WASHINGTON, DC—September 4, 2025—The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) will host the inaugural Global Advocacy Summit on October 3 at the iconic Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam, marking a major step forward in uniting international leadership around the promotion of physical activity as a public health imperative.
Held during the HFA European Congress, the 90-minute summit will convene prominent figures from across the global health, sport, and fitness landscapes to align on policy, research, and strategic collaboration—aimed at driving systemic solutions to the worldwide physical inactivity crisis.
Opening remarks from HFA President and CEO Liz Clark will underscore the urgent need for unified global action and the central role the fitness industry must play in shaping healthier societies.
Participants will hear from influential leaders including Caroline Brooks, head of physical activity at the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI); Rokas Morkunas, director of policy and member engagement of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); and David Pranger, head of corporate affairs and social impact at the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), in a discussion moderated by Anton Severin, HFA vice president of research. Together, they will examine how data-driven advocacy and global research are influencing policies that support more active, equitable communities.
A second fireside chat will focus on turning policy into action at the national level. Moderated by Mike Goscinski, HFA vice president of government affairs, this conversation will feature Karl Dunne, CEO of Ireland Active, and Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, who will share proven strategies for advancing physical activity through legislation, partnerships, and community engagement.
The session will conclude with an open forum, offering attendees the opportunity to contribute ideas and foster cross-sector collaboration.
"This summit is not just a conversation—it's the beginning of a global movement to embed physical activity into the fabric of public health policy," said Clark. "By gathering these global leaders in Amsterdam, we’re creating the foundation for lasting change, built on shared knowledge, purpose, and commitment."
The Global Advocacy Summit represents a defining moment for the fitness sector and its role in public health. By linking research to policy and practice, the summit aims to catalyze a coordinated global response to the inactivity crisis—ensuring more people, in more places, can lead active, healthy lives.
Registration for the HFA European Congress is available at healthandfitness.org/congress.
