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IHRSA update
IHRSA 2017

The countdown for IHRSA 2017 has begun, with the event set to take place on 8–11 March in Los Angeles, California, US. Kristen Walsh gives a glimpse of what’s to come

By Kristen Walsh | Published in Health Club Management 2017 issue 1


This year, IHRSA’s 35th Annual International Convention and Trade Show heads back to America’s west coast, after a successful 2016 event in Orlando, Florida. This March, the LA LIVE campus in Los Angeles, California will once again be the site of IHRSA’s annual gathering of health club and fitness professionals from around the globe.


Sharing wisdom
We’re very excited about the keynote speakers lined up for this year’s event


 

Seth Mattison
 

Seth Mattison, founder and chief movement officer at FutureSight Labs, is an internationally renowned expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics. He advises many of the world’s leading brands and organisations on the key shifts in talent management, change and innovation, leadership and the future of work.

Mattison offers actionable content that can immediately impact business performance. He blends his own wide-ranging experience with cutting-edge research to develop fresh perspectives on strategic issues



Sharing wisdom

 

Martin Lindstrom
 

Martin Lindstrom – author, change agent and brand futurist – is recognised as one of the world’s leading brand experts, having pioneered such things as the introduction of brands on the internet (1994), the use of five senses in branding (2004), the introduction of neuroscience in advertising (2007) and the exploration of the next generation of subconscious communication (2010).

Lindstom was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME magazine, and is the author of several New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling books. He’s an advisor to numerous Fortune 100 companies, including McDonald’s, PepsiCo and American Express.



Sharing wisdom

 

Johnny Earle
 

Johnny Earle is a branding expert and founder of Johnny Cupcakes. Over the past decade, Johnny Cupcakes has grown from a ‘joke’ to a multi-million dollar, highly exclusive t-shirt brand. Earle will share the story of how, at age 19 and with a learning disability, he took his brand from the trunk of his rusty car to some of the world’s most sought-after retail locations. With a focus on the power of details, experience and loyalty, Earle’s presentation provides a comprehensive blueprint for getting any small business, passion or idea off the ground, while also expanding the way existing creators think.



Sharing wisdom

 

Soraya Darabi
 

Soraya Darabi is an impact investor and co-founder of Zady.com. She began her career as the first-ever manager of digital partnerships and social media for the New York Times; her strategies are still in place today. Since named as one of Fast Company’s ‘most creative people in business’, she’s a leader in next-generation digital communications and e-commerce, and has helped numerous brands and companies of all sizes to anticipate, understand and maximise emerging digital trends. In her keynote, Darabi will explore strategies for creating a customised engagement plan, to help your organisation attract the current and next generation of consumers.


ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

TRADE SHOW
The two-day IHRSA International Trade Show is the place for health club operators to discover the world’s newest and best fitness products, technologies and services, showcased by more than 350 exhibitors from around the globe. Be the first to see and try out the latest strength and cardio equipment – much of which will be making its world debut on the IHRSA trade show floor.

FINANCIAL PANEL
When conceptualising the first IHRSA Financial Panel 20 years ago, Rick Caro – president of industry consultancy Management Vision and former president of the IHRSA board – knew the audience would benefit most from the experience of outside experts.

“Club leaders spend too much time discussing the same topics,” he says. “Outside experts can be helpful in giving us a well-rounded picture.
“I wanted financial experts who would give us a new perspective on analogous industries, trend information and, most importantly, the current state of the health club industry and where it could be going in future.”

The panel was so successful that it has been a mainstay of the IHRSA International Convention and Trade Show ever since and returns in 2017.

IGNITE!
This fast-paced, 75-minute event will allow selected speakers to prepare 20 slides, each shown for 15 seconds, giving all presenters just five minutes of fame. IGNITE! presenters will have the chance to share their personal and professional insights on a host of wide-ranging topics that can be informative, enlightening, humorous or just plain fun!

EDUCATION TUTORIALS
The tutorial programme is designed to assist attendees who are facing challenges in their day-to-day operations. Attendees will be grouped according to their particular challenges and placed with an industry professional who will facilitate practical ‘solution discoveries’. These groups will be limited in size to maximise interaction.

NETWORKING ROUNDTABLES
The opportunity to network with club operators from around the world is one of the most requested IHRSA Convention activities each year. Facilitated by a moderator, these roundtable discussions provide attendees with the chance to connect and share knowledge and ideas on a variety of critical topics.

WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
These hands-on, half- and full-day workshops and supplier seminars – presented by a variety of IHRSA associate members that are also exhibiting at the trade show – allow you to dig deeper into the programmes and products that can boost the success of your club. Learn more about products and services that you can then ‘test-drive’ on the show floor.

 



Demos take place on the show floor
 


Visitors will get the chance to see and try out the latest group classes
 
REGISTER TODAY

For the full agenda, to register for the event and for hotel information, visit ihrsa.org/convention

Registration fees increase after Monday 23 January.

IHRSA’s discounted hotel rooms will be subject to availability until Friday 3 February. After this date, the official IHRSA room blocks will be released and the hotels will charge significantly higher rates.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

 



About IHRSA
Founded in 1981, IHRSA – the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association – is the only global trade association, representing more than 10,000 health and fitness facilities and suppliers worldwide. Locate an IHRSA club at www.healthclubs.com

To learn how IHRSA can help your business thrive, visit www.ihrsa.org

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Supporting long-term health: why whole body vibration belongs in clinical settings
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay active, independent and feeling good for longer. [more...]

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
PSLT Ltd

PSLT Fitness Solutions manufacture, remanufacture and buy back commercial gym equipment. [more...]
IndigoFitness

At IndigoFitness, we create intelligent training spaces that elevate fitness facilities across indus [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ More diary  
 
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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
IHRSA update
IHRSA 2017

The countdown for IHRSA 2017 has begun, with the event set to take place on 8–11 March in Los Angeles, California, US. Kristen Walsh gives a glimpse of what’s to come

By Kristen Walsh | Published in Health Club Management 2017 issue 1


This year, IHRSA’s 35th Annual International Convention and Trade Show heads back to America’s west coast, after a successful 2016 event in Orlando, Florida. This March, the LA LIVE campus in Los Angeles, California will once again be the site of IHRSA’s annual gathering of health club and fitness professionals from around the globe.


Sharing wisdom
We’re very excited about the keynote speakers lined up for this year’s event


 

Seth Mattison
 

Seth Mattison, founder and chief movement officer at FutureSight Labs, is an internationally renowned expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics. He advises many of the world’s leading brands and organisations on the key shifts in talent management, change and innovation, leadership and the future of work.

Mattison offers actionable content that can immediately impact business performance. He blends his own wide-ranging experience with cutting-edge research to develop fresh perspectives on strategic issues



Sharing wisdom

 

Martin Lindstrom
 

Martin Lindstrom – author, change agent and brand futurist – is recognised as one of the world’s leading brand experts, having pioneered such things as the introduction of brands on the internet (1994), the use of five senses in branding (2004), the introduction of neuroscience in advertising (2007) and the exploration of the next generation of subconscious communication (2010).

Lindstom was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME magazine, and is the author of several New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling books. He’s an advisor to numerous Fortune 100 companies, including McDonald’s, PepsiCo and American Express.



Sharing wisdom

 

Johnny Earle
 

Johnny Earle is a branding expert and founder of Johnny Cupcakes. Over the past decade, Johnny Cupcakes has grown from a ‘joke’ to a multi-million dollar, highly exclusive t-shirt brand. Earle will share the story of how, at age 19 and with a learning disability, he took his brand from the trunk of his rusty car to some of the world’s most sought-after retail locations. With a focus on the power of details, experience and loyalty, Earle’s presentation provides a comprehensive blueprint for getting any small business, passion or idea off the ground, while also expanding the way existing creators think.



Sharing wisdom

 

Soraya Darabi
 

Soraya Darabi is an impact investor and co-founder of Zady.com. She began her career as the first-ever manager of digital partnerships and social media for the New York Times; her strategies are still in place today. Since named as one of Fast Company’s ‘most creative people in business’, she’s a leader in next-generation digital communications and e-commerce, and has helped numerous brands and companies of all sizes to anticipate, understand and maximise emerging digital trends. In her keynote, Darabi will explore strategies for creating a customised engagement plan, to help your organisation attract the current and next generation of consumers.


ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

TRADE SHOW
The two-day IHRSA International Trade Show is the place for health club operators to discover the world’s newest and best fitness products, technologies and services, showcased by more than 350 exhibitors from around the globe. Be the first to see and try out the latest strength and cardio equipment – much of which will be making its world debut on the IHRSA trade show floor.

FINANCIAL PANEL
When conceptualising the first IHRSA Financial Panel 20 years ago, Rick Caro – president of industry consultancy Management Vision and former president of the IHRSA board – knew the audience would benefit most from the experience of outside experts.

“Club leaders spend too much time discussing the same topics,” he says. “Outside experts can be helpful in giving us a well-rounded picture.
“I wanted financial experts who would give us a new perspective on analogous industries, trend information and, most importantly, the current state of the health club industry and where it could be going in future.”

The panel was so successful that it has been a mainstay of the IHRSA International Convention and Trade Show ever since and returns in 2017.

IGNITE!
This fast-paced, 75-minute event will allow selected speakers to prepare 20 slides, each shown for 15 seconds, giving all presenters just five minutes of fame. IGNITE! presenters will have the chance to share their personal and professional insights on a host of wide-ranging topics that can be informative, enlightening, humorous or just plain fun!

EDUCATION TUTORIALS
The tutorial programme is designed to assist attendees who are facing challenges in their day-to-day operations. Attendees will be grouped according to their particular challenges and placed with an industry professional who will facilitate practical ‘solution discoveries’. These groups will be limited in size to maximise interaction.

NETWORKING ROUNDTABLES
The opportunity to network with club operators from around the world is one of the most requested IHRSA Convention activities each year. Facilitated by a moderator, these roundtable discussions provide attendees with the chance to connect and share knowledge and ideas on a variety of critical topics.

WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
These hands-on, half- and full-day workshops and supplier seminars – presented by a variety of IHRSA associate members that are also exhibiting at the trade show – allow you to dig deeper into the programmes and products that can boost the success of your club. Learn more about products and services that you can then ‘test-drive’ on the show floor.

 



Demos take place on the show floor
 


Visitors will get the chance to see and try out the latest group classes
 
REGISTER TODAY

For the full agenda, to register for the event and for hotel information, visit ihrsa.org/convention

Registration fees increase after Monday 23 January.

IHRSA’s discounted hotel rooms will be subject to availability until Friday 3 February. After this date, the official IHRSA room blocks will be released and the hotels will charge significantly higher rates.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

 



About IHRSA
Founded in 1981, IHRSA – the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association – is the only global trade association, representing more than 10,000 health and fitness facilities and suppliers worldwide. Locate an IHRSA club at www.healthclubs.com

To learn how IHRSA can help your business thrive, visit www.ihrsa.org

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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Supporting long-term health: why whole body vibration belongs in clinical settings
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay active, independent and feeling good for longer. [more...]

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
PSLT Ltd

PSLT Fitness Solutions manufacture, remanufacture and buy back commercial gym equipment. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS