FIBO USA – final report   19 Dezember 2018

FIBO USA sets the course for the future – Industry supports launch of trade fair 

„Keep going, guys“ – Exhibitors and visitors agreed at the end of the premiere: FIBO USA was the start of a new show in North America that has what it takes to assert itself permanently. And so numerous familiar faces of the international fitness industry could be seen in the halls. Around 2,350 trade fair and conference participants registered for the first FIBO USA, which took place from 5 to 8 December in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. They met 100 exhibitors from the American and international fitness industries, representing a cross-section of the fitness, health and lifestyle markets from fitness equipment, EMS, group fitness, apparel and wellness.

“We are delighted about the trust placed in FIBO as a global partner of the industry in a wide variety of markets,” says Hans-Joachim Erbel, CEO of FIBO organiser Reed Exhibitions Deutschland. “Together with the industry, we want to further develop FIBO in the USA; the interest and trust of the exhibitors to go this way together with us is encouraging us in this decision”.

Dr. Homayun Gharavi, CEO of 4D CoreSpeed GmbH, is an example of this: “Our appearance at the first FIBO USA in Orlando allowed us to experience one thing above all else: German Products had the strongest influx and were almost celebrated as status symbols. The many positive leads and strong sales proved that we lived up to expectations. In 2019 in Miami, we are definitely back in pole position.” An assessment that Jürgen Decker, Managing Director of miha bodytec, shares. “We notice that the topic EMS is accepted positively and with much interest”. The big players in the EMS market such as miha bodytec, xBody, StimaWELL EMS and visionbody presented EMS as a training and therapy form to the North American fitness market for the first time at the trade fair.

“Our team was thrilled to bring FIBO USA to life in Orlando,” said Dave Houghton, Event Director. „We are already working alongside the global industry to build the 2019 edition, which will take place in Miami–the fitness epicenter of the East Coast. “

American Health & Fitness Forum

Around 70 participants attended the first American Health & Fitness Forum (AHFF) at FIBO USA. These included well-known US studio chains such as Planet Fitness, Orange Theory, Midtown Athletic Clubs, Golds Gym, 24 hour fitness, Gympass, SoulBody as well as independent studio owners and representatives of associations such as IHRSA, ACE, NSCA, Women’s Fitness Association, AFS, FTC or IDEA.

Twelve international top speakers from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany and of course the USA delivered impressive presentations on global market developments, the US fitness market and the studio landscape, the influence of digital technologies, franchising, corporate culture and the customer experience. The highlight of the program was the keynote speech by Brent Centlivre from Disney Institute, who gave an insight into the corporate and service culture of the Walt Disney Company and called for continuous “Improvement and Feedback”. The AHFF was moderated by Herman Rutgers, FIBO International Ambassador.

Education and Activations

The fair did not only take place in the hall but also off the trade floor – 165 conferences, seminars and workouts accompanied the exhibition offer. For example, the “Women in Fitness Association” offered inspiring lectures for women in the fitness industry, for example by Emma Barry, Viveca Jensen and Beth Shaw. In addition, there were lectures on the subject of company health management, marketing via social media or body awareness. FIBO FitPass made it possible for early risers to undergo numerous training sessions from 7 a.m. onwards. Trainers and instructors were spoilt for choice at FIBO USA: from Zumba to Spartan, Strongboard balance to Keiser cycling, and SoulBody Barre to Piloxing there were classes – hourly or day-intensive training sessions. At the same time, continuing education credits could be acquired during the visit to the trade fair. Many exhibitors also demonstrated new workouts, for example AcroYoga, BoomBoxing, F45 Training, Piloxing, Pound, Spartan, The Warrior® Workout and Zumba. A highlight in the exhibition hall were the ultimate Freestyle Calisthenics Championships, after which three Guinness Book of World Records titles were broken for the most pull ups, chin ups and push ups in one minute.

FIBO USA will take place in Miami from 17 to 19 October 2019. www.fibo-usa.com

2018 Exhibitors https://www.fibo-usa.com/Show-Info/2018-Exhibitor-List/#