A New Era of Global Wellness

What does it take to build a thriving club culture, retain top talent, and achieve sustainable growth in today’s competitive fitness landscape? In this session, leaders from some of the industry’s most successful organizations share the frameworks, habits, and mindset shifts that elevate good leaders into great ones. Drawing on their experience with the REX Leadership Academy, they’ll discuss what modern leadership looks like—how it’s taught, how it’s practiced, and how it transforms clubs from the inside out.

When Dianna Risley was named Snap Fitness’s Franchisee of the Year, it wasn’t just about performance. It was about the experience her team created. In this dynamic session, three voices come together around one powerful topic: customer service that drives loyalty. Diana shares lessons from the field, while Chris and Marisa from The Empower Group offer perspective on how to build and sustain standout service. You'll leave inspired and equipped to take action.

Club leaders and organizations continue to navigate significant shifts in the workplace, including inflation’s impact on both employer and employee budgets, the rise of AI, evolving member expectations, increased private equity investment, and more. In this session, you'll explore the key trends driving success at some of the most thriving clubs in the industry and learn why they are performing better today than they were five years ago.

As wellness, healthcare, and fitness industries converge, the role of frontline and franchise leaders must evolve. They’re no longer just managing operations—they’re shaping behaviors, modeling wellness, and driving inclusive cultures in real time. Pamela Brown, EVP and Head of People & Culture at Crunch Fitness, introduces The Wellness Multiplier, a framework for developing leaders who multiply—not just manage—human potential. Drawing from national franchise experience and generational empathy work, she’ll spotlight how wellness-centered leadership creates cultural traction and performance at scale.

The fitness certification landscape is evolving rapidly. As influencers, social media, and marketing-driven courses gain prominence, the industry faces a critical challenge: how to stay relevant and influential while maintaining credibility, safety, and knowledge standards. This panel explores the current state of fitness certifications, the strategies organizations are using to adapt to new forms of influence, and the best practices for ensuring trainers remain competent, trustworthy, and respected. Attendees will gain insight into global trends, practical solutions, and the future of credentialing in fitness.

Culture isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a strategic asset that drives performance, retention, and profitability in health and fitness businesses. In this session, you’ll explore the S.O.U.L. Framework for building and sustaining a high-performing, values-driven culture across multiple locations. Learn practical systems and leadership rhythms that turn culture into measurable outcomes, from hiring to daily execution, while aligning teams, improving accountability, and maintaining authenticity. Leave inspired to lead with purpose, create loyal members, and scale your business with lasting impact.

In today’s fitness industry, staffing challenges are no longer just operational headaches, they’re barriers to growth. As member expectations evolve and competition for talent intensifies, forward-thinking owners and operators must shift their approach from filling roles to building talent ecosystems. This session explores innovative strategies to turn staffing gaps into a competitive advantage. Learn how to attract, develop, and retain high-performing teams by leveraging emerging recruitment pipelines, career development programs, and technology-driven solutions. Walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your talent pipeline, reduce turnover, and transform your workforce into a true growth engine for your business.

As workforce expectations evolve, so must the way we lead and support our teams. This session brings together industry leaders who are redefining people management—adopting fresh strategies, flexible tools, and new mindsets to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

Select Panelists to be Announced

Your team can be your biggest revenue driver…even before your systems are fully built. This session shows you how to turn new hires into high performers quickly, with strategies that spark momentum from day one. Learn how to build culture, coach leadership, and drive business growth during onboarding, slow seasons, or expansion phases. Whether you're opening a facility or just trying to get your trainers busy and profitable, you'll walk away with real-world tactics to lead smarter and build a team that thrives.

This session explores how investing in safety culture is not only a legal and ethical imperative but a strategic advantage for long-term success in the health and fitness industry. Drawing on real-world case studies, legal precedents, and international safety frameworks, the session will highlight how proactive leadership, embedded safety practices, and a people-first approach can transform health and fitness facilities into safe, supportive, and high-performing community hubs. Attendees will gain practical insights into building a safety culture that goes beyond compliance to foster trust, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.