Back in June, the team at Alliance Leisure attended Elevate 2023, the UK’s largest trade show dedicated to fitness, sport and physical activity. During the event, their team participated in several workshops and seminars about issues facing the industry today, future trends, new technology and more.
One significant issue highlighted was the need for adaptation due to an ageing audience, as one in two people is projected to be over 50 by 2030. Active ageing and long-term health were explored at the event to cater to this changing demographic.
Language played a crucial role in the discussions, shifting towards language focused on health, wellness, and inclusivity rather than solely fitness. This change in language aims to make leisure facilities feel more accessible to a broader audience, including those who may have felt marginalized or out of place in traditional fitness environments. This alteration is aligned with the emerging wellness trend, which could attract 85% of the population who are not currently members of leisure facilities.
Collaboration within the leisure industry was emphasized as essential for increasing physical activity rates. Sharing data and insights among operators can help better understand the public's needs and enable the industry to work together towards common goals.
The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the leisure sector and the National Health Service (NHS). By working together, the NHS can provide valuable data to the leisure industry, and the sector can encourage more people to adopt active lifestyles, potentially reducing the strain on healthcare resources.
Innovation and sustainability were also prominent themes at Elevate 2023. The development and delivery of leisure facilities must adopt innovative approaches to create a sustainable model for the public sector. Initiatives like the PSDS were discussed to change the industry's environmental impact positively.
Read the full article to uncover all the key takeaways and industry insights gathered during the workshops and seminars at Elevate 2023, illuminating the path to a healthier and more dynamic future for the fitness, sport, and physical activity industries.