The International Convention and Trade Show of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has announced four award recpients it will recognize at its 39th annual event, March 18-21 at the San Diego Convention Center.
IHRSA's 2020 award recipients are:
- Paula Neubert, president of Club Greenwood, Greenwood Village, Colorado (Woman Leader Award in Honor of Julie Main);
- SportsArt, Mukilteo, Washington (Associate Member of the Year Award);
- Richard Bilton, president of Companhia Athletica, Belo Horizonte, Brazil (President's Award);
- Fitness Formula Clubs Oak Park, Oak Park, Illinois (Outstanding Community Service Award).
IHRSA's Woman Leader Award is named after Julie Main, the former co-owner of West Coast Athletic Clubs, Santa Barbara, California, who died of cancer in 2009. The award recognizes a woman in the industry who exemplifies Main's courage, perseverance, excellence and professionalism, according to IHRSA.
Neubert is regularly featured in Club Industry's Follow the Fitness Leaders leadership Q-and-A series and was a recent guest on The Club Industry Podcast.
“I am truly honored to be recognized with the 2020 IHRSA Woman Leader Award. The award has been given to so many amazing women over the years, and knowing it is inspired by the strong and courageous leadership of Julie Main, is not only a compliment, but something I will cherish forever,” Neubert said in a media release.
IHRSA's Associate Member of the Year recognizes an IHRSA member for its contributions to the industry as well as its support of IHRSA's mission. SportsArt was chosen for the company's technological innovation and their support of the industry, according to IHRSA.
The President's Award recognizes an individual or group who has positively contributed to their communities and the industry at large. Bilton, who lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been involved with IHRSA since 1989 and served on its board of directors for eight years. Bilton helped IHRSA launch the IHRSA Fitness Brasil Latin American Conference and Trade Show in São Paulo in 2000, the region’s largest fitness industry event.
IHRSA's Outstanding Community Service award recognizes Fitness Formula Club's Oak Park location for its commitment to making a difference in its community, according to IHRSA, which also noted that all of the 11 Chicago-area Fitness Formula Clubs and the company's CEO Gale Landers have displayed a community-focused approach.
All of the awards will be handed out prior to one of the keynotes. SportsArt will receive its award on March 18, followed by Neubert on March 19. Both Richard Bilton and Fitness Formula Clubs Oak Park will receive their awards on March 20.