European Fitness Summit: New Top Event for the Industry 
September 12, 2008

Barcelona/Düsseldorf. The fitness industry has a new top-level contact and information platform. The first European Fitness Summit (EFS) from 15 to 17 October 2008 in Barcelona offers selected suppliers the opportunity to establish contact with 60 high-ranking decision-makers from eight countries.

During the three-day event in Barcelona, these selected managers and representatives of fitness studios and wellness establishments will not only meet with an exclusive group of suppliers to the industry but also hear from leading experts about the future development of the market and have the opportunity of an exchange among colleagues in a stylish atmosphere.

In contrast to other events of this kind, the organisers of the EFS, FIBO and the specialised magazine bodyLIFE, want to achieve an exclusive mix of people – both on the supplier and on the buyer side. “On the exhibitor side, 20 premium suppliers to the industry will present their products and novelties,“ is how FIBO Director Olaf Tomscheit explains the selection criteria. By limiting the event to an exclusive circle also in future, the organisers intend to provide EFS participants with the opportunity for selective appointments and to guarantee meetings of high quality.

The EFS rests on three pillars: first of all, the summit provides a business platform, allowing for exclusive contacts between suppliers and clients. A second pillar is the transfer of knowledge through lectures on the future of the fitness market. Furthermore, with evening events in unusual locations the EFS provides ample opportunity for strengthening contacts in a relaxed atmosphere and for interesting discussions, thus offering all participants a lively exchange within the industry.

This concept found favour with the industry within a very short time, after only four weeks the EFS was almost fully booked. At this stage, other interested clients already had to be put off until next year. The 60 buyers already registered are owners of some 1,000 fitness studios and wellness establishments altogether, coming from Germany as well as from the Benelux countries, Spain, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Russia and Britain. Among the 20 top-quality suppliers present at the summit who will offer a wide range of products and services for the fitness and wellness industry, are well-known names such as Ergofit, gym80, Les Mills, Life Fitness, Precor as well as Power Plate. All segments from training equipment, saunas to solariums right through to equipment and financing will be represented.

One of the highlights of the varied supporting programme will be the lecture programme. Dr. Karsten Neumann, internationally recognised expert and author of the study on the Second Health Market, will provide a perspective on the opportunities and risks emerging in the fitness industry due to the change in the market. Andreas Steinle, Managing Director of the Zukunftsinstitut (Futurology Institute) in Kelkheim / Frankfurt and member of the management team of futurologist Matthias Horx, is an expert on consumer trends, new marketing as well as lifestyle and the media. In his lecture, he will give a survey of the changes in a range of areas of life and society and relate them to the fitness industry.

The first European Fitness Summit (EFS) will take place from 15 to 17 October 2008 in Barcelona with 20 premium suppliers and 60 purchasers.

For more information please go to www.european-fitness-summit.com or contact the FIBO Press Department.

Dr. Mike Seidensticker, Tel. (0211) 90 191-128 – Mike.Seidensticker@reedexpo.de
Eva-Maria Geef, Tel. (0211) 90 191-191 – EvaMaria.Geef@reedexpo.de

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