Innovation & Technology Advisory Council Convened at IHRSA 2017
Posted: March 22, 2017 in IHRSA
IHRSA 2017
BOSTON, MA – IHRSA convened the inaugural meeting of the Innovation & Technology Advisory Council on March 10 during IHRSA 2017, IHRSA’s Annual International Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles, California.
IHRSA Chair Rasmus Ingerslev announced the formation of the council in September 2016 as a means to reach out to the technology community, within and outside of the fitness industry, to help identify important technology-related issues and trends.
“The goal is to gather the smartest minds in and around our industry in order to ensure that all IHRSA members are ‘in the know’ in regards to how technology will impact our industry,” said Ingerslev. “One issue that all council members agreed upon during the meeting is that there seems to be a wide gap of knowledge amongst club operators in the industry. Therefore, one of the immediate goals of the council will be to help IHRSA provide information and education to club operators to aid them in making sound innovation and technology decisions.”
The advisory council contains a diverse group of individuals representing club, supplier, and technology companies. They include:
- Jeff Bartee, Principal Product Manager for Network Fitness, Precor;
- Greg Cibura, CTO, Fitness Formula Clubs;
- Jeffrey Cooper, Senior Manager Business Development, Samsung;
- Samir Desai, CIO, Equinox;
- Dan Laughlin, Digital Solutions Manager – North America Technogym;
- Mike Leveque, COO, MyZone;
- Leon Rudge, Director Digital Experience ISBU, Life Fitness;
- Todd Thorson, CTO, Midtown Health;
- Al Noshirvani, Executive Chairman, Motionsoft;
- Mike Rucker, VP Technology, Active Wellness;
- Andy Smith, CEO, The Daily Burn;
- Jamie Ward, CEO and Co-Founder, PayAsUGym;
- Adam Zeitsiff, CIO, Gold’s Gym.
“We are thrilled with the response we have received from those volunteering to serve and share their immense knowledge,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA’s president and CEO.
In addition to Ingerslev, IHRSA board members attending the initial meeting included incoming Board Chair Derek Gallup of New Evolution Ventures, Missy Moss of Nike Fitness Centers, Ray O’Connor of Wisconsin Athletic Clubs, as well as IHRSA Board-elect members Bryan O’Rourke of Gold’s Gym Houston and Integerus, and Carrie Kepple of Les Mills, New Zealand. Participating for IHRSA was Jay Ablondi, EVP of Global Products, Tom Durkin, vice president of technology & web publishing, and Marianne Aiello, digital content manager.
Objectives of the council include:
- Aligning the industry with vetted technology-oriented companies, organizations, and key influencers to leverage information and experience.
- Capturing and interpreting the articulated and unarticulated needs of the industry’s current and future customers relating to technology and innovation.
- Educating IHRSA members on the current innovation and technology landscape to aid them in making sound innovation and technology decisions.
- Establishing IHRSA as a credible source of knowledge on the future of technology in—and relating to—the health and fitness industry.
- Helping IHRSA and IHRSA members improve, expand, and enhance their current products and service offerings.
- Exploring visionary strategic partnership opportunities for IHRSA.
IHRSA will facilitate the work of the Innovation and Technology Advisory Council members. View IHRSA’s existing technology and innovation articles.
