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2016 IHRSA

EUROPEAN CONGRESS Kristen Walsh looks ahead to this year’s event which takes place in Seville, Spain, in October

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he IHRSA European Congress has been designed to provide thoughtprovoking commentary on trends shaping business and the fitness industry across Europe and beyond; while taking place in Europe, the learnings for club operators have relevance far beyond this continent. Presentations from experts from inside and outside the health club

industry are complemented by networking events, focus group discussions, and lunch and evening receptions – all of which offers great opportunities to build relationships with colleagues from other markets. Last year’s event, held in Marseille, France, attracted more than 550 participants from a record 42 countries and six continents, and the 16th Annual IHRSA European

Congress – taking place on 17–20 October at the Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento in Seville, Spain – is expected to attract similar numbers. You might be an owner, general manager, department manager or investor in the industry. You might work for a single health club company, multi-site operator or franchise. The event is ideal for anyone in a decisionmaking role in the health club business.

INNOVATION THE LEGO WAY

promise growth and profits, but the actual results are less positive. Using the case study of Lego, Robertson’s session will explore how to manage innovation across a company.

In 2003, Lego almost went bankrupt. Lego’s managers had followed the advice of experts – “head for blue ocean”, “practice disruptive innovation”, “open innovation”, “develop the full

Two keynote speakers will address Congress attendees this year. The first is David Robertson PhD, a professor at Wharton School who specialises in global innovation and IT, and who also authored the book Brick by Brick: How Lego reinvented its innovation system and conquered the toy industry. His session – entitled 'Innovation management: The Lego Story' – will explain how managers are bombarded with dozens of theories on how to manage innovation. These theories all

Speaker David Robertson

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ABOUT THE VENUE

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he Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento is an iconic hotel located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and is a perfect point from which to experience Seville. Ample transportation options are available from just outside the hotel, while a The hotel is close to Seville's centre pleasant 20-minute walk over La Barqueta Bridge will bring you to Alameda de Hércules, a bustling square full of bars and café terraces. From there, it’s a short stroll to historical sites such as the cathedral, the Giralda tower, the Alcázar Palace and the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. There’s plenty to do around the hotel too. Catch a live music show or sporting event at the Rocio Jurado Arena or the Olympic Stadium – both are within walking distance of the Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento – or rent bikes and ride along the river’s bicycle path. Seville, the birthplace of flamenco, is home to half a dozen tablaos (flamenco performance centres) and countless peñas (small clubs), so visitors don’t have to venture far to experience the region’s defining art form. Learn more about Seville’s many attractions at www.visitasevilla.en

healthclubmanagement.co.uk September 2016 ©Cybertrek 2016