The 2018 IHRSA Institute in Photos

Over four days in summer, 84 fitness industry professionals from four continents, 10 countries, and 26 states assembled at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School for The IHRSA Institute, which was sponsored by Aktiv Solutions, American Council on Exercise, Myzone, Perfect Gym Solutions, and Power Systems.

Once again, The IHRSA Institute lived up to its acclaim, helping to fuel the passion of experts and up-and-comers within the industry. With top-tier sessions on relevant topics for health club operators and innumerable opportunities to network with new and old colleagues, the event is always a memorable experience.

If you missed out on the event or want to revisit your experience, lucky for you, IHRSA staff helped capture all the fun at this year’s event. Here are some snapshots:

A.M. Fitness

Early birds start off their day on the right foot … or was it the left foot?

Scholarship Recipients Honored

Annie Fältman and Kelli Mokeler, who are the most recent IHRSA Institute scholarship recipients, were recognized after the Welcome & Orientation. Fältman is the owner and CEO of 360 Träningscenter in Skellefteå, Sweden, and is the recipient for the John McCarthy Scholarship. Mokeler is the director of personal training for Cedardale Health & Fitness in Haverhill, MA, and is the recipient of the Curt & Jane Beusman Scholarship.

Networking Fun

Fresh faces and old friends mingle during the numerous networking opportunities during the Institute.

Top-notch Education

Experts helped lead roundtable discussions, sessions, and talks on a variety of relevant topics including member retention, sales, data analytics, training programs, developing strategies, marketing tips, and more. Bill McBride, president and CEO of Active Wellness Sports Clubs & BMC3, took the stage to discuss industry trends, research and benchmarking.

Memorable Meals

Lunch and dinner were provided to the delight of attendees. Mealtimes were held at UNC's historic DuBose Home.

The Ol’ Swag Switch-a-roo

Attendees share their unique style and marketing approaches at this year’s logo swap, one of the more popular segments of the Institute.

All the Pomp and Circumstance

The 2018 IHRSA Institute graduation is a bittersweet ending to another memorable event.

Gather ’Round

Saying cheese as a group always solidifies new and old bonds.