FIBO 2025, which yesterday partnered with EuropeActive for the 12th European Health and Fitness Forum and the launch of the European Health and Fitness Market Report with Deloitte, opens its trade show today in Cologne Germany, with a record attendance expected across 11 halls of equipment and services.

FIBO is also celebrating 40 years of trading, having launched in 1985.

Newly constructed for 2025 is Hall 1, which will host an significantly expanded wellness offering.

"With the introduction of Hall 1, we're setting new benchmarks for the future of wellness, hospitality, and longevity," says Anke Brendt, product manager at FIBO.

"Our goal is to provide hoteliers, spa operators, studio owners, medical professionals, and wellness experts with an unparalleled platform for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and networking.

"From the 'Meeting Point Spa and Wellness' to the Longevity Experience Area and the Longevity and Hospitality Summit, we're offering visionary formats that foster dialogue among industry leaders while delivering actionable insights," she said.

The wellness event kicks off today with the presentation of the Aktiv Hotel Award by Mein Tophotel, which honours outstanding active hotels. This will be followed tomorrow (11 April) by International Day, where experts from the global wellness and hospitality industry will show how health and longevity can be used to drive economic success.

Dr Peter Hauschild, Claudia Wagner and Oliver Patrick will provide practical insights and pioneering strategies for hoteliers and resort operators.

The event will be moderated by Andrew Gibson of Andrew Gibson Advisory, Sven Huckenbeck of Huckenbeck Holistic and Lisa Starr, principal at Wynne Business.

Other speakers on wellness during FIBO will include Dr George Gatainos, chief operating and scientific officer at Chenot, Gemma Greenwood and Judith Carthwright, Aradhana Khowala, Yves Preissler, Derek Stark, Eva Schippers and Mia Kyricos.

The wellness stream will continue on Saturday when it will be dedicated to longevity diagnostics, interventions and technologies, with Nina Ruge from StaYoung Media, Jörg Puchta MD, Robert Percy Marshall MD and Lutz Graumann MD.

The programme will continue on 'Spa Sunday' with an industry meeting for spa managers and professionals organised by SpaCamp founder Wolfgang Falkner in cooperation with Keven Prünster.

FIBO has been working with Deutscher Wellness Verband, 101 Besten, Dehoga Nordrhein, ahgz, Deutsche Longevity Gesellschaft and others to pull the programme together.

Together with its partner C4F, Longevity, a walk-in hotel room has been created based on the principles of longevity to bring longevity to life with realisable insights into exercise, nutrition, sleep and mental health.

Cold and oxygen therapy, detox and bioneural sound therapy will be presented, along with regenerative medicine, holistic nutrition and the latest health analyses.

A programme of active training courses on Pilates, yoga and mental health will also be taking place over four days in partnership with FIBO Partner, IFAA.

Exhibitors will include Gharieni Group, Devine Wellness-Anlagenbau, Landsberg First Class Aesthetic, Glow25, Cryotech Nordic, JK International, BASI Systems, Sissel and Merrithew.

The event will be rounded off with a networking dinner where the winners of the Aktiv Hotel Award will be honoured.