Looking Back at IHRSA 2018: A Photo Recap

If you attended IHRSA 2018, you know it was the year’s most talked-about fitness industry events. Bringing together more than 12,000 fitness industry professionals from over 80 countries, the 37th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show connected those who share a common goal of making the world healthier through physical activity.

There are currently 162 million health club members worldwide, and our industry is always encouraging more people to join our global family. During IHRSA 2018, IHRSA Chairperson Derek Gallup spoke to this data, announcing IHRSA’s goal to reach 230 million members by the year 2030. During his presentation before the keynote on Friday, Gallup highlighted the top 10 countries with the highest number of health club members as a percentage of population, and mentioned 10 countries to keep an eye on because of the increases they’ve seen in recent membership penetration rates.

This data speaks to the bright future industry professionals continue to build. IHRSA 2018 is just one event that allows leaders to share ideas and work together to increase the physically active population. Here are just some of the incredible highlights from our week in San Diego.

Lisa Bodel Starts an Innovation Revolution

Lisa Bodell, author and founder and CEO of futurethink, explained how to create space for true innovation during her Myzone-sponsored keynote presentation, “Kill the Company: End the Status Quo, Start an Innovation Revolution.”

"Most of the complexity you have at work is self-imposed and unnecessary," Bodell said. "You multitask, when science shows us that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do…and we always make everything the same level of urgency."

One of her solutions: ask your employees what "stupid rules" your company should kill. Doing so will help your business run more efficiently and give you some quick wins in the eyes of your stuff.

(Did you miss Lisa Bodell's keynote? Order a digital video of her presentation.)

Leah Busque Makes It Happen

Leah Busque, the founder of TaskRabbit and an on-demand service star, shared her insights on turning brilliant epiphanies into reality during her Technogym-sponsored keynote, “Making Ideas Happen.”

Busque shared how she took TaskRabbit from an idea to a reality. "Ideas are not inventions—they’re discoveries," she said.

(Did you miss Leah Busque's keynote? Order a digital video of her presentation.)

Josh Linkner Turns Raw Ideas into Results

Entrepreneur and jazz virtuoso Josh Linkner explored the connection between improvisation and innovation in his Matrix Fitness-sponsored keynote address, “Harnessing Innovation: Turning Raw Ideas into Powerful Results.”

"All of us have enormous creative capacity…but, like developing muscles in the gym for your members, we have to develop those creative muscles," he said.

(Did you miss Josh Linkner's keynote? Order a digital video of his presentation.)

Isaac Lidsky Opens Our Eyes

Isaac Lidsky, author, entrepreneur and founder of Hope for Vision spoke to attendees on Saturday during his "Eyes Wide Open" keynote, sponsored by Daxko.

"If you fail to define your success, you are lost. Effort without purpose is entropy. It's chaos," Lidsky said.

A Bustling Trade Show Floor

Attendees walked the show floor over the course of two days—taking time to stop at each of the 400+ exhibitor booths to test out the latest fitness equipment and technology.

The Highest-rated ILC Summit

Industry Leadership Council (ILC) members raved that Al Segars, Ph.D., and the PNC Distinguished Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship and Faculty Director of the Center for Sustainable Enterprise, Kenan-Flagler Business School, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was ‘brilliant!’ Attendees raved about Segars’ ILC Summit presentation on building an ‘innovation tribe,’ which was sponsored by ABC Financial.

The 9th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit

In an interactive and energetic presentation, Denise Ryan addressed the importance of identifying and learning how to interact with others who may have a communication style that differs from your own during the 9th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit, sponsored by Daxko. The standing room only presentation was well-received and is characteristic of the top-notch leadership sessions and events members attended during IHRSA 2018.

$6 Million Raised for ALS Research

The 13th Annual Bash for Augie’s Quest Raises raised a record $6 million for ALS research and presented Kevin McHugh of the Atlantic Club with the 2018 Augie’s Quest Leadership Award.

New Leaders Elected to the IHRSA Board of Directors

Jim Worthington, of Newtown Athletic Club, was elected as the IHRSA Board Chairperson for the 2018-2019 term.

In addition, the IHRSA Board of Directors welcomed three new directors, Monica Marques of Companhia Athletica; Michele Melkerson-Granryd of Castle Hill Fitness; and Chris Craytor of acac Fitness & Wellness Centers. Two board members Gustavo Borges of Academia Gustavo Borges and Jim Zupancic of Stafford Hills Club were thanked for their services and for the inspiring work they are doing to grow and improve our industry.

Dr. Art Curtis Receives Distinguished Service Award

Sisters Athletic Club Receives Community Service Award

Kristen Green Receives IHRSA Woman Leader Award

Myzone Receives Associate Member of the Year Award

Sponsors Who Helped Make IHRSA 2018 a Success

IHRSA extends a very generous thank you to all of our IHRSA 2018 sponsors. We are humbled and grateful for all of your continued support.

That’s a wrap! If you were unable to attend IHRSA 2018, you don’t want to miss our event two years in a row. Be sure to join in on all the excitement at IHRSA 2019, which will be held in San Diego, CA, March 13-16, 2019.