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Offering 10 halls of fitness, wellness and health on a total floor space of approximately 160,000 metre², 850 exhibitors and 136,000 visitors, FIBO is claiming that it is "the world’s largest and most important fitness industry event."

Each year in April, studio operators from around the world flock to the trade fair in Cologne to get an overview of the innovations in the industry. Visitors in 2015 hailed from more than 100 countries and every corner of the globe – a powerful reminder of the international significance of the event. Divided into the three segments FIBO EXPERT, FIBO PASSION and FIBO POWER, the trade fair covers every aspect of the fitness industry.

Since it separates exclusive trade visitor days on Thursday and Friday from the open-to-all weekend, it provides plenty of space for both business-minded professionals and fitness enthusiasts. 

FIBO highlights that it “is far more than just a trade fair”, thanks to a portfolio of industry events such as the European Health & Fitness Forum, international lecture series and a festival series for end customers launching in 2016, FIBO is a prime driver of growth in the fitness industry. 

FIBO EXPERT, FIBO PASSION and FIBO POWER will take place concurrently at the Exhibition Centre in Cologne, Germany from 7th to 10th April 2016. 

FIBO EXPERT 2016: The platform for pros  
FIBO EXPERT is the international business platform for managers, distributors, suppliers, investors and decision-makers in the fitness, wellness and health industry. 

Here exhibitors including Amer Sports/Precor, gym 80, Johnson Health Tec, Life Fitness, MoveToLive, Star Trac and Technogym will showcase products and services having booked large areas in the halls of the Exhibition Centre Cologne. 

FIBO EXPERT’s exhibition space will be expanded from four to five halls in 2016 with thhe additional area in Hall 5.2 opens up a space for a current fitness-industry hot topic: EMS training. 

One of the themes dominating the fitness industry in coming years is technological progress. Hence FIBO EXPERT and FIBO PASSION will focus, at least in part, on digitalisation in fitness studios showcasing new technologies that ensure enhanced motivation and training efficiency. 

FIBO Director Ralph Scholz explains “our biggest challenge for FIBO 2016 is definitely how to appropriately depict the digitalisation theme. 

“We have to deal with the consequences of so many fitness industry spheres becoming digitalised. Exhibitors at FIBO approach this issue from vastly differing perspectives. Our goal is to tie it all together.”

Innovations are central at FIBO. Symbolising these achievements is the FIBO Innovation Award, an event at which many major studio-related innovations have been introduced to a wider public. 

In 2016, the FIBO Innovation and Trend Award has a new focus with, in addition to the traditional jury decision, the audience getting a chance to vote for the first time. 

FIBO PASSION 2016: Large selection for private visitors and trainers 
Action, shopping and group fitness: FIBO PASSION will relaunch with a brand-new concept in 2016. The exhibition space will be expanded to three halls featuring significantly enhanced shopping and active participation areas. Major sports apparel brands and manufacturers of fitness shoes, textiles and accessories have already booked their stands. Sports fashion trends will be presented at the new, centrally located catwalk. Another novelty: the Active Hall, which will turn FIBO itself into one giant fitness studio. Plans call for manufacturers to create a variety of themed worlds here, with fitness studios supervising the area and instructing visitors actively trying out everything.

FIBO POWER 2016: The powerful force
FIBO POWER is Europe's Biggest Meeting Point for the Bodybuilding, Weight Training and Martial Arts Community. 

Participants in 2016 will once again include famous brands such as All Stars, Biotech USA, Dymatize, Gym Aesthetics, IronMaxx, KWON, Labellamafia, Olimp, Scitec Nutrition and Weider Germany. Taking place in Halls 10.1 and 10.2, FIBO POWER 2016 will be expanded yet again. Both halls will feature large performance stages with cup competitions, contests and challenges. Major audience magnets include the Strongman Champions League, the DBFV Bikini Cup, the Men’s Physique Cup, MAS Wrestling, the Arm Wars Super Series, the Dr. Bein’s POWERlifting Challenge, the FIBO POWER Strongest Benchpresser and of the course the Miss FIBO POWER Beauty Contest. 

International presence
In order to drive the further internationalisation of the Cologne trade fair, FIBO decided to go into various markets directly and launched the FIBO INNOVATION TOUR two years ago. Seven countries have hosted the tour so far. 

In 2016, the tour will visit Turkey, Russia, Poland, Italy and Sweden. In each country, EuropeActive and FIBO are organising one-day seminars in cooperation with the respective national associations. Local studio operators are invited to attend tour events to get insights into the concepts and products of several selected exhibitors along with an overview of Europe-wide market conditions and current challenges.  

Moreover, FIBO is organising a number of trade fairs outside Germany. 

With FIBO China, scheduled to take place for the third time in late 2016, FIBO is providing the international fitness industry with a platform in Asia. 

2016 will also see the launch of the Saudi International Sport & Fitness – powered by FIBO in Jeddah.  

More than just a trade fair 
FIBO leads the way as the only trade fair of its size in the European market. Europe still is the largest and most important fitness marketplace worldwide. While some 9.1 million people were members of a fitness studio in Germany last year, that number surpassed 50 million across Europe. The European fitness market with its 48,000 facilities and 400,000 employees generates revenues of €26.8 billion. At the same time, a large share of the population remains inactive, which indicates that enormous growth potential remains: 59% of Europeans rarely or never work out.  Numerous FIBO initiatives aim to address precisely this issue by raising even more public awareness for the fitness industry, encouraging debates and conveying innovations.  

One example is the European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF) organised in cooperation with the European industry association EuropeActive, which will take place on 6th April 2016, the day before FIBO. 

For three years now, the Congress has been bringing together leaders from the international fitness industry, associations, science and politics. 

The EHFF’s headline topic in 2016 will be ‘Growing the fitness sector through innovation’. 

In 2016, FIBO will reach out directly to end consumers with summertime FIBO Fitness Festivals taking place in cities across Germany, starting with Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich next year. This new industry platform will get even more people excited about fitness while expanding opportunities for growth.  

FIBO is being held from 7th to 10th April next year with 7th and 8th April reserved only for trade visitors.

Click here to view the Australasian Leisure Management Calendar entry for FIBO.

27th January 2015 - FIBO ORGANISERS ANNOUNCE GLOBAL FITNESS INNOVATION AWARD

3rd March 2013 - GERMAN TRADE SHOW AT THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN FITNESS AND HEALTH

16th May 2011 - TECHNOGYM’S MYWELLNESS KEY RECEIVES FIBO ‘HEALTH INNOVATION AWARD’

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