New Horizon - International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association and Fitness Brasil host fitness conference

American Fitness, May, 2001

Anticipating enormous growth to fitness clubs and their suppliers in Latin America, The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) teamed up with Fitness Brasil for a major first-of-its-kind conference and trade show held in Brazil. Both organizations thought it was time for the approximate 3,500 health and fitness clubs, as well as the additional 15,000 public social and/or recreational clubs, to reach the next level of business sophistication.

IHRSA decided to hold the event in Brazil because of the size and long-term potential of the country's market. The choice to partner with Fitness Brasil was based on its strength and reputation in fitness-industry event planning.

"The Brazilian fitness market is poised for very strong growth in the next few years," says John W. Kersh, director of international development for IHRSA. "Indications are that there will soon be an increase in private investment in the club industry, both from sources inside and outside Brazil. Our goal at IHRSA is for this event to become the premier meeting point in Latin America for club owners, investors and suppliers."

The next conference is scheduled for September 11-13, 2001, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.