FIBO with its reputation for educating, motivating and shaking up the health and fitness sector, is set to be bigger than ever in 2017. The leading international trade show for fitness, wellness and health is expected to attract approximately 1,000 exhibitors and 150,000 attendees from around the world when it takes place in Cologne, Germany from 6–9 April 2017.

FIBO 2017 will focus on competence and practical knowledge. “We’ve put together a packed yet to-the-point programme,” says FIBO director Ralph Scholz. “Everything revolves around continuing education, networking and inspiration for the entire fitness industry.”

This is possible thanks to FIBO’s extensive network, which includes such organisations as FISAF International, the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS), the International Fitness Academy IFAA and European industry association EuropeActive.

Group fitness
The question of how to strengthen group identity and prevent churn will be explored in the new Group Fitness World in Hall 4.1. Two centrally located stages will provide information for decision-makers on which new classes to add to their club’s offering.

For an efficient overview of what’s new and popular in the industry, visitors are advised to attend the FIBO Innovation and Trend Show.

In 60 minutes, studio operators and trainers will get a compact, in-depth look at innovative concepts, presented by product and service providers in short, live demonstrations.

European Convention
The first-ever FIBO European Convention provides a further opportunity for skill development. Powered by FISAF International and supported by EuropeActive and EREPS, it takes place on 8 and 9 April in Hall 5.1. Leading European instructors – including Gil Lopes, Katia Vasilenko, Claudio Melamed and Guillermo G Vega – will be teaching exclusive masterclasses.

Also set to be explored at the convention is aqua fitness, with the first pool stage in FIBO’s history featuring a programme that includes cycling and cross-training in the water. Dutch Zumba star Jaromir Cremers will demonstrate the Aqua Zumba Wet’N’Wild workout he created by fusing Latin American dance workouts with aqua training.

In the supporting programme, seminars will focus on how trainers can develop their own brand, how to successfully deploy social media, and how to motivate themselves and others to perform at the highest level.

The number of participants at the convention is limited to 3,000, so early registration is recommended.

Smart training
A wide array of equipment will be on show at the event, with leading providers – such as Life Fitness, Technogym, Matrix (Johnson Health Tech), Precor, Star Trac, SportsArt, gym80, Hoist, eGym, milon and Keiser – presenting their latest health and fitness developments.

It’s clear that tech is still a top trend. Les Mills will introduce an app that makes it easier for new members to start exercising at a gym; Life Fitness has combined a bicycle ergometer with a virtual reality game to keep people engaged during cardio workouts; and Augletics’ new rowing ergometer, which digitally enables group training, will celebrate its world premiere at FIBO.

eGym and milon will be among the exhibitors showcasing networked training areas at FIBO, with eGym’s star attraction being enhanced connectivity: gym members can log in to all connected devices, across a variety of brands.

milon will introduce the Connected Training System (CTS). This links fitness studios with a partner network whose members include healthcare suppliers like cardioscan, easySolution, InBody and Polar. This collaboration facilitates holistic health counselling and EKG-based cardio and stress tests.

A new way to network
FIBO 2017 will introduce a targeted online matchmaking tool to match exhibitors and trade visitors before the show starts. “FIBO is getting larger and larger, and more international”, says Scholz. “That’s why it’s important to make finding and meeting contacts straightforward, especially for our trade visitors.”

The new tool allows you to filter participants by country, topic or trade show and set up meetings. The use of the tool will be automatically enabled for all exhibitors and registered visitors.

Each participant will receive an email with his or her personal schedule on the Friday before the show opens, ensuring effective time management for both exhibitors and visitors.

Camp out
For the first time, affordable accommodation is being offered to all trade visitors. The FIBO Convention Camp features camping facilities, chill-out zones, catering and drinks, and provides a great place to meet other attendees. Packages are available from €121 – for more information, visit www.fibocamp.de