The 2024 IHRSA Convention & Trade Show wrapped with buzz about the organization's new name launch and targeted mission to be the global community for health and fitness leaders focused on advocacy, education, and research. The association’s new name is the Health & Fitness Association.
Health & Fitness Association President & CEO Liz Clark revealed the new name prior to the keynote on the first day of the event, which occurred March 6-8 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA.
IHRSA 2024 welcomed more than 300 exhibitors, 150 speakers, and 8,700 fitness professionals, which preliminary numbers show is a double-digit increase in overall attendance from last year.
“The feedback we have received from around the world has been overwhelmingly positive, as we are THE Health & Fitness Association,” Liz said. “People from nearly 80 countries attended the event, and many of them were in the packed first-day keynote address to hear this announcement in person.”
The association arrived at the new name after consultation with members, supplier partners, consultants inside and outside the industry, as well as some of the original founders of the association.
“We were very deliberate in choosing our new name,” Liz said. “The name demonstrates the breadth of our reach and our industry’s impact—yes, we are fitness, but we are also health. We play a role in improving mental health and preventing chronic disease—we are part of the solution. Our new name not only provides clarity about who we are, but it also will help us gain greater respect from policymakers whose decisions impact our members on a daily basis.”
Rollout of the rebrand will continue for several months with updates to the website, social media platforms, email addresses, signage, and contracts ongoing.