Australasian Leisure Management backs Education Hub at Fitness Show Sydney

As part of initiatives at the Fitness Show Sydney that will provide a greater industry and commercial focus, Australasian Leisure Management and the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA), are backing a range of presentations in the Show’s Industry Zone PaySmartEducation Hub.

The 2018 Fitness Show, the largest exhibition of its type in the southern hemisphere, has introduced significant changes to differentiate between its consumer/participant spaces and its industry/commercial areas.

Key among these has been new FILEX convention owner Fitness Australia integrating FILEX’s Business stream presentations into a Business Hub in the Industry Zone. This will see the FILEX business program being presented on the upper level of the Fitness Show, in an area featuring business-to-business exhibitors with an adjacent Industry Lounge.

Being held at the International Convention Centre, Sydney the co-location will enable the business owners, managers and fitness professionals attending FILEX to gravitate onto the Fitness Show floor during its three days.

This collaborative venture will ensure the strongest line-up of speakers ever assembled for an Australian fitness event.

Fitness Show Event Director Shaun Krenz feels the integration of these new business elements is significant, advising “we have worked very closely with all of our key partners to ensure that next year’s event delivers a bigger and better Industry Zone.

“To do this in the best possible way it was decided that this zone needed its own designated floor upstairs, providing all with an environment that is conducive to business.”

Being held from 20th to 22nd April, the three-day Business stream will see more than 40 business presentations including additional sessions from international speakers Matt Wright, Senior Director of Fitness for Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness; California-based fitness industry leader Emma Barry; Andy Fosset, co-founder and Chief Executive of GMB Fitness and industry legend Thomas Plummer.

Local presenters sharing their professional skills and experience include Andrew Simmons, Richard Toutounji, Jamie Hayes, Georgia van Tiel, Emmett Williams, Justin Tamsett, Lynsey Fraser, Pete Gleeson, Steve Jensen and Chantal Brodrick.

In addition, FILEX will also hold the one-day FILEX Business Summit on Thursday 19th April.

Fitness Australia Chief Executive Bill Moore is enthusiastic about the program, advising “if your fitness business is looking to differentiate, diversify, innovate, or simply progress to the next level of success - whatever that means for you, then I invite you to come along and join me at the FILEX 2018 Business Summit, where you will gain the skills, knowledge and expertise to achieve your business goals.”

Fitness Show Event Director Shaun Krenz feels the integration of these new business elements is significant, advising “we have worked very closely with all of our key partners to ensure that (the) event delivers a bigger and better Industry Zone.

“To do this in the best possible way it was decided that this zone needed its own designated floor upstairs, providing all with an environment that is conducive to business.”

Moore is also enthusiastic about the integration, advising “it underscores everything that Fitness Australia, and indeed the fitness industry at large, holds dear - continuing quality education, raising the standard of our service offering, and the continued growth of the industry. No other event could eclipse this triumvirate of features that makes our Australian fitness professionals world class.

“Fitness Australia’s ownership of FILEX tells the community, the government and the business world that the fitness industry is robust and creative, that it is a serious and valid contributor to the health of Australians, that it is a mature industry worthy of investment, and that it is committed to growth and improvement of quality fitness services.”

Additionally, the Industry Zone will also feature an on-floor VIP Lounge and Education Hub. The lounge will provide exclusive networking events and targeted attendee meets with commercial exhibitors and invited guests, while the Education Hub provides all industry visitors the opportunity for free 30 minute seminars.

Krenz adds “we will continue to use insights from our global networks and the expert knowledge of the local customers to improve our offering.

“Nobody understands the industry better than our customers and our best chance of combined success is undoubtedly in working together towards a shared vision.

“Following on from our recent announcement surrounding the majority sale of our shows to Reed Exhibitions Australia, we have been buoyed by the level of international interest. Through our now global alignment with FIBO, the world’s leading and largest fitness expo, we now have connections with over 20 international sales agents. With this support, we look forward to bringing our attending visitors the widest range of fitness products and new innovations that we’ve ever experienced.”

The program has been optimised to attract all key industry buyers and decision makers, including traditional gym owners, managers and representation from all vertical markets such as councils, sporting clubs, educational facilities, rehabilitation and public service.

Supporting these Education Hub presentations, Australasian Leisure Management and the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA), are backing presentations are designed to attract those with a broader interest in aquatic, recreation and related sectors as well as those looking at careers in the industry.

Designed to complement, rather than overlap, the FILEX Business stream, the Australasian Leisure Management/ALFA presentations cover a range of industry development and emerging sector topics, including:

• Facility benchmarking and member experiences
• Secondary spending in fitness, recreation and sport facilities
• The rise of ‘adventure leisure’ and new types of active recreation experiences - Charting the growing popularity of trampolines centres, ropes courses, climbing gyms, bouldering, zip lines and related experiences and what managers and investors need to be aware and plan for.
• Industry careers and managerial development 
• Making the most of marketing communications and social media

The presentations will be held across the three-days of the Show.

Australasian Leisure Management Editor Karen Sweaney explains “we are enthusiastic about there being a dedicated Industry Zone at the Fitness Show as we feel it has the potential to attract a broader aquatic and recreation attendance.

“It is particularly exciting to see topics like industry careers, adventure leisure, secondary spending, media and communications, and careers covered which will potentially introduce new attendees to the event and, potentially, new professionals to the industry.”

The welcoming address to the FILEX Conference will also be followed by a two-hour break for delegates to engage with exhibitors while the FILEX Business reception will be held on the evening of Friday 20th April in the Industry Zone.

ALFA is to stage its seventh Annual Facility Manager’s Networking event on Friday 20th April 2018 in conjunction with the Fitness Show, Sydney.

The ALFA Facility Manager’s Networking Lunch is a must attend event for aquatic, fitness, recreation and sport facility managers and has been extremely successful for the past six years.

The Sydney Fitness Show is open to both industry and the general public. 

Click here for more information on the Industry Zone PaySmartEducation Hub.

Click here for more information on the FILEX Business Summit 2018 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar. 

Click here for more information on the Fitness Show in Sydney in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar. 

5th April 2018 - KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE 2018 FITNESS SHOW

13th March 2018 - SYDNEY FITNESS SHOW TO FEATURE ALFA FACILITY MANAGER’S NETWORKING LUNCH

9th March 2018 - F45 PLAYOFFS TO TEST SPEED, STRENGTH, AGILITY, ENDURANCE, MOBILITY AND POWER 

5th February 2018 - ENHANCED BUSINESS EMPHASIS AT 2018 SYDNEY FITNESS SHOW 

30th January 2018 - PRECOR ANNOUNCE ASSAULT FITNESS GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION DEAL AND NEW INTERVAL TRAINING CONSOLE

17th January 2018 - FOCUS ON BUSINESS AT 2018 FILEX CONVENTION 

8th November 2017 - FITNESS AUSTRALIA-LED JOINT VENTURE ACQUIRES FILEX CONVENTION

14th September 2017 - LES MILLS’ NEW ZEALAND GYMS WIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AWARD 

27th July 2017 - SURVEY SHOWS FERNWOOD DELIVERS AUSTRALIA’S MOST SATISFIED FITNESS CLUB MEMBERS 

26th July 2016 - AVERAGE COST OF GYM MEMBERSHIPS $65 A MONTH

11th November 2011 - PLUMMER WARNS OF THE DANGERS OF LOW-COST FITNESS MEMBERSHIPS