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Rene Swart is the Chief Financial Officer of Lift Brands EMEA, a global franchise organisation, where she leads financial strategy, performance, and commercial growth across multiple international markets.
A qualified accountant with a strong commercial mindset, Rene brings extensive experience spanning small, medium, and global organisations across a range of industries. Over the past six years, she has specialised in the fitness sector, combining financial discipline with operational insight to drive scalable, high-performing franchise networks.
Beyond her executive role, Rene is a proven multi-unit franchise operator, owning and managing multiple fitness clubs and brands across London and Amsterdam. This dual perspective as both franchisor leader and franchisee gives her a unique, end-to-end understanding of the business, from boardroom strategy to in-club execution.
In recognition of her impact and leadership within the industry, Rene was awarded the 2025 EWIF Woman Franchise Employee of the Year.
With a background in economics and leadership experience at Procter & Gamble, Bernardo brings a strategic, data-driven approach to building high-performing organizations. He is a recognized voice in the European fitness industry, frequently sharing insights on leadership, growth, and the future of health and fitness.
4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
The Power of Partnerships
Never underestimate the power of collaboration. This session explores the transformative impact of strategic partnerships for brand building. Attendees will learn how to leverage collaborations in philanthropic efforts, forge PR relationships, and dive into ways to give back to the community—both on a small and large scale—while strategically partnering with like-minded businesses to elevate the brand and mission. Join us for an inspiring conversation on how partnerships can amplify your reach, foster community engagement, and drive positive change in the wellness industry.
10:45 am - 11:15 am
The State of the Boutique Fitness Industry
With boutique fitness on track to be an $80 billion+ industry by 2030, it's time we dove deep into what's driving our growth and what obstacles stand to hinder that success. Join Alina Cooper and Heather Garrick of Studio Grow as they break down industry insights from the modalities that are shining, the metrics that are struggling, the team and staffing needs we must address and marketing strategies that are working today. They will share data from over 4,300 studios in 43 countries alongside their analysis of major studies and reports.
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