IHRSA European Congress Attracts Over 550 from 42 Countries
Posted: November 9, 2015 in IHRSA
IHRSA: Success By Association
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – The 15th anniversary of IHRSA’s annual European Congress concluded on 22 October in Marseille with more than 550 participants from a record 42 countries and six continents.
“IHRSA is especially grateful to our local host, Christophe Andanson, president of FHRSA, and his staff,” said Joe Moore, President and CEO of IHRSA. “Their tremendous support with all aspects of the event – helping us find a beautiful venue, promotion, coordinating special activities – helped to ensure that the Congress was a great experience for all.”
In his opening keynote address, sponsored by Technogym, Ken Hughes, CEO of Glacier Consulting, told attendees to get ready for the “Digital Natives” – those born between 1980 and 1997, who have grown up with technology. “These consumers are ‘on’ 24 hours a day, and this has implications for your business,” he warned.
Bryan Williams, Chief Service Officer of B. Williams Enterprises, delivered the closing keynote session, sponsored by Keiser Corporation, with a presentation about “Creating a Culture of Empowerment and Ownership”. He identified four levels of leadership influence including position, persuasion, production, and people development. It is the fourth level that all leaders should aspire to achieve, Williams averred. He challenged the attendees to lead each person on their team as though you want them to put you on their personal board of directors.
Among the many highlights of the program were:
- The launch of UFIT (Universal Fitness Innovation & Training), which looks to provide more ways for those with disabilities to engage with and be included in the physical activity sector;
- The presentation of the IHRSA European Club Leadership Award to Martin Seibold, Managing Director of Fitness First UK;
- More than a dozen additional seminars, including a CEO panel discussion about the future of the industry;
- A Sponsor Showcase and seminars that helped club executives and leading suppliers to connect one-to-one;
- A tour of some of Marseille’s leading health clubs.
The 2016 IHRSA European Congress will be held 17-20 October in Seville, Spain.
For full coverage of the European Congress, visit ihrsa.org/blog/category/european-congress
Event photos can be found at here.
Congress sponsors included:
American Council on Exercise (ACE), Anytime Fitness, LLC, Cybex International Inc, eGym GmbH, Exerp, Fabiano Designs, GANTNER Technologies, Gruppo P&G – Fit interiors, GymGroups, Johnson Health Tech. Co., Ltd. / MATRIX FITNESS, Keiser Corporation, Les Mills International, Life Fitness, MEGA FORM, miha bodytec GmbH, milon industries GmbH, MYZONE, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), OJMAR, PILOXING, Pliteq Inc., Polar, Precor, QualiCert – Qualitop International, Star Trac, Technogym SpA, TNG International, uPulse, Virtuagym and Zumba Fitness LLC.
