Oberhausen, 29.03.2022

FitnessConnected in November 2022: now even bigger and with closer ties between three strong brands in Munich – Sales kick-off in May

After the successful premiere in November 2021, the B2B trade show for fitness, health and sports is going into its second round: FitnessConnected 2022 will take place again at the Munich exhibition center from 28 to 30 November, 2022. Thanks to a smart further development of the trade show format, the proven core competencies of FitnessConnected – a clear focus on business and future topics as well as interdisciplinary networking of industries from fitness, health and sports – will now be offered in an even more effective way to trade visitors and exhibitors. Two strong and renowned brands will help: FitnessConnected 2022 will take place as part of ISPO Munich, the world’s leading international trade show for sports, and will also be supported by therapie MUNICH, which, as an industry platform for therapy and medical rehabilitation and a ” focus on sports” in the therapie family of trade shows, will thus be making its first appearance in southern Germany.

Together with the two partners, three exhibition halls will be dedicated to the triad of Commercial Fitness, Home Fitness and Health – considerably more space than at the premiere of FitnessConnected last year: while FitnessConnected can focus fully on the topic of “Commercial Fitness” in its own exhibition hall, ISPO Munich will add the focus of “Home Fitness” and sports accordingly in its own hall and therapie MÜNCHEN will add the focus of “Medical
Fitness and Rehabilitation” and health in its hall respectively. Both exhibitors and trade visitors will thus benefit from new synergies, thanks to attractive ticket combinations. The start of sales for exhibitors officially begins on 2nd May 2022.

“I am confident that we will continue to build on the success story of FitnessConnected with this extended concept. Because this way, we create an effective networking of no less than three industries at just one location, but all of which have to do with exercise and health. At the same time, we are increasing the contact opportunities for trade visitors and exhibitors alike while making new future markets more accessible,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected.

“We are very much looking forward to this new cooperation in November in Munich. For us as part of the therapie family, the joint event there means above all effective access to the second health market. Therapists can get interesting and helpful ideas from the fitness and sports sector for their daily practice. Conversely, at therapie MÜNCHEN we offer the latest findings and solutions from medicine and rehabilitation for three days, which can in turn also be highly interesting and relevant for the sports and fitness market,” says Birgit Mücklich, project director of the four therapie events at the Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Munich locations.

“In order to also be successful and develop innovations in the future, we have to focus on health-oriented people with all their needs. That’s why it makes absoltue sense to bring the areas of Commercial Fitness, Home Fitness and Medical Fitness together not only theoretically, but also to make it possible to experience them holistically in one place. This unique “one-stop-shopping” advantage is offered by the ISPO Munich events FitnessConnected and therapie MÜNCHEN, which are being held at the same time and place for the first time,” says Tobias Gröber, Head of ISPO Group.

You can find more detailed information at
www.fitness-connected.com
www.therapiemesse-muenchen.de
www.ispo.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected
Birgit Mücklich, project director of therapie Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Munich
Tobias Gröber, Head of ISPO Group

Oberhausen, 20.11.2021

“We have sent an important signal”

Almost 2,000 visitors over three trade show days, more than 100 top exhibitors with numerous innovations to experience and try out, an interdisciplinary and international supporting program and a noticeably good and upbeat mood: against the backdrop of the current COVID developments, the organizers can be pleased with the outcome of FitnessConnected, which took place live at Messe München from 18 to 20 November 2021.
“The real success is that we managed to put on a live trade show at all in these times, and a premiere to boot. We have proven: With a flexible, focused and pandemic-compliant concept, a live trade show is possible even then. It was so important to send this signal to the health-oriented fitness industry, and on an international level. Like all other sectors of the economy and their people, it will still have to deal with COVID for a long time to come. For the trade show sector, we have delivered a concept for the future with FitnessConnected,” sums up Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected.

Of course, higher visitor numbers would have been desirable, which could also have been accommodated in line with the pandemic. In view of the worsening COVID situation in Bavaria and associated restrictions such as the 2G rule in hotels as well as an announced lockdown in Austria, however, the result is satisfactory for the organizers, relatively speaking. The lower frequency did not detract from the quality of the personal exchange – on the contrary, as various comments prove:

“The atmosphere is good. There were fewer contacts than usual, but they were of high quality. For example, I met business contacts for whom I would otherwise have had to travel 2,000 kilometers. In my opinion, FitnessConnected proves to be successful as a B2B format where decision-makers come together. You can tell that the people here stand behind the concept and are motivated. (There is no comparable event in southern Germany yet).”
Philipp Artzt, Managing Director Ludwig Artzt GmbH

“It’s super safe here. We really have lots of space, and also the rooms are very generously set up. Everything is thoroughly disinfected. Of course, it’s always a bit up to the people and how they behave, but it really works quite perfectly here.”
Nadine Dreimann, Hhp Home Health Products

“We are delighted because we have all missed the personal exchange over the last two years – both the members and customers as well as us. It’s nice just to be back at the booth, to be able to show people something, to be able to move people. It’s just a cool thing that we have an opportunity here with our job and also with the products that we try to bring to the people via the direct exchange at this trade show.”
Hendrik Schall, Operations Manager crosscorpo GmbH

“I am happy that the trade show can also take place in this situation, because one thing is more important than ever: that people get moving or keep moving. We’ve all learned quite a lot about how to exchange ideas online, but real understanding and proper business is still done face-to-face, and that’s what the trade shows – and especially now FitnessConnected – are important for, to engage in good, authentic dialogue with each other.”
Marcus Meyer, CEO of Force of Disruption GmbH

“People learned about new therapeutic tools and approaches. That encourages new possibilities to specifically incorporate the fitness industry into therapy as well.”
Andrea Berz, self-employed physiotherapist in Munich

“I was very pleased that the mood among the exhibitors and visitors was extremely positive considering the current situation. Good conversations are so important. Of course, three months ago no one would have guessed that the situation would be so dramatic and that so few visitors would find their way to Munich. But apart from that, it is a good start for a physical trade show. We need trade shows, we need exchange, we need trial and error. I’m glad we were there.”
Andreas Breitfeld, breitfeld-biohacking

“We have sent an important signal to the international fitness industry: Corona does not stop us from developing, innovating and networking. The last weeks and months have been very challenging and I am very grateful that so many exhibitors have nevertheless stuck to the concept, demonstrated courage, pioneering spirit and unity for the entire industry. As organizers, we have learned a lot in the last three days, which we will incorporate into the next FitnessConnected. After many discussions with exhibitors and visitors, however, it became clear that the basic concept for a focused event that places innovations at the center and links the various disciplines of the health-oriented fitness industry even more closely together is the right one.”

There are many reasons to get very excited about FitnessConnected 2022, which will certainly take place under much better conditions: From 24 to 26 November 2022, the second edition will run again at Messe München, in parallel with the newly designed trade show therapieMÜNCHEN. The journey to a networked and health-oriented fitness economy continues.

You can find more detailed information at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected
Impressions from the premiere of FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 18.11.2021

FitnessConnected off to a successful start

DThe first day of the new B2B trade show for fitness, health and sports, which is being held in Munich until 20 November 2021, has got off to a successful start. In exhibition halls C5 and C6, more than 100 top exhibitors from the entire health-oriented fitness industry will present their innovations. The accompanying supporting program kicks off with “Roadmap to Future powered by ACISO”. Visitors can experience the innovative ideas and products presented there, as well as future visions for the fitness industry, live on all three days of the trade show at four Future Areas: e.g. an electric cold sauna for increasing endurance and maximum strength and photobiomodulation as red light therapy at the Area “Biohacking,” e.g. HADO, an electronic dodgeball, and SENSE DOJO, a virtual personal coach, in the “Physical eSports” area; charging infrastructure for the gym in the “Outdoor & eMobiliy” area; and a fitness device that uses embroidered sensors to provide assistance to exercisers in the “Smart Fabrics-Technologies” area.

With maximum hygienic protection based on an anticipatory pandemic concept, the live trade show can be reliably held despite high incidences of COVID: This is ensured, for example, by additionally activating stand-by areas for individual discussions, even more touch-free hand disinfection dispensers across the trade show grounds and sufficient FFP2 masks, which are provided free of charge in case a new mask is needed. “Of course, as organizers, we are quite excited and eager to see how many visitors will come to FitnessConnected on all three days of the show, given the conditions, which are not easy. But we hope that our sophisticated pandemic concept can dispel any doubts and ultimately convince people, so that they can experience top innovations live and make and maintain business contacts face-to-face – albeit with an FFP2 mask,” says Ralph Scholz. However, his primary goal is not to achieve a certain number of visitors. He says it is much more important to show that the event concept with reduced booth space and full focus on innovations as well as interdisciplinary know-how transfer with a smart pandemic concept as a basis also works in these times. “We are setting an example for a networked interdisciplinary fitness industry that will not let itself be defeated even in difficult times,” says Scholz confidently.

The highlights of the following days of the trade show
In addition to the many innovations from the more than 100 top exhibitors, the supporting program on Friday will provide yet even more highlights: At the Fitness Real Estate + Investment Summit, leading operators of fitness, leisure and physiotherapy centers (chain stores and franchises) from German-speaking countries will meet with real estate, project developers, real estate portfolio owners, shopping center operators, municipal developers and investors/private equity companies. On Saturday, the physiotherapists’ congress PhysioBIZZ will focus on how therapists and trainers can help shape the future healthcare industry and leverage trends for their own practices. The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) and the German Industry Association for Fitness and Health (DIFG) will also set a joint example on Saturday at a joint event with illustrious guests: No longer competitors, fitness studios and sports clubs should become partners in the face of the pandemic and social change in general. On all three days of the trade show, hot topics will also be discussed at the bodyLIFE Talk.

“There is a lot to see, learn and discuss. I am excited and look forward to seeing all the pioneers who will join us in making a strong statement,” says Ralph Scholz. Visitors are advised by the organizer to take a rapid lateral flow test in addition to the current 2G rule to ensure the highest level of protection against infection.

You can find more detailed information at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 16.11.2021

FitnessConnected will take place reliably – despite the fourth wave

Thanks to the anticipatory pandemic concept and expanded services, visitors and exhibitors will be able to experience the most important innovations in the fitness industry and valuable business contacts live from 18 to 20 November 2021.

“In the current situation of the fourth COVID-19 wave, it is understandable if visitors or people planning to visit FitnessConnected are unsettled. However, we have taken such a scenario with rising incidence levels into account from the very beginning in our pandemic-compliant event concept. With many interlocking sanitary components, we can provide visitors and exhibitors with the highest level of safety so that they can experience live contacts and innovations even in these times. We offer a focused event with the highest quality possible for B2B business endeavors. We can reliably run FitnessConnected,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected. To additionally minimize risks, further services are now offered as part of the anticipatory pandemic concept. The measures that have also generated the greatest benefits in previous waves will apply at FitnessConnected: Distance – Hygiene – FFP2 Masks – Testing.

Use of alternative areas for greater spacing in the catering zones
When planning the halls for FitnessConnected, “reserve areas” were planned from the outset, making it possible to expand catering and meeting zones. These areas are now also being activated. This enables exhibitors to leave their booths for meetings with their visitors in order to increase the distances between them.

Even more hygienic protection
To ensure that hygiene recommendations can be followed at all times and in all places, additional disinfectant dispensers are located at all meeting areas.

FFP2 masks – mandatory for visitors and exhibitors, FFP2 masks available on the premises
Occasionally, FFP2 masks are lost or torn. To ensure that every visitor and exhibitor has an FFP2 mask available, FFP2 masks are also provided.

An important reminder: come tested to the trade show!
The 2G rule and FFP2 mask requirement apply to visitors at FitnessConnected. This ensures the highest level of protection against infection. In addition, the organizers of FitnessConnected recommend that all visitors and exhibitors take a rapid lateral flow self-test before traveling to the trade show.

FitnessConnected – Taking responsibility means: remaining reliable, acting rationally
FitnessConnected is sending a clear message with its decision to hold the trade show as planned: With the proper preparations, it is possible to hold a trade show even in times of pandemic – just as it is possible to safely operate a gym even in times of COVID-19. A lockdown, whether imposed by the authorities or on a voluntary basis, would be fatal, Ralph Scholz is certain. “Of course, we have also thought about canceling FitnessConnected in recent days. After careful consideration, however, we have come to the decision that it would be exactly the wrong signal not to hold the trade show. We’ll have to learn to live with COVID-19 and its consequences in the coming months, or perhaps years. And we’d best start doing that right now.”

You can find more detailed information at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 16.11.2021

Innovation at FitnessConnected: How biohacking enhances fitness training

You can tweak many things to make your personal fitness training even more efficient and achieve even better results: dietary habits, training routines or sleep patterns are among them. The biohacking trend takes this to the extreme: biohackers get the best possible performance results by gaining a better understanding of their own biology thanks to cutting-edge technology and developing customized workouts and behaviors on this basis. One of the best-known biohackers in the German-speaking world is Andreas Breitfeld. In his Munich biohacking lab, the 48-year-old has tested all kinds of self-optimization possibilities. “At FitnessConnected, he will present his personal best-of biohacking tools live in a dedicated Future Area. The highly innovative applications are exciting for gym operators and trainers alike because they can be seamlessly integrated into fitness training,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected.

Optimizing performance through cold, heat, light and oxygen
“What works well for one person based on their individual biology may not necessarily apply to another. Biohacking takes these differences into account and helps people take (back) control of their own health with targeted measures,” explains Andreas Breitfeld. At his Future Area at FitnessConnected, he will present supporting technologies around preparation and regeneration that have particularly convinced him and whose effects are also scientifically supported in numerous studies: an electric cold sauna, photobiomodulation i.e. red light therapy; an infrared cabin, an oxygen chamber, automatic massage and alternative energy supply with smart sugars. “The cold sauna before exercise can increase endurance capacity and maximum strength. Spending time in the infrared cabin provides more energy to the body and boosts regeneration. And the increased oxygen volume in the purpose-built chamber ensures higher levels of performance,” summarizes the expert. All the equipment can be tried out live at FitnessConnected.

Biohacking has a lot of potential in the fitness industry
What can be experienced at the Future Area Biohacking can be well integrated into fitness studios as effective training preparation and follow-up. It also offers gym members added value that they don’t have at home. And it fits in well with the other future trends themed at FitnessConnected – the latest wearables for tracking exercise, sleep, body temperature and breathing, for example. “I think there’s still a lot of potential to use these exciting technologies for effective training and, if necessary, to connect them even better. Biohacking allows me to measure a great many body functions. For example, I can see from my heart rate variability if I’m better recovered. So, combined with well-structured bodywork and targeted pre- and post-training, like we’re seeing here at the trade show, training can become much more effective. In the fitness industry, we are still at the very beginning. But I’m convinced that this journey is worth it.”

More information can also be found at breitfeld-biohacking.com
You can find more detailed information at www.fitness-connected.com

Bildunterschrift:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected
Andreas Breitfeld, breitfeld-biohacking
Picture 3: An electric cold sauna that can increase endurance capacity and maximum strength before a workout.
Picture 4: An oxygen chamber that can increase the oxygen volume of exercisers, thus enhancing their performance.

Oberhausen, 11.11.2021

Innovation at FitnessConnected: The Opportunities Physical eSports Bring to the World of Fitness

Gaming has become an integral part of society: 58 percent of Germans play computer and video games, according to the latest figures from the GfK Consumer Panel, thus generating annual sales of EUR 8.5 billion in the industry. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to people in this country exercising less than previously and also gaining weight. “I therefore see great potential in harnessing people’s gambling instincts to get them to move more. Gamification, experience and convention are also becoming increasingly important in the fitness sector. That’s why I’m very pleased that we have a dedicated Future Area on the subject at FitnessConnected from 18 to 20 November,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected. In the 160-square-meter designated area, physical eSports can be experienced and tried out live – from HADO, an electronic version of dodgeball, to SENSE DOJO, a virtual personal coach, to Beat Saber, a rhythm game in virtual reality format.

Gamification boosts motivation
Experience points, rankings, virtual goods, high scores: all these elements of gamification lead to motivation and an accompanying sense of achievement – just like in a good fitness workout. “The gamified concept allows people to forget about the time invested in fitness and stay the course,” says Marcus Meyer, managing director of Force of Disruption GmbH, an agency specializing in eSports and live communication, that will be exhibiting its products and services at FitnessConnected. The possibilities for bringing competitive elements of gaming into the fitness world are varied: gamers, for example, can use special input devices to move as avatars in virtual worlds; there are now also some initial approaches in virtual reality or augmented reality games, in which body movements via stationary sensor technology serve as input for the digital playground. “Experts from the gaming industry see the potential and are looking for partners to make gamified sports worlds truly accessible to everyone,” explains Marcus Meyer.

Physical eSports create a digital connection with customers
Three examples at FitnessConnected will demonstrate how this can be applied in practical terms. SENSE DOJO combines the latest tracking hardware with a virtual personal coach. The latter puts together an individual and customized coaching program based on AI. HADO, on the other hand, is the electronic version of dodgeball, which most people still remember from PE at school: The opposing team is not thrown real plastic balls, but “electronic balls” generated by an iPod on the wrist and projected via a headset. The goal of the virtual reality game Beat Saber is for participants to slash visualized music beats coming at them with swords. So, there are already plenty of ideas for how gaming and movement can be combined. Which technology will be successful in the future depends a lot on how players in the fitness and gaming worlds can network with each other and form communities. “With the help of digital input, the fitness industry has an opportunity to stay connected with customers by creating unique new experiences and touch points in the real world. Now it’s a matter of trying things out and engaging in a genuine dialogue with the 50+ percent of society that gets excited about games,” said Marcus Meyer.

You can also find more information at forceofdisruption.com/fitnessconnected
For more detailed information, please visit www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected
Marcus Meyer, Force of Disruption GmbH
HADO: HADO, a type of electronic dodgeball, will be featured at FitnessConnected. (Credits: epikk_sport)
SENSE DOJO: To be experienced at FintessConnected: SENSE DOJO combines the latest tracking hardware with a virtual personal coach. (Credits: sensedojo.com)

Oberhausen, 09.11.2021

“We’re showing that fitness is stronger than COVID-19!”

The COVID-19 pandemic challenges everyone anew: What was considered set conditions yesterday may have already changed today. That’s why the organizers of FitnessConnected, the new B2B live trade show for fitness, health and sports, have spent a lot of time over the past few months looking at a wide range of scenarios and developing appropriate concepts. “This is what enables us to reliably hold FitnessConnected at Messe München now. Regardless of whether the 3G+ or 2G rule will apply in Bavaria from 18 to 20 November 2021,” explains Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected.

As of today, 9 November 2021, the “hospital traffic light“ in Bavaria is on red, which would currently mean the 2G rule is in place at FitnessConnected. In other words: access to the trade show will only be granted to people with proof of vaccination or recovery. “However, it is also quite conceivable that the number of COVID patients in intensive care will fall back below the incidence figure of 600 in the coming days. That would mean that the “traffic light” would change to yellow and 3G+ would be permissible again,” says Ralph Scholz.

3G+, in turn, would mean for FitnessConnected: access to the trade show would only be granted to people with proof of vaccination/recovery or with a PCR test that is no more than 48 hours old. In any case, for both scenarios, FFP2 masks must be worn throughout the exhibition grounds.

Fitness industry’s rallying call is important
Regardless of which scenario will occur from 18 to 20 November 2021, Ralph Scholz sees the pandemic-compliant live trade show as an important signal: “The fitness industry will not be brought to its knees by COVID-19, but on the contrary: the 100+ pioneering exhibitors at the live trade show prove that fitness is stronger than COVID!” Especially in these challenging times, he said, the innovative platform is important in shaping the future of the health-oriented and connected international fitness industry.

“Safety first” throughout the exhibition center
The organizers of FitnessConnected will continuously keep an eye on the incidence situation and inform visitors as well as exhibitors immediately in case of news and adapt appropriate measures. Due to the anticipatory pandemic concept, the highest hygiene standards are ensured at the B2B trade show in Munich. This is helped, for example, by the extensive hall and aisle planning, the external catering and meeting areas, and touch-free hand disinfection dispensers throughout the exhibition center. “Our motto is: safety first! With this in mind, we are looking forward to a great premiere, albeit under special conditions,” says Ralph Scholz.

You can find more detailed information at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 05.11.2021

Innovation at FitnessConnected: How fitness studios can benefit from e-mobility

What do e-charging stations for electric cars have to do with a health-oriented fitness trade show? “On closer inspection, quite a lot. Looking to the future, fitness studio operators are a relevant sales channel for e-charging infrastructure. I am therefore very pleased about the partnership with Wirelane GmbH,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected. Wirelane establishes charging infrastructure for e-cars by providing charging stations as well as corresponding operating software and offers accompanying full service. The new cooperation shows: The makers of the new trade show are thinking outside the box in a forward-looking way and are also convincing companies that have not yet been associated with the fitness world. “There is still a great deal of value creation and market potential beyond the core business of the fitness industry – and e-mobility is definitely one of them,” adds Ralph Scholz. At the live trade show in Munich from 18 to 20 November 2021, Wirelane GmbH will demonstrate these potentials on a 120-square-meter outdoor area and address them in an expert lecture.

Charge your body and your car
True to this motto, the connection between e-fueling and gym attendance is a win-win situation: while the e-car owner is doing something for his own health and refueling energy at the gym, his vehicle is being charged. “For gym operators and their customers, the issue of sustainability is becoming increasingly important. By providing e-charging infrastructure, studios can make a good contribution and help drive the mobility revolution,” says Sebastian Bott, VP Sales, Marketing & Communications at Wirelane. They can also be used to implement interesting membership schemes: For example, customers of certain plans could receive a charging flat in addition to the beverage flat.

No investment costs: Take advantage of public funding until 31st of December 2021!
The installation of e-charging columns is particularly attractive at this point: until 31st of December 2021, the German Federal Ministry of Transport will subsidize such companies that equip their commercial property with charging infrastructure by up to 80 percent. “We subsidize the remaining 20 percent for our customers, so they have de facto no investment costs. In return, we participate in the recurring revenues that operators make with the charging stations,” explains Sebastian Bott. Since the German government wants to realize one million charging points in Germany by 2030, it is currently investing very heavily in expanding the infrastructure. “I think this is a very interesting and pioneering business model for gym operators. FitnessConnected is the ideal place and time to find out about it and take action,” says Ralph Scholz.

More detailed information can be found at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected
Sebastian Bott, VP Sales, Marketing & Communications at Wirelane; Photo Credits: Anja Behrens Photography

Oberhausen, 29.10.2021
In many industries, electronic components such as sensors, electrodes, LEDs or antennas are already integrated into textiles as standard to make machines and devices smarter and more user-friendly. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement here, especially in the fitness industry. “I am therefore very pleased that, together with our partners ZSK Stickmaschinen and gym80, we will be able to present an innovative prototype at our live trade show in Munich that shows there is great potential for e-textiles in the health and fitness sector as well,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected.

The prototype is a back stretching machine for the lower back muscles in which three sensors – not perceptible to the user – are integrated into the padding. An occupancy sensor detects whether a person is sitting on the machine and activates the other two sensors if this is the case: A pressure sensor in the back area checks whether this person’s lower back and buttocks are close enough to the padding, and another pressure sensor then keeps an eye on the correct execution of the movement. If the person is not sitting in the correct starting position or overstretches during the movement, he or she receives feedback from the smart machine via vibration and knows: I am doing something wrong.

Smart machine could relieve staff and increase training safety
“We see many advantages in this development, both for the person training and for the gym operator. Especially laypeople who are still unsure about using equipment can easily get help on how to perform an exercise correctly. Of course, the technique does not replace the guidance of a professional trainer and that is not its purpose. However, it does provide support if, for example, no trainer is available at the moment or if a person exercising is reluctant to ask. For gym operators, it means above all a reduction in the workload of the staff and additional control over the safety and health of the exercisers,” says Tobias Lochthowe, the product manager responsible at gym80.

Many fitness operators are not yet aware of the potential of e-textiles
The electronic components are integrated into the padding using an embroidery process. “The great advantage of embroidery over other processes is that the electronic components can be automatically connected by the machine with conductive threads and thus integrated into a textile. Subsequent processes such as soldering are therefore no longer necessary,” explains Melanie Hörr, Manager of Technical Embroidery Applications, Smart & E-Textiles at ZSK Stickmaschinen. The expert, who is already successfully using the process for ZSK in other fields of application, adds: “We assume that the fitness market also has a lot of potential for this. So far, many equipment manufacturers know too little about the possibilities of e-textiles. I’m all the more pleased that we can work together with gym80 at FitnessConnected to change this.”

Many more areas of application feasible for e-textiles
gym80 is eagerly awaiting feedback from visitors who will be able to experience the innovative device at Messe München from 18 to 20 November 2021. “We can imagine using and testing E-Textiles in other devices in the future,” says Tobias Lochthowe. Looking to the future, Melanie Hörr adds, “In addition to e-textiles that are far from the body, such as those used in the gym80 prototype, there are also e-textiles that are close to the body, in which textile electrodes and sensors are integrated directly into clothing and measure vital signs such as ECG. I could imagine, especially for the fitness industry, that in the future remote and near-body sensors will be able to communicate with each other, making training even smarter and more effective. The journey is by no means over, there are still many possibilities.”

For more detailed information, visit www.fitness-connected.com
For more information about ZSK embroidery machines, visit www.zsk.de
For more information about gym80, visit www.gym80.de

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 07.10.2021

FitnessConnected cooperates with leading therapy trade show

Shaping the future together for a health-oriented fitness industry: therapie LEIPZIG, leading trade show for therapy, medical rehabilitation and prevention, forged an alliance with the new B2B trade show for fitness, health and sports. The new partnership is featured on various platforms: at dedicated special areas at FitnessConnected 2021 as well as therapie LEIPZIG 2022 and in the form of the new trade show therapie MUNICH, which is to be held for the first time next year in parallel with FitnessConnected from 25 to 27 November, 2022. “This is an important and trend-setting step towards a future in which physiotherapy professionals and gym operators will work together even more closely. That this commitment comes from such an established trade show is a real vote of confidence – and an accolade for FitnessConnected. And trade visitors can look forward to one more highlight,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected.

therapie MÜNCHEN is a new addition to the therapie family with a sports focus. Following therapie LEIPZIG, therapie HAMBURG and therapie DÜSSELDORF, Leipziger Messe is thus launching another industry platform for therapy and medical rehabilitation in the south. Based on the successful concept of therapie LEIPZIG, the focus will be on certified further training for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and sports therapists, as well as an interactive trade show concept. Birgit Mücklich, project director of the four therapie events at the Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Munich locations, expects sporting synergy effects: “Just how important an active lifestyle, sport and exercise are for health has become apparent in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, where this was partly neglected. That’s why the cooperation with FitnessConnected is very exciting for therapists, because they can take away ideas for their everyday work in the form of additional training programs from the fitness trade show. On the other hand, the fitness industry is increasingly geared towards the health market and will find new insights and solutions at therapie MÜNCHEN for three days.” therapie MÜNCHEN is notable for its extensive range of professional training courses and its highly practice-oriented program. The Richard Pflaum publishing house has already made a firm commitment to the cooperation. The publishing house based in Munich contributes with its series of events ptHOLIdays substantially to the technical organization of all therapie events – now also in Munich. Further support has already been promised by the federation physical therapy (VPT), regional group Bavaria.

At the launch of FitnessConnected from 18 to 20 November, 2021 in Munich, an important first step by the forward-looking cooperation will be taken: At a separate special area, there will be the therapie LEIPZIG Café: “This will be a meeting point where physiotherapeutic professionals can intensively exchange ideas with gym operators, where synergies and potentials can be discovered and new ideas of cooperation can emerge,” explains Ralph Scholz. At the next therapie LEIPZIG, which will take place next year from 24 to 26 March, FitnessConnected will again have its own special area where innovations from the fitness industry for therapists will be presented. “For both partners, this new constellation is a real win-win situation, which will reach the next level in 2022 with the trade shows taking place in parallel. Not only the trade visitors and exhibitors will benefit, the entire industry will profit from it,” Ralph Scholz is convinced. “The new cooperation between the established therapie family and the pioneer FitnessConnected is strong proof that the future belongs to the health-oriented, networked fitness industry.”

About therapy MUNICH
With therapie MÜNCHEN, Leipziger Messe, in cooperation with FitnessConnected, is establishing a strong trade show with congress for therapy and medical rehabilitation in southern Germany, which will take place every year at the Munich exhibition center. The premiere of the event for professional training will take place from November 25 to 27, 2022, and is based on the successful concept of therapie LEIPZIG – the leading national industry platform for therapy and medical rehabilitation.

About the FitnessConnected
FitnessConnected – International trade show for health, fitness and sports will be held for the first time at Messe München from 18 to 20 November 2021, organized by SportsConnected GmbH. Next year, the cooperation with therapie MÜNCHEN will celebrate its premiere.

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

Caption:
Birgit Mücklich, Project Director Leipziger Messe GmbH, Department: therapie Trade Shows
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 13.08.2021

Political green light given: FitnessConnected takes place for sure

As already communicated two weeks ago, due to the vaccination rate in Germany and Europe respectively and the resulting politically created framework conditions, the “FitnessConnected – part of the ISPO-Network” can and will take place as planned from November 18 to 20, 2021 in Munich. Yesterday’s decisions of the Ministerial Conference of the Federal States and additional public statements of e.g. the Bavarian Prime Minister, Dr. Markus Söder, also confirmed that a further, comprehensive lockdown would not be constitutionally enforceable even with an increasing incidence situation.

Long called for, now they are here: the key political statements that were necessary to be able to plan and implement the coming months in detail. This also clarifies many framework conditions for the implementation of trade show events. However, there are also areas where adjustments may still be necessary at short notice in the coming weeks. But even for these, the following applies: With appropriate forward planning, these adjustments are feasible.

“The decisions of the Ministerial Conference of the Federal States and the statements of the politicians are an extremely important and very positive signal: now is the right time to think about business again and to start catching up,” emphasizes Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected.
Crucial to the economic development of the fitness industry in particular, he said, is the clear statement that there will no longer be a lockdown for everyone in 2021. “Our decision to stick to holding the face-to-face event in November has thus proven to be correct and forward-looking. After all, with our eco system, we are the only industry trade show this year to offer the fitness industry the opportunity to generate much-needed revenue at our event for the remainder of this year and for the first quarter of next year. “

The following key measures take account of developments:

Number of trade visitors – congress capacities expanded
FitnessConnected is designed in such a way that – according to current standards, i.e. the strictest specifications – at least 3,000 visitors are likely to be on the exhibition grounds at the same time.
All in all, we expect around 7,500 trade visitors on the three days of the trade show, so there is no fundamental need to change the hall layout.

As FitnessConnected will be the only international physical trade show for the fitness and sports sector in Europe this year due to the cancellation of other events, the congress capacities were adapted. For this purpose, it was necessary to detach the rear part of Hall C6 from the exhibition area and convert it into a congress area. This will allow the holding of the fringe events with up to 500 participants even under the strictest Covid regulations.
The now valid hall plan will be viewable online from 18.08.2021.

In the entrance area: fast lane planned for vaccinated and recovered persons
Due to FitnessConnected’s modern registration system, it is possible to upload the vaccination or proof of recovery certificate online before the show and assign it to the ticket. This makes it possible to set up a fast lane for vaccinated and recovered persons. Since Covid tests cannot be older than 24 hours, an additional on-site check is required for data matching. To avoid waiting times at the entrance, we recommend using the service tool in the ticket store.

Rapid tests still free of charge – on-site PCR tests not possible
At present, it is not yet possible to assess whether the practice applied to date will still apply in November, i.e. that rapid tests are sufficient to allow unrestricted movement in restaurants, gyms or even on exhibition grounds – or whether the PCR tests, which involve more effort and time, will be necessary in order to be considered tested.
If rapid tests are sufficient, we will continue to offer them free of charge. Unfortunately, it is not possible to offer PCR tests free of charge on site due to logistics and time criteria. Regardless, we recommend that all visitors who are not vaccinated or recovered come to the site with a current test to avoid waiting times in the entrance area.

Mandatory masks and distance regulations
In recent weeks, trade shows have already been held in individual German states at which the wearing of masks and compliance with minimum distances could be dispensed with due to the incidence situation. Which regulations will be legally or officially binding in November in Munich has not yet been determined.
Part of the forward-looking pandemic concept is minimum aisle widths of 3 meters, so that the minimum distance can be maintained in the aisles in any case. And we continue to recommend wearing a medical mask and maintaining minimum distances, even if this would not be required by law.

No distinction on site between vaccinated and tested
For fundamental considerations and data protection reasons, there will be no different rules of conduct for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors/exhibitors at FitnessConnected on the exhibition grounds themselves.

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

Photo credits:
unsplash

Oberhausen, 29.07.2021

Thanks to forward-thinking pandemic concept: “We can reliably run FitnessConnected in November”

The current resurgence in incidence figures and the spread of the delta variant are causing uncertainty for trade shows in fall of 2021. Some trade shows were therefore opting for purely digital formats from the outset. Others, such as the leading international trade show for fitness, wellness and health FIBO, have recently postponed their events. And still others are continuing to consistently plan their physical trade shows- like the team of FitnessConnected, the new interdisciplinary B2B trade show for a health-oriented fitness industry. “We can reliably hold FitnessConnected in November. That’s because from the very beginning we didn’t assume a normal situation in the fall of 2021 when developing the event and planned for all eventualities at an early stage,” says CEO Ralph Scholz.

The forward-looking pandemic concept of FitnessConnected is reflected in many areas. For example, in a generous hall layout (only about 50 percent of the hall is booth space), plenty of aisles in between, central catering away from the booths, and separate meeting areas. ” Right from the outset, as health-oriented and responsible organizers, we refrained from planning shows at the booths or parties in order to make FitnessConnected a No-Covid- Area,” explains Ralph Scholz. Free rapid tests at the entrance area of the trade show and situation-specific fair cancellation options for exhibitors round off the pandemic concept.

The company is also prepared for the situation that more trade visitors than expected are now likely to come to FitnessConnected in Munich from November 18 to 20, 2021, due to other canceled events: “Based on our flexible hall planning, we can also adapt structures for more visitors if necessary and at the same time ensure that the event is held safely. There are no plans to increase the size of the exhibition space in order to be able to increase the number of exhibitors,” says Scholz.

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

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected

Oberhausen, 02.07.2021

“We don’t want to trigger an Ischgl of the fitness industry”.

Together, the market has been breathing a sigh of relief in recent weeks. Fitness and health providers nationwide have resumed training operations for customers, and new customer business is showing an encouraging response. The noticeable increase in health awareness among the population can be felt. An upward trend, which the industry as a whole decisively supports, steers and helps to shape. A feeling of some normality is thus returning, yet everyone is well aware that there is no such thing as “going back”. The situation is still fragile – both nationally and internationally – and the risk of infection and the resulting measures for the fall/winter season are difficult to calculate.

For this reason, Ralph Scholz, CEO of the new B2B trade show FitnessConnected (www.fitness-connected.com) and Oliver Sekula, CEO of the management consultancy ACISO (www.aciso.com) have decided in unison and with the necessary foresight to postpone the ACISO Congress within the framework of the physical trade show in November in Munich until next year. Instead of an ACISO opening party and workout convention, they are responsibly concentrating on a jointly developed keynote event for 2021 that will focus on the major opportunities of a digitalized industry at FitnessConnected. With their decision, both are sending an important signal to the entire fitness industry.
Oliver Sekula emphasizes: “After considering all aspects, holding the Congress in 2021 is not an option, no matter how difficult the decision is for us. A large event with many participants in closed rooms, sweating together at a Group Fitness Convention or dancing exuberantly at the Congress Party is currently far removed from reality for us as a responsible organizer. The FitnessConnected trade show, on the other hand, is a completely different proposition due to the size of the halls and the associated space requirements. That is why we will be there with numerous other ACISO cooperation partners with our booth in ACISO WORLD, which is integrated into the overall concept. Together with ISPO and FitnessConnected, we will be organizing the opening event on Thursday, 18.11.21 with the motto “Roadmap to future”. The tenor is: the new reality and the greatest opportunities for our industry in a growth market! We are very much looking forward to this.”

Ralph Scholz as main organizer and furthermore speaker of the initiative “health needs fitness”
(www.gesundheit-braucht-fitness.de) adds with view of the industry: “We do not want to trigger an Ischgl of the fitness economy. FitnessConnected is characterized by the fact that we are a pure B2B platform that offers particularly high professional quality, innovative products, services and concepts as well as interdisciplinary know-how. We focus on business, that’s what makes us special – and that’s also what our exhibitors and partners appreciate. That is why I am firmly convinced that we will deliver an excellent and comprehensive package this time in November, even without the party and convention. In addition, we have worked out a new creative and exciting alternative together with ACISO. It will be a new opening event that is absolutely compliant with pandemic requirements. It is a sequence of exciting keynotes around the topic of digitalization in the fitness industry. Why the fitness industry does need to fear digitalization? What massive business opportunities will it open up? What specific data is becoming increasingly important? These are just some of the questions that will be answered by top-class speakers in the first half of the event.

Collectively, Oliver Sekula and Ralph Scholz and their teams are convinced that FitnessConnected with its highlights at the end of the year will be a safe bet in more ways than one. So that many entrepreneurs and their employees will enjoy making the trip to Munich then. They are thanking the industry for their trust in advance and are looking forward to great trade show days in the international network. The industry media will report on the details of the program on an ongoing basis.

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

Caption:
Ralph Scholz, CEO FitnessConnected
Oliver Sekula, CEO ACISO

Oberhausen, 03.05.2021

FitnessConnected presents innovative products of the exhibitors on the web platform: More are added daily

From 18 to 20 November, 2021, the new B2B trade show “FitnessConnected – part of the ISPO Network” will take place at the trade show center in Munich. However, the accompanying web platform has already been online since 3rd of May as part of the sales and marketing-oriented ecosystem of FitnessConnected at www.fitness-connected.com/innovationen. It is an essential component of the innovative concept of the new trade show, which for the first time unites the areas of fitness, health and sports across industries and offers a unique network meeting for decision makers.

Instead of a classic trade show site, the web platform offers an interactive sales tool to bring product innovations to market as quickly as possible – all year round, seven days a week, around the clock. New product introductions are thus permanently available and can be accessed worldwide, including company presentations and the contact details of the responsible sales staff. In addition, the web platform will offer regular sales training. “The web platform offers real added value for both FitnessConnected exhibitors and gym operators,” says Ralph Scholz, CEO of FitnessConnected and FIBO Event Director from 2013 to 2017, describing the advantage of the online sales tool. “Visitors to the platform thus have the opportunity to find out about the latest products from our exhibitors on a daily basis and, if necessary, to enter into trading relationships immediately. “

An added value that is obviously also appreciated by the exhibitors. Because already now numerous top companies, such as Milon, movement concepts, and further innovation drivers decided to present their innovations and achievements at the FitnessConnected this year, many of them exclusively.

“The registration figures continue to grow steadily. At present, around 50 companies have already made a binding booking for their participation and a further 60 companies have made reservations,” says Ralph Scholz, delighted at the high demand. “The fact that so many top brands have already chosen FitnessConnected as this year’s industry event as pioneers shows that the new trade show in Munich will be the place to be in the future.”

Read more at www.fitness-connected.com

Caption:
The new website is online

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, 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, 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.”