IHRSA, the trade association for commercial health clubs, will open its first conference and trade show since COVID-19 forced the cancellation of its event in March 2020.
The annual event, which normally is held in March, will occur Oct. 13-15 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas after IHRSA moved it from its original location in San Diego. The date of the event also was rescheduled from September to October. The event will introduce Liz Clark, the new CEO of IHRSA, to the industry.
In addition to more than 80 in-person sessions, IHRSA is offering a virtual option for people affected by travel restrictions due to COVID-19. A large percentage of IHRSA’s attendance is generally from outside the United States. Virtual sessions will include the keynotes, SPARK! Sessions and one educational session in each major time slot. Some sessions will be translated into five languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.
IHRSA announced a variety of safety measures, such as requiring COVID-19 vaccinations or a negative COVID-19 test (taken within 72 hours of arrival) for all attendees except those who request to opt out for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. IHRSA is offering free on-site COVID-19 testing and is recommending that attendees wear masks.
The event will have three keynote addresses. The keynoter on Oct. 13 will be Diana Kander, author, entrepreneur and innovation consultant, who will speak on “Competing on Value Instead of Price.” Dr. Kenneth Cooper, founder and chairman of Cooper Aerobics will offer the keynote, “Preventive Medicine: It’s More Beneficial & Cost Effective to Prevent Disease Than It Is to Find a Cure,” on Oct. 14. The keynoter on Oct. 15 will be Scott Stratten, author and president of UnMarketing, who will speak on “The Age of Disruption: Everything Has Changed and Nothing Is Different.”
IHRSA anticipates more than 200 exhibitors on the trade show floor, which will be open Oct. 14-15.