Reed Exhibitions Australia announces discontinuation of The Fitness Shows in Melbourne and Sydney

With its global events and exhibition business dramatically impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, Reed Exhibitions Australia has announced that it is to discontinue The Fitness Shows that it runs in Sydney and Melbourne.

The announcement follows Fitness Show Director, Shaun Krenz having left Reed Exhibitions in the past week - joining events company National Media to launch the new Business of Fitness event.

Reed Exhibitions, which earlier this month cancelled its flagship Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne event, has repored a drop in global revenue of more than 70% in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

Making drastic cuts to staff and events, Reed Exhibitions Australia Managing Director, Brian Thomas today advised “over the past few weeks, Reed Exhibitions has been undergoing a thorough and extensive review of our entire events portfolio in order to reshape our company to maintain a strong and progressive business for the future.

“I regret to announce that it was decided during this review that The Fitness Shows in Sydney and Melbourne will be discontinued and no longer be a part of Reed Exhibitions’ calendar of events.

Thomas added “there is no doubt that The Fitness Shows in Sydney and Melbourne were valued events for the fitness community. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, partners, suppliers and friends within the innovative, vibrant and dynamic fitness industry in Australia.

“We hope that The Fitness Shows played some small role in bringing the community together and providing a space where long lasting relationships could be formed.

“Finally, I would like to thank the Fitness team here at Reed Exhibitions, who have worked tirelessly and passionately over the years in order to make The Fitness Shows in Sydney and Melbourne successful events for their exhibitors."

Reed Exhibitions has also announced that FIBO 2020, the leading international trade show for fitness, wellness and health, which was to be held in the German city of Cologne from 1st to 3rd October, will now take place as a fully digital event rather than an in-person event.

The decision not to hold FIBO as a live event at the Cologne Exhibition Centre was made after numerous discussions with exhibitors and partners, with Hans-Joachim Erbel, Chief Executive of Reed Exhibitions Deutschland GmbH, advising "together we had hoped that we would be able to get back on track with the industry in October after the months of lockdown. 

"Unfortunately, this will not be the case due to the ongoing development of the pandemic and the uncertainty that this brings."

FIBO had already been postponed from its original April dates due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. 

FILEX announcement expected
With the Fitness Show in Sydney co-located with Fitness Australia's FILEX Convention, Fitness Australia is expected to announce arrangements for the continuation of FILEX in a virtual environment in 2020 and an in-person event in 2021.

Australasian Leisure Management understands the 2021 Sydney event will include an exhibition/trade show.

Click here to view dates and locations for fitness industry events in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image: Demonstrations at the Fitness Show Sydney.

Article amended: 7.25am, 29th July 2020.