A Belated (Unofficial) Launch
Although we’ve steadily onboarded new clients, we’ve never officially marketed or launched Clava. ABC Rotherham became our first real opportunity to step into the spotlight.
We’ve grown quietly through strong relationships, but now feels like the right time to share our platform openly and show how Clava helps climbing walls:
- Streamline operations
- Boost revenue
- Give climbers the best possible experience
Why We Were Excited to Exhibit
Previously, we attended ABC as delegates – catching up with friends and clients between sessions. This year, we had our own stand, giving us the chance to showcase Clava fully.
Attendees could explore:
- All-in-one payments and POS platform – card payments, memberships, retail, café, and studio integrations
- Latest feature releases – tools to save staff time and provide managers with clearer insights
- Real-life case studies – walls already using Clava to cut complexity and scale operations
- Our swanky new promotional display with a TV – because, well, it’s great and took ages for us to sort out
Launching Our New Integration with Griptonite
We also unveiled our brand-new integration with Griptonite, connecting climbing performance and engagement directly with Clava.
Benefits for walls include:
- Enhanced member engagement with performance tracking
- A more connected and rewarding experience for climbers
- Deeper insights into participation and progression
Additionally, we launched a groundbreaking group booking feature, simplifying the management of parties, courses, and corporate bookings.
A Tipping Point for the Industry
One message from the conference was clear: many operators are frustrated with outdated management platforms. The industry is evolving rapidly, and operators need flexible, intuitive, and responsive solutions.
At Clava, we embrace this challenge, continuously developing our platform to meet today’s needs while anticipating tomorrow’s.
Embracing the ‘Marine Core’ Mantra
The climbing industry faces constant challenges – economic pressures, staffing issues, and the need to innovate. Those who adopt the ‘Marine Corps’ mantra – improvise, adapt, overcome – are the ones who thrive.
At Clava, this mindset guides everything we do. We are committed to evolving with our operators and supporting their growth every step of the way.
Looking Ahead
The ABC Conference reinforced the value of community and collaboration. Hearing directly from operators gave us invaluable insights into their challenges and aspirations.
Clava will continue to provide a platform that is:
- Robust and reliable
- Agile and forward-thinking
- Focused on helping operators provide exceptional climbing experiences
A huge thank you to everyone who visited our stand, shared their experiences, and contributed to the discussions.
Want to learn more about Clava and how we’re helping our operators? Get in touch.
