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March 12-14, 2025 | Las Vegas, Nevada

A New Era of Global Wellness

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Dr. Paul Bedford

Industry Expert, Retention Guru, Inc
Speaker Bio

Paul has been working internationally with membership-based business for more than three decades. His research has reviewed the data from 15 million members, from 7500+ businesses in 71 retention related topic areas. He has presented more than 220 international presentations in 34 different countries.

See This Speaker

  • Mar 16

    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

    Retention in the Economics Era: Why Experience Alone Isn’t Enough

    The fitness industry has entered a new era — one where growth is constrained by economics, not ambition. Rising acquisition costs, tighter margins, and increased choice mean retention is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s the primary growth engine and a fundamental economic lever for long-term profitability.

    In this session, we’ll examine retention through an economic, behavioral, and data-driven lens, combining operator realities with actionable insights on how retention can be measured and managed more like a business metric than a buzzword. Our panel will explore patterns in visit behavior, onboarding impact, churn risk signals, and how leading operators are turning insights into systemic improvements.

    Retention isn’t just about keeping members happy. It’s about understanding the underlying economics and human behavior that drive attendance, loyalty, and lifetime value.

Sessions

  1. 9:30 am - 10:00 am

    Global Wellness - State of the Industry

    The session unveils HFA's newly-released Global Report, providing an in-depth analysis of current fitness and wellness trends across the world. This session will highlight key findings from the report, focusing on emerging industry trends and shifts impacting different markets. We will also offer insights into regional developments, consumer behavior, and market opportunities, from the GWI’s annual research projects. Discover strategic approaches to navigate and capitalize on these changes effectively.

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      Anton Severin

      VP, Research, HFA

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      Beth McGroarty

      VP, Research, Global Wellness Institute

  2. 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

    Sharing Your Voice & Empowering the Future

    HFA is working to give the industry a seat at the table. It is more important than ever to have a strong unified voice on public policy issues that impact the health and fitness industry. This session will focus on the key advocacy work taking place in Washington, DC and in state houses throughout the nation. Learn about what HFA is focused on to protect your bottom line and position the industry for success.

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      Mike Goscinski

      VP, Government Affairs, HFA

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      Charles Regnante

      Manager, Government Affairs, HFA

  3. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    Price Elasticity Study

    This research-driven discussion will delve into how understanding price elasticity can transform your pricing strategy. We’ll explore data on membership trends, seasonal fluctuations, and consumer behavior to determine optimal pricing strategies. Learn when to adjust your prices and how to effectively respond to market shifts, maximizing revenue while retaining members. Featuring case studies and actionable insights, this session equips operators with the tools to navigate pricing challenges in a competitive landscape. 

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      Anton Severin

      VP, Research, HFA

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      Richard Beddie

      Chair, GHFA

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      Asahi Takano

      Partner and Head of Asia Pacific, Portas Consulting

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