EuropeActive, in collaboration with FIBO, successfully hosted the FIBO Future Talks 2025 event on 10 April during FIBO Week, focusing on the vital role of technology and digital transformation within the fitness industry. The event provided an insightful platform for leading industry experts, innovators, and business leaders to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.
The conference began with an opening keynote from Peter Croft (VP Alliances & Partnerships, Sport Alliance) and Emilia Happel (Partnerships Manager, EuropeActive), setting the scene by introducing why FIBO Future Talks is essential, addressing current industry dynamics and introducing core themes for discussion.
Session 1 concentrated on new digital revenue streams, highlighted by a keynote from Natalia Karbasova, Founder of FitTech Club, who explored innovative monetisation models and drew valuable insights from digital-native brands outside the fitness sector. A subsequent panel discussion with Jens Schultze, Country Manager at Les Mills; Ernst De Neef, CEO of Funxtion; Tarek Mounir, CEO of Enhance; and Nad Myan, VP of Innovation & Corporate Growth at GoodLife Group, further examined practical digital revenue strategies and industry adaptations.
Session 2 was dedicated to automation, featuring a keynote presentation by Alex Peacock, Founder, and Tiffeny Gould, Senior Business Consultant at LeisureLabs. They delivered a strategic blueprint demonstrating how fitness businesses can effectively integrate automation to streamline operations, improve member experiences, and boost scalability. The following panel discussion involved industry experts Karl Foster, CTO of Gymnation; Daniel Kraus, Senior Product Manager at Egym; Daniel Jones, CEO of Orbit4; and Steffie Bryant from Keepme.AI, providing real-world examples of automation driving operational excellence.
Session 3 addressed wearable technology and personal data utilisation, initiated by keynote speakers Daniel Sollner, Senior Business Development Manager at Garmin Health, and Fabrizio Colciago, CEO of UPTIVO. They outlined how personal activity data from wearables can enhance coaching experiences through AI-driven insights. Also, a live demonstration of Uptivo AI Coach treated the audience. The session culminated in a panel discussion featuring Ville Uronen, Head of Sports Partnerships & Advocacy at Polar; Ian Howarth, CEO of Cyclops Workouts; Fabrizio Cecchinelli, Senior Product Manager at Technogym; and Leon Rudge, Chief Digital Officer at Myzone. The panellists explored the implications and potential of personalised data to significantly improve customer engagement and satisfaction and the possibilities through wearables.
Emilia Happel stated, “The discussions at FIBO Future Talks underscore our industry's potential to evolve significantly through technology and digital innovations. Events like these are crucial for sharing knowledge, sparking new ideas, and collectively navigating the future of fitness and wellness.”
The event concluded with a summary from Peter Croft and Emilia Happel, highlighting key insights and strategic takeaways. Attendees were encouraged to apply these learnings to foster innovation and sustainable growth within their businesses.
EuropeActive remains dedicated to advancing dialogue around digital transformation and invites industry professionals to stay involved through upcoming events and initiatives designed to address evolving technological trends and consumer demands.
