Missed out on the 19th Annual European Congress in Dublin? Take a look at this year’s event highlights.
Hundreds of fitness and business leaders from dozens of countries gathered at the 19th Annual IHRSA European Congress this year. They used this opportunity to share insights on the fitness world on a global scale, gain industry knowledge, and create new connections. After 10 years, the four-day event returned to Dublin, Ireland, for the people, sights, memories, and more.
Check out some of our favorite moments.
Attendees kicked the week off by visiting three local clubs: Icon Health Club, Trinity Sport, and Swan Leisure.
Kilian Fisher, UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Physical Education, Sport, Fitness & Recreation and IHRSA’s public policy advisor, explained what UFIT is and how it benefits health clubs. The UNESCO Chair for UFIT received the prestigious Innovation Award in May 2019.
Freelance journalist Kate Cracknell talked strategy and success with four key leaders in the European fitness industry: Bahar Uçanlar, CEO, Mars Sportif, Turkey; Francine Davis, CSO, Pure Gym, United Kingdom; Sandra Dunne, Operations Director, Gym Plus, Ireland; and Sophie Lawler, CEO, Total Fitness, United Kingdom. The panelists touched on a wide range of subjects including the importance of creating a supportive work culture, developing flexibility for both staff and your business’ consumers, and keeping up with technology.
Between keynote addresses, panels, and educational sessions, attendees made new contacts and caught up with old friends.
“Change is the only constant. [The] best way to deal with it is to create a winning team,” said adventurer and entrepreneur Caspar Craven during his Technogym-sponsored keynote presentation, “Team Dynamics in a Changing World.”
With the Congress attracting the best from around the world, it's the prime time to grab interviews from Alan Leach, CEO and director of marketing for West Wood Clubs, Annie Fältman, owner and CEO of 360 Träningscenter; and Martin Seibold, CEO of Fitness First Germany.
All keynotes and education sessions were simultaneously interpreted into French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
“The most important thing is not to be convincing, it’s to be contagious,” said Michaël Aguilar, a sales specialist and author, at the day two keynote presentation. His talk, titled “The Secret of Elite Sellers,” was sponsored by Technogym and gave the audience tips on how to become an expert salesperson.
IHRSA presented the 2019 European Club Leadership Award to Vidmantas Siugzdinis, CEO of Lemon Gym / Impuls in Lithuania. “Vidmantas has been successful in creating a culture of wellness at Impulse, and as a longtime member of IHRSA has demonstrated a commitment to the success of the company, the staff, and the more than 62,000 club members,” said Anastasia Yusina, member of the IHRSA board of directors.
Ever wonder “How to Survive Digital Disruption and Triumph”? Well Shivvy Jervis, an award-winning innovation futurist, told the Congress audience how during the day three keynote presentation, which was sponsored by Les Mills International. During her talk, Jervis spoke about AI and how it can automate tedious parts of our jobs and help predict where in the organization your team can be most effective. “Digital technology must enhance human potential,” she said, and it should “make our lives bigger, better, faster, stronger.”
This article was a team effort by several HFA experts.
