A Year of Achievement
Posted: June 9, 2015 in IHRSA
Robert Brewster
The old adage, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” sums up my sentiments as I consider the past year, during which I served as the Chairperson of IHRSA’s Board of Directors. My memories of that year are clear, vivid, and rewarding.
Now, as I prepare to pass the baton to incoming Chairperson Molly Kemmer, I’m pleased by the progress the industry has made, and bullish about its prospects going forward. Kemmer, who, with MediFit Corporate Services, Inc., serves as the general manager of the fitness center at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center (AHWC), on the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, also appreciates both the industry’s past achievements and its future promise.
The IHRSA baton will rest in capable hands.
We work in a vibrant and worthwhile business, and, even though I’ve been a member of the association for more than 25 years, the past year has taught me just how central and critical it is to the industry’s well-being and success. When it comes to informing, instructing, inspiring, and safeguarding the industry, IHRSA occupies a position all its own. This year, I got a revealing, up-close look at the association’s educational efforts, as it hosted or partnered with others to stage meetings in Guangzhou, China; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; São Paulo, Brazil; Santa Fe, Mexico; and, most recently, Los Angeles—as well as in many places in between.
One of the events that I thought represented a particularly big win for the industry was the re-launch of the IHRSA Institute, which took place at the Rizzo Conference Center at the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill. The institute provides what I regard as a mini-MBA in the field of fitness.
IHRSA’s impressive, demonstrated ability to protect the industry from harmful legislation and regulation has always been near and dear to my heart—a winning record of 83-3 is one to be proud of. So it’s been amazing to see the public policy team working hard to accomplish even more. Now it’s playing both offense and defense—a complete game! I encourage you to learn more about the industry’s current public policy priorities by checking out The IHRSA Legislative Opportunity Report 2015 (go to to hub.ihrsa.org/2015-opportunity-report).
It’s been an honor and a privilege to have served IHRSA in the capacity of Chairperson, and I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity.
