Oberhausen, 13.04.2021

Top international companies present their innovations at FitnessConnected

The innovative concept, which unites the areas of fitness, health and sports across industries for the first time and offers a qualitatively unique networking meeting for decision-makers, has the finger on the pulse of our current times: At the trade fair “FitnessConnected – part of the ISPO-Network”, which will take place from 18 to 20 November 2021 at the exhibition centre in Munich, numerous internationally active top players such as LifeFitness, Matrix, KBL, EGYM, Urban Sports Club, Gympass and ACISO will present their products and services.

In addition, the following almost forty other companies from various business areas have made a binding decision to become exhibitors at FitnessConnected, such as : ENERGY-O-MAT, Aventio Sports (Fit+), BALLance Concept, Dr. WOLFF® Sports & Prevention, bodyLIFE Medien, N.M.S., Ludwig Artzt, IHRSA, FT-Club, IST Jobbörse, SportMed S.A. (mobee 360), crosscorpo, ERGO-FIT, schwa-medico medical equipment, Schnell Trainingsgeräte, Richard Pflaum Verlag, excio, IST-Studieninstitut, Just Functional, CWA, Aschenbach Audio Team, Cellair Healthcare, Elbesport International, IFAA, UV-Power Licht, Gympass, Lowell Financial Services, hhp home health products, ugly, GrapiVit, PonteMed, Steripower, SUNS. Professional Beauty, extrafit, FAMOSO, Lighttech Lamp Technology, Pflaum-Verlag, EQUIMED, fib-berlin.

“More than 50 other top brands have also made reservations or have been offered their desired stand position,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected and Event Director of FIBO from 2013 to 2017, who is delighted with the great response. “Currently, only around 30 percent of the planned exhibition space is still available.” The organisers have thus come a great deal closer to their goal of launching a high-quality, pure trade show for the fitness, health and sports sector in close cooperation with around 100 innovation-oriented companies.

The positive interim result is, among other things, also the success of a closely cooperating network. FitnessConnected is flanked by a high-quality programme of events, such as the ACISO Congress, the IHRSA Smart Conference, the IFAA Solutions Day, the Fitness Real Estate + Investment Summit, the PhysioBIZZ, as well as the Forum of the Experten Allianz für Gesundheit e. V. and the IST Jobbörse.

The organisers, cooperation partners and supporters of FitnessConnected are united by the motivation to establish a pure trade fair as a benchmark event and eco-system for new business fields and to reposition fitness as an industry. The sales-oriented web platform for FitnessConnected will go online at the end of April. In contrast to classic trade fair websites, it is an interactive tool that is accessible all year round and can be used to present one’s own company and quickly bring innovations to the market.

“As organisers of FitnessConnected, we know how to handle the trust that the participating companies have placed in us very carefully, especially in these difficult economic times,” says Ralph Scholz. “We would therefore like to thank everyone for their willingness to support FitnessConnected as pioneers. And we hope, of course, that even more innovation-oriented companies will play a part in making our new trade fair concept a complete success with their participation as exhibitors.”

Read more at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Many well-known companies have already registered for FitnessConnected in Munich.

Oberhausen, 10.03.2021

FitnessConnected, which will take place in Munich from 18 to 20 November 2021, will be more than just a Trade Fair Event: it is increasingly developing into an international Networking Event where leading Decision-Makers meet to shape the Future of the Fitness Industry.

With the integration of the Forum of the Experten Allianz für Gesundheit e. V. (www.expertenallianz-gesundheit.de) in Hall C5, a platform will be created at and together with FitnessConnected where scientists will present their latest evidence-based studies and politicians will discuss the relevance of fitness and training offers with industry representatives on the basis of scientific facts.

At the same time, the aim is to offer the industry initiatives that emerged during the lockdown a joint podium to bring together the know-how of all departments – from science, politics, associations and communication – and to jointly set the course for the future. One thing the years 2020 and 2021 have clearly shown: in order to be heard in socio-political discussions in the future, existing evidence-based studies on the benefits and effects of physical training must become better known and new studies must be launched.

“In order to be better prepared for future crises, we as an industry must learn to join forces and pool our knowledge,” Mario Görlach, CEO of the Experten Allianz, is convinced. “The Experten Allianz was founded to offer scientists and politicians a central, scientifically sound body and to initiate and promote targeted studies that prove the social, societal and health benefits of regular, proportioned and machine-based training. We are delighted to have a partner in FitnessConnected to provide us with this unique public outreach opportunity through the Forum.”

“We see the Experten Allianz Forum as an open platform,” adds board member and lawyer, Dr Hans Geisler. “The forum will be designed in such a way that industry associations and initiatives such as #gesundheitbrauchtfitness can and should also present their scientific studies there. Our aim is not to unite everyone under one roof, but to move forward in a strength-oriented and better coordinated way in the future. We are bundling synergies.”

Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected and also spokesperson for the #gesundheitbrauchtfitness initiative, is pleased about the cooperation with the Experten Allianz: “With the establishment of the forum at FitnessConnected, Munich is sending a strong signal to the industry that it is possible to work closely together to move the industry forward together. The #gesundheitbrauchtfitness initiative will play its part in making this happen.”

Read more at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 02.03.2021

Trade Fair Design underlines networking and business Character

The international trade fair “FitnessConnected – part of the ISPO-Network”, which will take place from 18 to 20 November 2021 at the exhibition centre in Munich, will set new standards in many respects. This does not only apply to the innovative concept, which unites the areas of fitness, health and sports across all sectors for the first time. The claim to offer a qualitatively unique networking meeting for decision-makers with the B2B trade fair is to be visible and tangible for exhibitors and visitors at all times. For this purpose, a special trade fair design was developed, which reflects the value of the event, from the floor space layout to the individual trade fair stands.

The aim of the design development was to also give FitnessConnected an appropriate visual framework that does justice to the event with the claim “trade fair rethought”. “Thanks to the modern architecture of the Munich trade fair halls, it was possible to develop a truly extraordinary trade fair design for FitnessConnected,” sums up Sebastian Hoppe, Key Account Manager at MEPLAN GmbH, which is responsible for the unique design.

Often trade fairs with elaborate exhibition areas and stands that offer high-quality visual highlights can only be realised with great organisational and logistical effort. Not so FitnessConnected, however: “For the exhibition stands we offer, we partly use the basic structures newly developed for the IAA”, explains Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected and Event Director of FIBO from 2013 to 2017. “This means that exhibitors have very little logistical effort in planning and execution. Only the data for the wall designs and the exhibits have to be supplied – we take care of everything else.”

The result of the trade fair design development can be seen – in the truest sense of the word. The design not only contributes to the excellent presentation of the exhibitors’ products and services. It also helps with quick orientation at the fair and creates a special feel-good ambience for all visitors. In short: the design perfectly matches the networking and business character of FitnessConnected. And Ralph Scholz emphasises yet another aspect of the trade fair design: “The special value of the trade fair and stand presentation was only one of the aspects we took into account during the development. Almost more important, however, is that exhibitors will not incur any cancellation costs when using the system we developed if the fair cannot be held due to the pandemic.”

For more information go to www.fitness-connected.com

Captions:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected
Central aisle: A trade fair is always also a business card for an industry – FitnessConnected uses the basic elements newly developed for the IAA 2021
Bird’s eye view: Generous layout with a feel-good ambience: Ideas don’t necessarily need a lot of space, but a room to develop
Stand examples: From small to large: On request, FitnessConnected exhibitors can order stand construction as well – pandemic compliant and cancellable free of charge if the trade fair has to be cancelled due to Covid

Photo credits:
Trade fair renderings: MEPLAN GmbH

Oberhausen, December 2020

Innovative leading Traid Fair for the Fitness Industry starts with Premiere

The new international trade fair “FitnessConnected – part of the ISPO-Network” will take place from 18 to 20 November 2021 at the exhibition centre in Munich. The ACISO Congress, known for many years for its numerous top-class key note speakers and its first-class supporting programme, will be directly connected. The ACISO Congress is moving from Kassel to Munich and will start one day before FitnessConnected at the same venue.

The collaboration underscores FitnessConnected’s goal as a pure B2B trade fair to redefine the fitness industry’s self-image, opportunities and tasks. By connecting the interfaces between the sports segment, the healthcare system, the community sector and the care sector, the new trade fair concept helps to drive the development of cross-sector ideas. In addition, with the website www.fitness-connected.com, FitnessConnected offers a sales and marketing-oriented eco-system that is available all year round and in which synergies can be used beyond the trade fair, new target markets can be developed and products as well as services can be marketed.

“Thanks to the spatial and temporal connection of the ACISO Congress and FitnessConnected, from November 2021 there will finally be an annual central trade event that focuses on the innovations and future topics for the fitness industry,” Ralph Scholz, co-initiator of the new trade fair, is pleased about the cooperation. “With FitnessConnected, the ISPO network offers the fitness industry an innovative leading trade fair that is exclusively aimed at trade visitors,” Dr. Jeanette Friedrich, Global Head of the ISPO Group, also welcomes the cooperation. “For ISPO, the fitness industry is one of the most important growth areas in the sports sector – despite the pandemic-related restrictions. That’s why we are particularly pleased to welcome the ACISO Congress as a pre-opening event in Munich already for the premiere.” Oliver Sekula, Managing Director of ACISO Fitness & Health GmbH, emphasises the positive aspects and opportunities of the cooperation: “There are wonderful synergies for both Congress participants and trade fair visitors. The contact opportunities with the fitness industry have always been an important part of the Congress and will now be significantly enhanced even more.”

Oberhausen, 12.01.2021

New Cooperation strengthens the European Health and Fitness Industry

The international trade fair “FitnessConnected – part of the ISPO-Network”, which will celebrate its premiere from 18 to 20 November 2021 at the exhibition centre in Munich, can come up with another highlight: As part of a newly agreed cooperation, the renowned global association IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) will hold the “IHRSA SMART Summit” conference for the first time as a side event of FitnessConnected in the Bavarian capital in 2021.

With ISPO, the world’s largest platform for trends and innovations in the sports business, and IHRSA, FitnessConnected now cooperates with two globally active partners and thus benefits from the concentrated expertise of international heavyweights. As a pure B2B trade show with a focus on Europe, the trade fair redefines the self-image of the fitness industry, its opportunities and tasks. At the same time, FitnessConnected is a sales and marketing-oriented eco-system that positions the fitness industry as relevant to health and society, helps innovations to break through more quickly and opens up new markets.

IHRSA and FitnessConnected aim to achieve a high level of quality through close cooperation and coordination of their activities, create synergies, strengthen and connect each other’s network, share knowledge and together be a valuable partner for the fitness industry. “I am very happy about this great partnership with IHRSA. It brings us one important step closer to our goal of being the central European platform for the fitness industry,” said Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected and Event Director of FIBO from 2013 to 2017. “The connection of the IHRSA SMART Summit will make it possible to improve the transfer of know-how between the markets in Europe, the USA and worldwide and give the fitness industry new impetus for growth.”

The IHRSA SMART Summit kicks off with a club tour on Wednesday, 17 November 2021, offering sales, marketing, analytics, retention and technology (SMART) solutions for all gym operators looking to grow their business. This will be accompanied by high-profile key note presentations on the afternoon of the first day of FitnessConnected on 18 and 19 November 2021. The IHRSA SMART Summit replaces the European Congress, which was originally scheduled to take place in Berlin.

“I have known Ralph Scholz personally for many years and hold him in high regard,” said Jay Ablondi, Executive Vice President IHRSA. “We are both firmly convinced that bringing together our expertise and commitment to the fitness industry will offer outstanding added value to all trade fair visitors.”

Alan Leach, CEO West Wood Clubs, Ireland, and member of the IHRSA Board of Directors, is equally delighted: “The collaboration between IHRSA and FitnessConnected is the most exciting news for the fitness industry in 20 years! I can’t wait to join a host of fitness business entrepreneurs and fitness professionals at the ground-breaking conference and exhibition in Munich in November 2021. The timing of this event is the positive sign of hope that the industry needs to get through the current crisis and plan for better days,” Alan Leach expresses his enthusiasm. “The new industry event has been developed exclusively for those who want to grow their fitness business. Therefore, it will focus primarily on proven fitness business growth strategies – including professional sales systems, expert marketing knowledge, industry analysis and trends, member retention strategies and the latest fitness business technologies.”

Oberhausen, im Dezember 2020

Innovative Leitmesse der Fitnesswirtschaft startet mit Premiere

Die neue internationale Fachmesse „FitnessConnected – part of the ISPO-Network“ findet vom 18. bis 20. November 2021 auf dem Messegelände in München statt. Direkt angebunden wird der ACISO Congress, seit vielen Jahren bekannt durch die zahlreichen hochkarätigen Key-Note-Speaker und sein erstklassiges Rahmenprogramm. Der ACISO Congress zieht von Kassel nach München um und wird bereits einen Tag vor der FitnessConnected am gleichen Ort starten.

Die Zusammenarbeit unterstreicht das Ziel der FitnessConnected, als reine B2B-Messe das Selbstverständnis, die Chancen und Aufgaben der Fitnessbranche neu zu definieren. Durch die Verbindung der Schnittstellen zwischen dem Sportsegment, dem Gesundheitssystem, dem kommunalen Bereich und dem Pflegesektor hilft das neue Messekonzept dabei, die Entwicklung branchenübergreifender Ideen voranzutreiben. Darüber hinaus bietet die FitnessConnected mit der Website www.fitness-connected.com ein vertriebs- und marketingorientiertes Eco-System, das ganzjährig zur Verfügung steht und in dem über die Messe hinaus Synergien genutzt, neue Zielmärkte erschlossen und Produkte sowie Serviceleistungen vermarktet werden können.

„Durch die räumliche und zeitliche Verbindung des ACISO-Kongresses und der FitnessConnected wird es ab November 2021 endlich eine jährliche zentrale Fachveranstaltung geben, die sich auf die Innovationen und Zukunftshemen für die Fitnesswirtschaft konzentriert“, zeigt sich Ralph Scholz, Mitinitiator der neuen Fachmesse, erfreut über die Kooperation. „Mit der FitnessConnected bietet das ISPO-Netzwerk der Fitnesswirtschaft eine innovative Leitmesse an, die sich ausschließlich an Fachbesucher wendet“, begrüßt auch Dr. Jeanette Friedrich, Global Head der ISPO Group, die Zusammenarbeit. „Für ISPO gehört die Fitnessbranche zu den wichtigsten Wachstumsfeldern im Sportbereich – trotz der pandemiebedingten Einschränkungen. Deshalb freuen wir uns ganz besonders darüber, bereits zur Premiere den ACISO-Kongress als Pre-Opening-Veranstaltung in München begrüßen zu dürfen.“ Oliver Sekula, Geschäftsführer der ACISO Fitness & Health GmbH, betont die positiven Aspekte und Chancen der Kooperation: „Sowohl für die Congress-Teilnehmer als auch für die Messebesucher ergeben sich wunderbare Synergien. Die Kontaktmöglichkeiten zur Fitnessindustrie waren schon immer ein wichtiger Bestandteil des Congresses und werden jetzt noch einmal deutlich aufgewertet.“

Oberhausen, Oktober 2020

Exhibitors benefit from First-Mover Packages

The new international trade fair “FitnessConnected -part of theISPO-Network”, for which stand sales have now begun, will be held at the Munich Exhibition Centre from 18 to 20 November 2021. All exhibitors who would like to participate in the trade fair launch with their own stand have the unique opportunity to benefit from the discounted First Mover Packages until 31 October 2020.

As a pure B2B trade fair, FitnessConnected redefines the image of the fitness industry, its opportunities and tasks. At the same time, FitnessConnected is an innovative platform that interfaces with the sports segment, the healthcare system, the municipal sector and the care sector and develops cross-sector solutions.

“FitnessConnected will be more than just a ‘new trade fair’,” Ralph Scholz, co-initiator of the new trade fair, explains the objective. “FitnessConnected is a sales- and marketing-oriented eco-system that has set itself the task of positioning the fitness industry as relevant to health and society, helping innovations to achieve a breakthrough more quickly and opening up new target markets.

“FitnessConnected offers exhibitors a wealth of advantages and benefits. Due to the stand size limitation to a maximum of 250 square metres and the numerous additional services, such as savings on ancillary costs through included catering and fewer overnight stays through advantageous opening hours, etc., the participation investments are kept within manageable limits. In addition to Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the fair focuses on key countries from Scandinavia to Southern Europe and thus underlines the internationality of the event. The cross-sectoral concept, which spans the sports and fitness industry, the health market, the hotel industry, public institutions and city-relevant infrastructures, appeals to new target groups for the first time. In addition, the website www.fitness-connected.com offers a year-round marketing platform that can be used as a marketing and sales tool beyond the trade fair.

FitnessConnected is also exemplary with regard to the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to a forward-looking pandemic concept, which, for example, provides for stand occupancy of only about 50 percent of the hall space and additional free meeting areas to prevent stand overcrowding, the organisers offer special cancellation options that take into account all pandemic-related eventualities.

And there is another decisive advantage to the FitnessConnected: through the ISPO network, there will be additional touchpoints both at ISPO Munich 2021, which will take place from 31 January to 3 February 2021, and at OutDoor by ISPO, where the international sports and outdoor industry will meet in Munich from 20 to 23 June 2021. Special FitnessConnected areas with lecture stages and networking areas will be offered, for example. In addition, the event-related ISPO communication channels can be used. “Exhibitors who take part in two of the ISPO events or even all three trade fairs benefit from significant combined discounts,” says Ralph Scholz. “So, it’s definitely worth being there and helping to shape the future of the sports and fitness industry.”