Set against the lively backdrop of Málaga and hosted at the elegant Higuerón Hotel, W3Fit EMEA returns from 14th – 17th October, bringing together the region’s most influential fitness operators with the industry’s leading suppliers. This flagship event has earned its reputation as the go-to gathering for forging meaningful connections, combining high-level meetings, thought-provoking education, and unique networking opportunities in a five-star environment far removed from everyday business pressures.

“We chose Higuerón Hotel and Sports Club for its unique positioning as a true playground for fitness and wellness. With its world-class sports facilities, it’s the perfect setting for us to deliver a carefully curated programme that blends business and wellness while creating authentic opportunities for our attendees to connect,” says Lucy Hugo, founder We Work Well.

Over the course of two intensive business days, 240 delegates will take part in more than 1,500 pre-arranged meetings, creating a powerful platform for collaboration and partnership. Alongside the structured agenda, an engaging social programme will showcase the beauty of the Costa del Sol, providing further opportunities for relationship-building and conversation in a relaxed setting.

The event attracts senior executives from major operators across EMEA, with confirmed attendees including David Lloyd Leisure, Snap Fitness, Nuffield Health, JD Gyms, Bannatyne, Everyone Active from the UK; Leejam Sports Company (Fitness Time), Armah Sports, UFC Gyms, Warehouse Gyms from the Middle East; and Synergym, RSG, Hilton, Basic-Fit, LifeFit, Marriott, Alertlife, Mars Athletic and Accor representing Europe.

They will be joined by a strong line-up of global suppliers, such as Technogym, Life Fitness, Keiser, Evolt, Precor, Matrix, Freemotion, Les Mills and Gladstone, ensuring an unrivalled mix of perspectives across the fitness ecosystem.

“This year’s theme, Strength in Motion, highlights the vital role of movement as a driving force for leadership and innovation. Movement powers progress, sparks creativity, and reshapes how we lead. At W3Fit, we’re inviting participants to harness the energy of fitness to generate new ideas, influence culture, and deliver lasting value for our clients, communities, and teams,” says David Zarb Jenkins, Co-founder, W3Fit EMEA.

Meanwhile, preparations are well underway for the second edition of W3Fit North America, set to take place at the Four Seasons Westlake Village in California from 21st – 24th September. With a stellar programme of industry leaders already confirmed, anticipation is building for another standout event.

For further details on upcoming W3Fit events, contact [email protected].

As summer draws to a close, global event company We Work Well is gearing up for its highly anticipated W3Fit events in North America and EMEA. Both events continue the company's mission to redefine the traditional hosted buyer format by integrating wellness into every aspect of the experience.

Over three days in a luxurious five-star setting, attendees will participate in pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, meaningful networking activities, and interactive educational sessions designed to cultivate stronger and more authentic business relationships.

The inaugural W3Fit North America event, set to take place at the beautiful Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in California from September 8-11, will bring together leaders in the U.S. fitness and wellness industry. Notable attendees include Life Time, 24 Hour Fitness, Equinox, Xponential, Self Esteem Brands, EXOS, Madabolic, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, and World Gym, alongside innovative supplier companies including Hyperice, Technogym, Matrix Fitness, InBody, ABC Fitness, Beaverfit, and WellnessSpace Brands. “We are thrilled with the response as we prepare for our first W3Fit event in North America,” says Cameron Close, event director W3Fit North America, adding, “This event further strengthens our commitment to offering innovative event programs that truly resonate with our audience, focusing on fostering genuine business connections and enhancing the overall well-being of our attendees.”

On October 8, the picturesque Chia Laguna resort in Sardinia, Italy, will host the 3rd annual W3Fit EMEA event, known for bringing together the crème de la crème of the EMEA fitness industry. “We will welcome over 200 participants to this year’s W3Fit EMEA event in Sardinia, which has become a mainstay in the fitness industry calendar for the majority of fitness operators and suppliers,” says David Zarb-Jenkins, co-founder of W3Fit. “The event has evolved, with more and more delegates from Europe and the Middle East, giving W3Fit EMEA an international flavor.”

Major fitness operators include David Lloyd Leisure, RSG Group, Nuffield Health, Fitness Park Group, Bannatyne Group, Everlast Gyms, Everyone Active, Fit+ International, Pure Gym, Fitness Express, and many more. On the supplier side, over 75 companies will be in attendance, including regulars such as Life Fitness, Precor, Myzone, Egym & Core Health & Fitness, as well as several newcomers like BLK Box, Total Gym, The Abs Company, Kingsbox, Orbit4, and Shua Fitness.

Both W3Fit North America and EMEA will feature thousands of pre-scheduled meetings between attending buyers and suppliers, as well as meaningful activities, shared meals, team building, and workouts. Educational sessions will feature leading speakers and panelists discussing various topics and trends that are shaping the future of fitness. “We are pleased to enhance our global presence, making the W3Fit brand one of the leading networking events in the industry,” says Zarb-Jenkins. “We are incredibly grateful to all our attendees for their continued support and participation, which has been instrumental in the growth and success of these events.”

For more information on upcoming W3Fit events, email [email protected]

Following a hugely successful event last year in Split, Croatia, a W3Fit EMEA, is heading to the Chia Laguna resort in Sardinia from 8-11 October.

David Zarb-Jenkins, W3Fit co-founder said: “We’re excited to take W3Fit EMEA to beautiful Sardinia at this stunning resort. The sprawling scenery and outdoor spaces make it the perfect venue to deliver our fresh, innovative programme integrating health and well-being”.

W3Fit EMEA will bring together like-minded leaders in the club and fitness industry through pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings, networking activities and a sense of community and purpose.

Buyers are carefully chosen and vetted based on purchasing plans including highly qualified owners and operators from EMEA’s top health, fitness and leisure clubs and hotels.

Meanwhile, supplier partners represent product categories that are innovating the fitness industry.

With six months remaining for the event, several fitness operators and suppliers have already committed their attendance.

Returning suppliers include Technogym, Myzone, Life Fitness, Woodway, Gantner, Proinsight, Gladstone, Les Mills, Keiser and more.

Additionally, several new suppliers – notably BLK Box, Milon, Orbit4, Total Gym, Ziva, Evolt, Exerp and Kingsbox – will be joining.

On the operator side, the event has attracted the UK’s most prominent fitness operators, who will be joined by an increased selection of top operators from the rest of Europe and the Middle East.

Buyers from the UK include David Lloyd, Nuffield, Everlast, Fitness First, Lift Brands and Everyone Active.

European companies such as Urban Gym Group, Marriott, Fit Express, Fit+ International, Holmes Place and Synergym will be hosted as well as Leejam, Puregym, Armah Sports, TriFit and Ezdihar Sports/Evox Clubs representing the Middle East.

W3Fit heads to North America
Now in its 3rd year, W3Fit by We Work Well Events is building on the resounding success in EMEA with the launch of W3Fit North America in September.

Cameron Close, global wellness director at We Work Well, has assumed the role of event director for W3Fit North America.

Close brings a wealth of experience in the health and fitness space, having overseen the wellness programme across the company’s spa, hospitality and fitness events.

He said: “I look forward to further advancing our commitment to delivering a highly targeted event programme at W3Fit North America at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, California from 8-11 September. The schedule will be centered around cultivating stronger more authentic business relationships.”

For more information about W3 Fit EMEA please contact David Zarb-Jenkins ([email protected]) and to learn more about W3Fit North America, reach out to Cameron Close ([email protected]).

Redefining Hosted Buyer Events and Adapting to a Changing Landscape

As We Work Well celebrates its fifth anniversary, founders Monica Helmstetter and Lucy Hugo take a moment to reflect on the pivotal points that have defined the company’s remarkable journey. From its inception in 2019 to the recent expansion into the North American fitness market, We Work Well has continually evolved, setting new standards in the event industry.

Background

In 2000, Monica and Lucy were two friends navigating the corporate world in Boston working together in a media company. Their friendship grew over shared interests in health and fitness, often spending lunch breaks running along the Charles River and unwinding after work with yoga and spin classes at Boston Sports Club. Even as life took them to different corners of the world, their friendship endured.

Whether meeting personally or at business events, the duo consistently prioritized challenging each other through exercise. In 2018, drawing upon nearly three decades of collective experience in the spa and wellness industry, these friends from Europe decided to forge their own path in America. Their mission? To shake up the B2B event world.

The Launch of We Work Well – Where Business Meets Wellness

Fast forward to January 2019, when Monica and Lucy announced the launch of We Work Well, introducing the next generation of hosted buyer events, aimed to redefine the traditional format by incorporating wellness into every aspect of the event experience. The goal was not only to facilitate meaningful business connections but also to inspire attendees to integrate wellness practices into their personal and professional lives.

Pivoting to Virtual Events

Responding quickly to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, We Work Well pivoted in May 2020 and introduced We Work Well Virtual, effectively transitioning their concept online. Their premier web-based virtual meeting platform facilitated connections between spa and wellness suppliers and key decision-makers through scheduled virtual one-on-one meetings, education, and networking. Leveraging the challenges of the pandemic and recognizing the potential of their web-based format, Monica and Lucy saw an opportunity to broaden their reach.

Expanding into a new market with We Work Well EMEA

Encouraged by the positive response to their virtual events, and with travel restrictions continuing to hinder conferences and tradeshows worldwide, We Work Well expanded in September 2020 with the launch of We Work Well EMEA, highlighting the growing importance of the wellness industry in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company’s expansion was fueled by its commitment to connecting suppliers and decision-makers globally, even in the face of unprecedented challenges. Based in Europe, Stephen Pace-Bonello joined the team as event director, bringing a wealth of experience in the region. In April 2022, suppliers and key decision-makers from luxury spas across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa gathered in Spain for the first in-person edition of W3Spa EMEA by We Work Well.

Launching W3Hospitality and W3Fit in Europe

October 2021, marked another milestone for We Work Well introducing two new events, W3Hospitality, and W3Fit EMEA, expanding their successful meeting concept into hospitality and fitness. To support this expansion, David Zarb-Jenkins joined as co-founder, bringing over twenty years of experience in the fitness, hospitality, and hosted-buyer sectors. These events, held at The Westin Dragonara Resort in Malta, showcased the company’s ability to adapt to the evolving needs of any vertical it enters. Within two years both events have established themselves as leaders, drawing in the top buyers and suppliers from the UK, Europe, and the Middle East

Bringing W3Fit to North America

In September 2023, We Work Well further expanded its portfolio with the addition of W3Fit North America set to take place at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in California later this year. With the intersection of fitness and wellness reshaping the traditional approach to gyms and clubs, the program, focused on fostering genuine business connections and enhancing overall well-being, further advances the company’s dedication to delivering innovative programs that resonate with its audience.

Looking Ahead

As We Work Well continues to push boundaries, launch new events, and redefine the event landscape, Monica Helmstetter and Lucy Hugo remain dedicated to their mission of connecting industry leaders, fostering authentic relationships, and promoting the integration of wellness into every aspect of business and life. As they look back on five years in business with gratitude to the many individuals who have helped shape their journey and when asked about the future, they envision the convergence of spa, fitness, and hospitality as a pivotal focus, offering an exciting opportunity for expansion and growth.