features
FIBO 2019: The future of fitness
The ‘who’s who’ of the fitness industry will meet at FIBO in April from 4th to 7th, with around 1,100 exhibitors already signed up, including numerous first-timers and new partners.
Confirmed are eGym, gym80, IronMaxx, Johnson Health Tech, Les Mills, Life Fitness, Ludwig Artzt, miha bodytec, Olimp, Precor, Technogym, Transatlantic Fitness and XBody – to name but a few.
FIBO 2019 has been designed for decision-makers in gym operations, as well as instructors, physiotherapists and wellness providers who want to invest in the future of their businesses.
This year will see the launch of the new FIBO Campus, a congress stream with a programme of content for all industry participants, from studio operators to sports physicians and trainers.
The congress will offer valuable insights to gym operators interested in expanding their businesses and enhancing their workout selection – the focus will be on strategies and ‘differentiation tools’ to deliver a competitive advantage, plus insights into current trends and concepts.
The FIBO Campus will be held at the Congress Centrum North and in Hall 4.1 from Thursday 4 April to Saturday 6 April. FIBO visitors can simply upgrade their trade show ticket by adding a congress ticket at the FIBO ticket shop.
FIBO Campus tickets will provide access to all presentations, with visitors getting a chance to put together their personal class schedules.
FIBO has a huge focus on the synergies between fitness and healthcare and is the go-to destination for physiotherapists offering equipment-assisted movement training. Head to Hall 7 (the health hall) to see over 100 exhibitors offering products and services related to physiotherapy and other healthcare facilities, including brands such as MED80, Ergo-fit, Dr WOLFF, HUR and SCHNELL.
If you’re visiting FIBO to set up a new business you’ll get the guidance you need in the New Business Area, where you can make contact with start-up consultants and be inspired by other start-ups.
Presentations will provide information on topics relevant to start-ups, such as marketing, tax and sales. The New Business Area will also focus on franchising, which plays a major role in the fitness industry.
FIBO will feature the Wellness Competence Centre (Hall 8), an area of special interest to studio operators in the premium segment. Innovative methods for relaxation, rejuvention and prevention will be presented, in cooperation with the German Wellness Association.
For a better overview, FIBO 2019 is offering guided tours, which are free of charge and will take visitors to a wide range of areas around the show, including the Cardio & Strength, Physio, Sports Nutrition, Hotel & Wellness, Start-ups and Group Fitness areas.
Each FIBO guided tour will stop at selected companies and special exhibition areas on every day of the event. To register for a place, click here: www.fibo.com/guidedtours
The wellness market is booming. The industry is generating global sales of US$94bn, with annual growth rates of 9 per cent.
The Global Wellness Institute counts 149,000 spas and wellness centres globally and figures are rising. Ranking top are the USA, China, Germany, Japan and France, who account for almost half of global revenues according to the Global Wellness Monitor published in autumn 2018.
It’s no coincidence that this order corresponds to the ranking of the biggest economies measured by GNP: after all, the main motivation for wellness is to reduce stress, which is often job-induced and increasingly tackled by corporate wellness programmes.
WELLNESS TRENDS
Silke Frank, event director at FIBO said: “Wellness is no longer defined as just pampering, but is part of an active, health-oriented and experience-focused lifestyle.
“Specifically for this reason, Hall 8 at FIBO forms a vital part of the show, because it features exhibitors from all over the world offering opportunities for building a business at the meeting point of fitness, wellness and health, for all parties involved – club operators, physiotherapists, spas, hoteliers and people responsible for corporate health management.”
Lutz Hertel, MD of the German Wellness Association (DWV), which organises the lecture programme at FIBO’s Wellness Forum in partnership with Deutscher Sauna-Bund, says: “Mindful fitness, healthy eating and sustainable life are central wellness themes. This is why wellness hotels have started employing lifestyle coaches and PTs.”
The forum will give an overview of trends and treatments in wellness, spa and sauna, as well as live demos.
Another topic featuring at FIBO is the Wellness Competence Center. Here at the heart of the wellness hall, (Hall 8), a team of experts will demonstrate effective and innovative massage methods for relaxation and renewal.
Joining the event will also be big players of the industry, such as KLAFS, KBL and Wellsystem, while companies from the interior design and software sectors, such as Centercom and Easy Solution will also take part.
Date: 4 – 07 April 2019
Location: Exhibition Centre Cologne
Opening times: daily from 09:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m.
Tickets: www.fibo.com/tickets
