The 17th Annual International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) European Congress will focus on what fitness leaders need to know about staying ahead in an evolving industry.

With the theme “Fitness and Technology: Staying Ahead in an Evolving Industry”, the four-day event in London will see author and internet technologist Ben Hammersley and performing coach and psychologist Jamil Qureshi each give keynote speeches.

Hammersley will discuss the political, cultural, social, and corporate implications of the Internet of Things, and explain how health clubs can create a successful, long-term digital strategy.

Qureshi, who has worked with professional cricket, football, and golf players, as well as management teams of Coca-Cola, Hewlett-Packard, and the Royal Bank of Scotland, will focus on improving on what people and companies are already doing.

The programme will feature presentations by European club leaders and business experts, as well as panel and roundtable discussions. All presentations, including the keynote sessions, will be simultaneously interpreted in French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

On the final day there will be a walking tour of some of London's health clubs.

Florian Cartoux, IHRSA’s Europe director, said: “The congress is coming back to London after 13 years and we couldn’t be more excited. London boasts some of the most exciting and diverse clubs in the country, and, in terms of revenue, the UK continues to be the biggest market in the fitness industry in Europe. This congress provides an opportunity to return to the heart of fitness in Europe.”

The congress takes place in between 23-26 October.