HCM can report that Europe Active's annual thought-leader conference, the European Health and Fitness Forum (EHFF), will go ahead this year alongside the FIBO trade show in Cologne.

Herman Rutgers, Europe Active Ambassador, has confirmed that the event is in preparation, with 30 speakers expected.

Rutgers said Deloitte is preparing new research into the impact of COVID-19, to be presented at EHFF.

The Conference will take place on 30 September before the FIBO show, which runs 1-3 October.

FIBO announced last week it will run as a trade-only event this year to limit numbers and enable safer operations in light of COVID-19. The trade show will end early this year on the Saturday evening, instead of running on into Sunday.

This change – mandated the North Rhine-Westphalian state government – is expected to ratchet numbers down from the 150,000 it's achieved in recent years to around 80,000.

A total of 350 exhibitors are expected.

"We know how painful this decision is for the FIBO community, especially for FIBO regulars," says FIBO director Silke Frank, "but please understand that our hands are tied and we cannot help it."

Virtual events with videos of exhibitors, live streaming, interviews and workouts-on-demand will provide a FIBO@Home experience for consumers, who are also being offered the chance to use their tickets in 2021 or take a full refund.

Find out more about FIBO here.

Connect to the EHFA conference here.