which industry leaders will examine
the most pressing issues faced today
by club owners and operators. The
seating for this event will be limited.
By Kristen Walsh
2019 EVENT
PROFILE
Also offering assistance is the IHRSA
2019 App, sponsored by Intenza
Fitness (download the app here),
which allows users to track sessions,
speakers, and special programs in
real time; learn about last-minute
schedule changes; navigate the
convention center, including the
trade show floor; and connect and
keep in touch with other attendees.
Keynote clout
The convention makes excellent use
of scores of experts and authorities,
representing dozens of disciplines,
both from within and outside the
industry. All share in the meeting’s
success, but, each year, the spotlight
falls, nearly by definition, on the
keynote speakers.
These four days might transform your club...and your life!
T
he city, the venue,
the presenters, the
education sessions, the
numerous social events, the
endless networking, the
trade show treasures, the
energetic buying and
selling, the doing of deals
- everything about IHRSA
2019 is designed to entice,
inform, inspire and imrpove
the world’s clubs and the
people responible for them.
Some 13,000 industry professionals,
followers, and fans - club owners,
operators, fitness practitioners,
investors, researchers, and members
of the media - are expected to
converge on San Diego, California,
to take part in IHRSA 2019, which will
be held from March 13-16.
The setting seems to have been
designed for the occasion.
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“This city has it all,” attests Joe
Moore, the president and CEO of
IHRSA. “Great weather, proximity
to the Pacific Ocean, a long list
of unforgettable, family-friendly
attractions, and a wealth of
fine restaurants that will satisfy
nearly any palette. … But, most
importantly,” Moore is quick to add,
“it’s a healthy environment—one
that encourages and promotes an
active and productive lifestyle.”
It’s not without reason that the
region is sometimes referred to
as Southern California’s “fitness
ecosystem.” It’s the home of the
American Council on Exercise (ACE);
the IDEA Health & Fitness Association
(IDEA); countless IHRSA associate
member companies; and a number
of international club chains.
“For these and many other reasons,
IHRSA returns to San Diego regularly,”
explains Moore. “And, as always,
thousands of industry leaders from
throughout the world are looking
forward to joining us there again this
year.”
Education Intensity
The setting and the city’s tantalising,
visitor-friendly accessories are,
themselves, clearly worth a visit, but
the focus, for IHRSA 2019 attendees,
is the incomparable opportunity
the event provides to learn - about
the latest and most effective club
management practices…and
about the newest and most exciting
products and services offered by the
industry’s suppliers.
In all, the convention will present
more than 140 education sessions
in a variety of engaging and
instructive formats - orientations,
keynote addresses, lectures,
tutorials, roundtable discussions,
summits, forums, and receptions.
There also will be “Fast Track”
continental breakfasts, and IGNITE!
sessions, which, utilizing a fast-
paced format, give presenters just
five minutes each to expound on
their favorite topic.
Brand new, this year, are Fireside
Chats - intimate, interactive,
problem-solving sessions during
WHAT’S NEW IN FITNESS - AUTUMN 2019
On March 13th, Chris Riddell, a
futurist, trend-spotter, and digital
technology pro, will discuss “Future
Customer 2020,” describing what
the customer of tomorrow will be like
and will expect from fitness-service
providers. He’ll also explain, among
other things why “good” is no longer
“good enough,” and propose that,
if companies are to continue to
thrive, they’ll need to develop a
deeper understanding of their
customers, and plan for “the day
after tomorrow.” His presentation is
sponsored by Myzone.
On March 14th, Mel Robbins, a
renowned authority on leadership
and life change, will tackle the topic
of “The 5 Second Rule: Achieve
Breakthrough Performance in
Your Career & Life.” Robbins is,
herself, a case study in personal
transformation, having been
an award-winning television
commentator, best-selling author,
public speaker, and, in her capacity
as entrepreneur, cofounder of
Inspire52, an inspirational news and
entertainment website. Her book,
The 5 Second Rule, has helped
individuals, teams, and businesses
around the world change for the
better. Robbins’ appearance is
sponsored by Technogym.
On March 15th, Rohit Bharagava,
a leading expert in the areas of
marketing, innovation, and trends,
will advise his audience on how
to be “More Trusted in a Skeptical
World.” Bharagava, an author,
entrepreneur, brand strategist, and
the founder of the Non-Obvious
Company - a consultancy that helps
organizations identify and capitalize
on “non-obvious” opportunities - will
share the five secrets of building trust
among employees and customers,
and describe what it takes to be
considered authentic in a doubting
society. His address is sponsored by
Matrix Fitness.
on “The Fusion Formula: Brand +
Culture = Results.” A respected
consultant, sought-after speaker,
and the author of FUSION, What
Great Brands Do, she’s a regular
contributor to publications such as
Forbes and The Harvard Business
Review. “Your brand is not what you
say,” she says. “It’s what you do, and
how you do it.” And a great brand,
she contends, requires a seamless
brand/culture synergy. Her speech is
sponsored by Gympass.
The ‘Grand Bazaar’
What the convention achieves
in terms of great new ideas and
insights, the trade show component
of IHRSA 2019 accomplishes - in
spades - in terms of great new
products and services.
The 525,700-square-foot exhibit
hall will be open on March 14th,
from 10am to 6pm, and on March
15th, from 10am to 5pm, allowing
attendees and visitors to study
and sample the wares of both the
industry’s most venerable suppliers
and many of its newest and most
original brands. Life Fitness, Precor,
Inc., Les Mills - all of the pioneers
of health and fitness will be there.
And so, too, will first-timers such as
Yombu, The Yoak, and Gleantap.
In all, an estimated 400 companies
will be demonstrating what they can
do - and, more importantly, what
they can do for clubs - in 30 different
product categories, ranging from
aquatic/pool suppliers to youth
fitness.
Log on to ihrsa.org/convention to
learn more and to register for IHRSA
2019.
ABOUT IHRSA
And, finally, on March 16th, the final
day of the convention, Denise Lee
Yohn, the go-to source that national
media regularly turn to for brand-
leadership expertise, will speak
WHAT’S NEW IN FITNESS - AUTUMN 2019
Founded in 1981, IHRSA – International
Health, Racquet & Sportsclub
Association – is the industry’s global
trade association, representing more
than 10,000 health and fitness facilities
and suppliers worldwide. Locate an
IHRSA club at www.healthclubs.com.
To learn how IHRSA can help your
business thrive, visit www.ihrsa.org. John
Holsinger, IHRSA’s Director, Asia Pacific,
can be contacted at [email protected] or
on mobile 0437 393 369.
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