IHRSA/Fitness Brasil going strong at 15

Fitness Brasil President Waldyr Soares opens the 2013 show.When the IHRSA/Fitness Brasil Latin American Conference & Trade Show first opened its doors 15 years ago it was a much different event than the one Latin American and South America will see this week.

Then again, it’s not like the event that Fitness Brasil President Waldry Soares put on in 2000 was the norm.

Back then the industry it was about physical education – working your body to look the best it could. There was little about health prevention and quality of life. He went for it regardless of perception and the norm.

"Fifteen years ago, there were no academies in the knowledge that physical exercises were important for longevity. Everyone worked out, but only from the perspective of body worship,” said Soares, in Fitness Business magazine. “Over time, medical research and laboratory examinations made that society passed to understand physical activity as the cheapest remedy, which helped leverage our enterprise.” 

Click here to read on about education, trade shows and a new publication to be unveiled.

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Gold Award for IHRSA's support of Augie's Quest

Augie, Lynne, Elvis and Las Vegas performers during the 2013 BASH for Augie's Quest.IHRSA’s connection with Augie’s Quest is to both support further research for a cure of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and fitness pioneer and friend, Augie Nieto. It certainly is not done for any awards or recognition. 

Recently IHRSA was recognized by ASAE – an association that supports and represents associations – with its Power of A Gold Award for its role as facilitator in bringing the fitness industry together to support Augie’s Quest, which funds research and drug development to end ALS.

Read on for more on the ASAE award.

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2014 IHRSA Global Report offers useful and pertinent information

The health and fitness industry is doing quite well. One would be hard-pressed to argue against it. Recent reports, studies and research prove that.

• revenue grew to $77.5 billion, up from $75.7 billion
• 3,000 clubs worldwide; last year the number was just over 150,000
• 32,150 facilities, a 2,000 increase
• 140 million club users, a huge jump from 131.7 million last year

It isn’t just about numbers. How about these accolades:

• A recent study said that fitness is the world’s biggest sport and there is still plenty of room for growth.
• Entrepreneur magazine placed Anytime Fitness at the top of its 2014 Franchise 500 list.
• Franchise Times named Snap Fitness and Founder and CEO Peter Taunton a Dealmaker of the Year in February 2014. 
• Anytime Fitness plans to open more than 1,500 clubs in the next five years; Planet Fitness added 50.

More on these findings, and what this means to the industry, can be found in one place – the 2014 IHRSA Global Report, which is now available in a PDF. The publication is the most up-to-date on the global fitness industry, consisting of an industry overview, research, and company and supplier profiles.

Read on to learn more about what the 2014 IHRSA Global Report has to offer, and how to order it.

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IHRSA's European Congress is in less than 6 months

The IHRSA European Congress is without a doubt an international event. Last year the more than 500 attendees represented 36 countries. Spain, the host country, led the way with 138 registered participants; Russia (87) and France (55) rounded out the top three.

This year there is a comparable schedule of educational sessions and speakers, another impressive lineup of trade show booths, and great networking events and club tours.

“The seminars and networking opportunities are designed to spark conversation among delegates and engage them in new ways of thinking about the future of their business,” said Hans Muench, IHRSA Europe director.

The event is Oct. 16-19 at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Read on to see more on European Congress and how to register.

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Spectacular IHRSA 2014 all around

The numbers are in, and they look mighty nice: 11,000+ industry professionals; 7,000+ convention and trade show attendees; 81 countries represented; and 372 trade show exhibitors.

Of course this was what we have announced as the final tally from IHRSA 2014 33rd Annual International Convention & Trade Show, held March 12-15 in San Diego.

Everyone involved in putting it together, sponsors and advertisers, and attendees had a wonderful time and felt it was one of the best, if not the best, in 33 years.

Click here for a full IHRSA 2014 recap.

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