Workforce development has been announced as the theme for active-net 2017, with the two-day conference to explore efforts and initiatives from the likes of Sport England and CIMSPA to professionalise the physical activity sector.

The educational element of the conference will include a panel discussion with Stephanie Maurel, the strategic lead for people at Sport England, CIMSPA CEO Tara Dillion and Marcus Kingwell, managing director of AoC Sport.

“Sport England’s Towards an Active Nation five-year plan aims to transform delivery through a new workforce strategy,” said David Monkhouse, director of event organiser Leisure-net.

“Couple that with the first anniversary of CIMSPA’s Affiliate and Practitioner scheme and active-net’s new link with the AoC Sport, and it made perfect sense to theme the entire conference around workforce development.”

active-net brings together over 100 leading operators and suppliers within the active leisure sector for business-focused, pre-selected one-to-one meetings, together with informative educational slots, networking lunches and an evening meal. The fourth annual event will take place on 29-30 March 2017 at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham.

Sport England’s Stephanie Maurel added: “Sport England is currently working on the Professional Workforce strategy for the sector, to be published in December, and we look forward to sharing the finer detail of the strategy with delegates at active-net 2017.

“Sport England is committed to supporting CIMSPA to become strong, independent and empowered by its members and CIMSPA will have a large role to play in this strategy going forwards.”