EuropeActive is a not-for-profit umbrella organisation representing the whole of the European health and fitness sector (around 65 million consumers and 64,000 facilities) which aims to get more people, more active, more often.

I was invited to join the Board of Directors in April in my capacity as Event Director of FIBO, the leading international trade show brand for fitness, wellness and health.  Germany has the highest fitness club membership in Europe and FIBO Global, our flagship event, takes place each year in Cologne.

This is the first time that FIBO has been represented on the board. It is important for our industry to have a lobby group that is active across Europe and closely cooperating with the national associations.

Being on the board is giving me valuable insights into the latest global industry developments and individual country initiatives, while extending my industry networks – particularly with the European trainer network (EREPS) which represents many of our attendees. One immediate benefit was the speed at which we were able to draw on member co-operation for the launch of our webinar programme, part of our recently announced FIBO Digital Experience.

Health and fitness are a global mega trend and a strong, reliable and diverse European trade body has the power to direct the vision and growth of our European industry, which in turn will inform the strategy of FIBO.