Nearly 12,000 fitness industry professionals from 80 countries were in Los Angeles from 8 to 11 March to attend IHRSA 2017, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association’s 36th Annual International Convention and Trade Show. During four huge days, these attendees experienced the latest equipment and technology from 376 exhibitors, listened to industry experts speak and participated in networking and social events.

Each of the four days was highlighted by an inspiring keynote presentation. To kick off IHRSA 2017, Seth Mattison spoke about the interaction of workplace trends, generational dynamics and leadership strategies. On Thursday morning, Martin Lindstrom – author, change agent and brand futurist – presented ‘Forget big data, small data defines the future’.

On Friday, attendees were prompted to think outside the box by entrepreneur Johnny ‘Cupcakes’ Earle, founder of the Johnny Cupcakes t-shirt brand. And on the final day of the convention, Soraya Darabi, co-founder of Zady, gave attendees a unique insight into how they could successfully create their own customised engagement plan to keep members coming back for more.

In addition to these inspiring keynote speakers, there were more than 150 educational, exercise and networking sessions on offer, many simultaneously translated into Chinese (sponsored by ChinaFit), French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. International attendees convened at the annual Planet IHRSA networking reception and in the event’s International Lounge.

Talking tech
‘Technology’ was a buzzword heard many times throughout the event. It has been deemed so important for the success of the industry that in September 2016, IHRSA chair Rasmus Ingerslev announced the formation of IHRSA’s Innovation and Technology Advisory Council as a means to help identify important technology-related issues and trends. The diverse group of individuals representing operator, supplier and technology companies met for the first time on March 10, during IHRSA 2017.

“The goal is to gather the smartest minds from in and around our industry in order to ensure that all IHRSA members are ‘in the know’ in regards to how technology will impact our industry,” said Ingerslev.

“One issue that all council members agreed upon during the meeting is that there seems to be a wide knowledge gap amongst club operators in the industry. Therefore, one of the immediate goals of the council will be to help IHRSA provide information and education to club operators to aid them in making sound innovation and technology decisions.”

“Consumers are in control – brands need to stop interrupting with bad technology and trying to sell unwanted products or services and instead start having smart conversations and start listening,” added David Minton, director of LeisureDB. At the IHRSA European Congress in London in October, LeisureDB will be presenting its data analysis platform and the historical trends from the company's annual State of the UK Fitness Industry Report and live monitoring of the industry from its Social Media Fitness Index.

Award recipients
Three industry leaders were recognised during IHRSA 2017 for their commitment to the industry and for serving their local communities. The Outstanding Community Service Award was presented to FITNESS SF of Corte Madera, California; the Julie Main Scholarship was presented to Ellen Latham, MS, co-founder and partner of Orangetheory Fitness; and the Associate Member of the Year went to TRX.

IHRSA board of directors
It was announced during IHRSA 2017 that Derek Gallup, executive vice president of fitness for New Evolution Ventures, will begin his term as IHRSA’s 2017–2018 chairperson on 1 July 2017.
“I am honoured to represent the fitness industry as the IHRSA chair for 2017–2018,” said Gallup. “Our goal will be to lead the way in reversing the physical inactivity epidemic through high visibility and active leadership in our communities, at the IHRSA convention and other fitness gatherings around the world. We will innovate through cutting edge technology and attract millennials as IHRSA members and fitness customers.”

Gallup will take over the position from chair Rasmus Ingerslev, who will serve an additional year on the board as ex-officio.

Bash for Augie’s Quest
Another highlight of IHRSA 2017 was the 12th Annual Bash for Augie’s Quest, which raised nearly US$3.5m in funds to fight ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). An incredible US$2.08m of this was raised by Orangetheory Fitness, which was presented with the 2017 Augie’s Quest Leadership Award. The company’s inaugural #IBurn4ALS campaign, lasting just two weeks via 620 of its popular locations, resulted in both the largest in-club fundraiser to date and largest single-year campaign ever for the organisation.

Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is the challenge the fitness industry dared to accept, raising more than US$35m since its inception. Every dollar raised via the industry directly benefits Augie’s Quest, the ALS research initiative led by founder of Life Fitness Augie Nieto and his wife Lynne Nieto on behalf of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ALS TDI is the world’s first non-profit biotech organisation, with more than 30 scientists focused on finding a cure for ALS.