Two major players in the European fitness industry will continue to work closely together for the coming years. EuropeActive, the leading voice and non-profit association representing the European fitness and physical activity sector, and FIBO, the leading International Trade Show for Fitness, Wellness and Health, have agreed to extend their partnership for another three years. The focus of the cooperation is to strengthen the fitness industry. Taking into account the demographic trends, socio-economic developments, new technologies and concepts, the aim is to promote growth across the entire ecosystem of the fitness and physical activity sector.
The close ties between EuropeActive and FIBO were reaffirmed by the appointment of Silke Frank, Event Director of FIBO since 2017, to the Board of EuropeActive in April 2020. "Our visions for the development of the industry point in the same direction", says Silke Frank. "It's about innovation and qualifications within the industry, and it's about convincing more people to live a physically active and healthy lifestyle. The importance of our great industry cannot be underestimated. With EuropeActive we have the best partner for this on our side."
EuropeActive’s Executive Director, Andreas Paulsen, stated: “We are very proud and excited to renew and extend our partnership with FIBO as the global leader when it comes to trade shows for our sector. EuropeActive’s partnership with FIBO around the major events of the annual FIBO Week goes back many years, and above all we have created the most prominent industry networking and educational event together, in the form of the European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF). For years, the EHFF has been the unifying annual ’townhall’ of the European fitness and physical activity sector. In 2021 that annual platform for learning, connecting and collaborating across the ecosystem has never been more important, as we collectively define our sector’s future beyond Covid-19.”
EHFF: A leading European networking event
As usual, the 8th European Health and Fitness Forum will take place one day before FIBO. The EHFF has become the most important international conference and number-one networking event for leaders and executives of the fitness and physical activity sector. EHFF is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 23rd of June and will address the four areas of EuropeActive’s Sectoral Manifesto: Health, Digital, Community and Standards through various interactive sessions with top-quality European and international speakers. EHFF 2021 will be a hybrid event with participants joining on-site and virtually with a full pre- and post-event programme. The event will be moderated by Jennifer Halsall-de Wit (EuropeActive Board Member and Chief Operating Officer of WIFA).
Market data will play a central role at the EHFF, with FIBO co-funding the work of the European Health and Fitness Market Report, the joint study by EuropeActive and Deloitte. This annual report has become the fitness market data 'gold standard’ and provides our sector with reliable data on the state of the European industry as a whole. This year a special chapter will be dedicated to Covid19 impact and recovery data.
Further information regarding EHFF 2021, including final programme and registration details, will be provided in the coming weeks.
Additional events during the FIBO Week
In addition to EHFF, EuropeActive will be organising a number of other events in the days before the FIBO trade show. These will include the European Fitness Associations Forum, the President's Council Summit and the President’s breakfast for leaders of European national fitness associations. These events will facilitate ambitious learning and exchanges of ideas by bringing together the leaders and executives of stakeholders, from club operators and equipment suppliers to digital and tech, as well as providers of education and training. Furthermore, as FIBO supports various EuropeActive events and projects throughout the year, EuropeActive participates in several of FIBO’s other initiatives, such as being in the jury of The FIBO INNOVATION & TREND AWARD, which will be awarded at the EHFF.
For the first time, discounted FIBO tickets will be available for exercise professionals registered with EREPS (The European Register of Exercise Professionals). FIBO 2021 will take place from 24th to 27th June at the Cologne Exhibition Centre, with EHFF being on 23rd June. All events during the FIBO Week will adhere to the highest safety protocols and have extensive possibilities for virtual participation in place as a consequence of the uncertainty caused by Covid-19.