Register Now for the 2025 HFA European Congress Featuring Keynote Speaker Phillip Mills

Executives attending the event October 2-4 in Amsterdam can participate in a global advocacy summit, speed meetings, roundtables, club tours, networking, and more.

The HFA European Congress will feature Les Mills Founder and Executive Director Phillip Mills as the first-day keynote for the event October 2-4 at the Beurs Van Berlage, the former stock exchange building in Amsterdam. Registration is open with expanded education opportunities.

“This year’s venue, a historic symbol of commerce, mirrors the growing impact of fitness on global communities and economies,” says Florian Cartoux, HFA EMEA director. “The HFA European Congress reflects that growing importance of our industry through the education and networking we offer. Our event remains the premier gathering for top executives, offering unparalleled content and global perspectives.”

This year's event will take place in the Beurs Van Berlage, the former stock exchange building in Amsterdam, just steps from Amersterdam Centraal train station in the heart of the city.

More than 600 industry professionals, including club and studio owners and operators, finance specialists, industry partners, and others from within and outside of Europe, are expected to attend. Sessions will be conducted in English with translation available in more than 60 languages through Wordly.

On the first day of the event, Mills will speak about the evolution of group fitness and its future. The keynote speaker for the second day will be announced soon.

Les Mills Founder and Executive Director Phillip Mills will speak about the evolution of group fitness and its path forward.

This year’s event offers expanded education opportunities with two concurrent sessions for attendees to choose from during most time slots on October 2-3. Attendees are encouraged to bring a colleague from their company so both sessions can be covered, ensuring all key insights are brought back to their business.

Those insights will include how to harness the power of Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s interest in fitness, the latest details about merger and acquisition trends and opportunities, the opportunities and pitfalls of going staffless, growth strategies in franchising and acquisitions, how design and data are shaping modern fitness spaces, and the science behind member retention.

In addition, the event will include a global advocacy summit, speed meetings, roundtable discussions, language break-out sessions, exclusive networking opportunities, and club tours. The club tours will occur on October 4.

The Beurs Van Berlage venue is in the heart of the city near the Amsterdam Centraal train station, offering convenience in travel for attendees from Europe and those who want to learn about opportunities to expand into the region.

Theo Hendriks, CEO and founder of Sports and Leisure Group, will once again serve as the local host after his successful leadership in 2014. Hendriks is a key member of the HFA’s Europe Council.

“On behalf of the European Council, I am honored and excited to partner with HFA in organizing the 22nd European Congress in Amsterdam, taking place at the historic stock exchange,” Hendriks says.

Pamela Kufahl is HFA's senior director of communication. She is responsible for driving social media content, producing member and industry-facing resources, such as the Global Report and U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report, and creating tools to help promote the industry domestically and to international media, NGOs, and policy organizations. When Pamela isn't in the office, she enjoys exercising, visiting museums, going to the theater and movies, and fostering puppies.