Network Magazine Winter 2016 | Page 56

ACTIVE-NET AUSTRALASIA Taking its cue from speed-dating, a new event unites fitness operators and suppliers for high-level skills workshops and business networking. itting Australian shores for the first time this July, active-net Australasia is a two-day event comprising 16 pre-arranged one-toone business meetings between fitness suppliers and operators, as well as a networking lunch and dinner and an educational strand with keynote speech, workshops and an industry leaders’ Q&A panel. Managed by UK industry insight specialist, Leisure-net Solutions, the event has experienced three successful years in the UK. Recognising its potential in the Australasian market, local organisations including Australian Fitness Network, official partner Fitness Australia, UNIsport, Exercise New Zealand, the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA), Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, and the Aquatics and Recreation Institute are giving it their support. Fitness First, Belgravia Leisure and Genesis Fitness Clubs are some of the operators already signed up to participate. The education stream will include ‘Thinking outside the box’, presented by Tim Webster, an influential industry figure both here and in the UK. He will explore what the future of fitness, sport and aquatics looks like and ask whether we can really increase physical activity levels just by getting more people into our facilities. Renowned business thought leader Justin Tamsett, managing director of Active Management, will lead the session ‘Health – opportunity or challenge?’ in which delegates will discuss whether it’s all about health now, and explore whether this represents a challenge or an opportunity for a sector focused on fitness, physical activity and sport. A suppliers workshop ‘Understand the Sector’ will explain the key drivers of, and differences between, the various sub sectors of the active leisure market. Tamsett says: ‘active-net is a wonderful opportunity to speak directly with suppliers and ask the questions you want answered, and will allow networking between niche’s within the fitness industry. Of course, the educational value will strengthen attendees’ businesses too, and I'm excited to be part of the inaugural event.’ Vision-impaired Paralympian and former Network Inspiration Award winner, John Domandl, will deliver the keynote address, sharing his lighthearted experiences of what sport and fitness has done for him, and helping delegates understand some of the difficulties he’s faced as a legally blind person in the sporting world. Michael Jordan, director of MYZONE Asia Pacific, one of the suppliers already confirmed for the event, says: ‘After hearing great feedback from the UK MYZONE team we were excited to learn that active-net’s ‘buyer meets supplier’ speed meeting concept was heading to Australia. For a supplier, having two days of focused, uninterrupted, quality discussions with the leading operators in Australia and New Zealand is a superb and unique opportunity.’ H MORE? 56 | NETWORK WINTER 2016 active-net will take place at the Novotel St Kilda in Melbourne on 27 and 28 July 2016. Places are available for 50 operators and 50 suppliers. Operator places for senior managers/directors are free. To find out more email [email protected], follow @ActiveNetAus on Twitter or visit active-net-australasia.org