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IHRSA update: IHRSA 2017
The countdown for IHRSA 2017 has begun, with the event set to take place on 8–11 March in Los Angeles, California, US. Kristen Walsh gives a glimpse of what’s to come
This year, IHRSA’s 35th Annual International Convention and Trade Show heads back to America’s west coast, after a successful 2016 event in Orlando, Florida. This March, the LA LIVE campus in Los Angeles, California will once again be the site of IHRSA’s annual gathering of health club and fitness professionals from around the globe.
Sharing wisdom
We’re very excited about the keynote speakers lined up for this year’s event
Seth Mattison, founder and chief movement officer at FutureSight Labs, is an internationally renowned expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics. He advises many of the world’s leading brands and organisations on the key shifts in talent management, change and innovation, leadership and the future of work.
Mattison offers actionable content that can immediately impact business performance. He blends his own wide-ranging experience with cutting-edge research to develop fresh perspectives on strategic issues
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Martin Lindstrom – author, change agent and brand futurist – is recognised as one of the world’s leading brand experts, having pioneered such things as the introduction of brands on the internet (1994), the use of five senses in branding (2004), the introduction of neuroscience in advertising (2007) and the exploration of the next generation of subconscious communication (2010).
Lindstom was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME magazine, and is the author of several New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling books. He’s an advisor to numerous Fortune 100 companies, including McDonald’s, PepsiCo and American Express.
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Johnny Earle is a branding expert and founder of Johnny Cupcakes. Over the past decade, Johnny Cupcakes has grown from a ‘joke’ to a multi-million dollar, highly exclusive t-shirt brand. Earle will share the story of how, at age 19 and with a learning disability, he took his brand from the trunk of his rusty car to some of the world’s most sought-after retail locations. With a focus on the power of details, experience and loyalty, Earle’s presentation provides a comprehensive blueprint for getting any small business, passion or idea off the ground, while also expanding the way existing creators think.
Sharing wisdom
Soraya Darabi is an impact investor and co-founder of Zady.com. She began her career as the first-ever manager of digital partnerships and social media for the New York Times; her strategies are still in place today. Since named as one of Fast Company’s ‘most creative people in business’, she’s a leader in next-generation digital communications and e-commerce, and has helped numerous brands and companies of all sizes to anticipate, understand and maximise emerging digital trends. In her keynote, Darabi will explore strategies for creating a customised engagement plan, to help your organisation attract the current and next generation of consumers.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
TRADE SHOW
The two-day IHRSA International Trade Show is the place for health club operators to discover the world’s newest and best fitness products, technologies and services, showcased by more than 350 exhibitors from around the globe. Be the first to see and try out the latest strength and cardio equipment – much of which will be making its world debut on the IHRSA trade show floor.
FINANCIAL PANEL
When conceptualising the first IHRSA Financial Panel 20 years ago, Rick Caro – president of industry consultancy Management Vision and former president of the IHRSA board – knew the audience would benefit most from the experience of outside experts.
“Club leaders spend too much time discussing the same topics,” he says. “Outside experts can be helpful in giving us a well-rounded picture.
“I wanted financial experts who would give us a new perspective on analogous industries, trend information and, most importantly, the current state of the health club industry and where it could be going in future.”
The panel was so successful that it has been a mainstay of the IHRSA International Convention and Trade Show ever since and returns in 2017.
IGNITE!
This fast-paced, 75-minute event will allow selected speakers to prepare 20 slides, each shown for 15 seconds, giving all presenters just five minutes of fame. IGNITE! presenters will have the chance to share their personal and professional insights on a host of wide-ranging topics that can be informative, enlightening, humorous or just plain fun!
EDUCATION TUTORIALS
The tutorial programme is designed to assist attendees who are facing challenges in their day-to-day operations. Attendees will be grouped according to their particular challenges and placed with an industry professional who will facilitate practical ‘solution discoveries’. These groups will be limited in size to maximise interaction.
NETWORKING ROUNDTABLES
The opportunity to network with club operators from around the world is one of the most requested IHRSA Convention activities each year. Facilitated by a moderator, these roundtable discussions provide attendees with the chance to connect and share knowledge and ideas on a variety of critical topics.
WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
These hands-on, half- and full-day workshops and supplier seminars – presented by a variety of IHRSA associate members that are also exhibiting at the trade show – allow you to dig deeper into the programmes and products that can boost the success of your club. Learn more about products and services that you can then ‘test-drive’ on the show floor.
REGISTER TODAY
For the full agenda, to register for the event and for hotel information, visit ihrsa.org/convention
Registration fees increase after Monday 23 January.
IHRSA’s discounted hotel rooms will be subject to availability until Friday 3 February. After this date, the official IHRSA room blocks will be released and the hotels will charge significantly higher rates.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
About IHRSA
Founded in 1981, IHRSA – the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association – is the only 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
