AROUND THE WORLD WITH HFA

Unifying the Industry’s Voice: HFA’s Global Advocacy Summit

Returning to The HFA Show in 2026, the Summit brings global leaders together to expand the fitness industry’s influence around the world.

As the global health and fitness industry becomes more integrated into public health programs and healthcare systems worldwide, advocacy has become both more complex and more essential.

This reality spurred the creation of HFA’s Global Advocacy Summit, which first launched at The HFA Show in 2025. A second Summit was held at the HFA European Congress 2025 in Amsterdam, and HFA will hold its third Global Advocacy Summit at The HFA Show 2026 in San Diego on March 17.

A Packed Agenda

The Summit in March will feature two panel sessions, followed by an open forum discussion. In alignment with The HFA Show’s overarching theme of Stronger Together, the event will explore complex topics to align the global fitness industry’s voice and strategy as it continues to be recognized as preventive healthcare within public health systems.

“For fitness to be recognized as essential to health systems, everyone in the industry has to show up aligned, evidence-based, and globally coordinated. This summit is about moving the industry forward together across markets, borders, and policy environments.” • Mike Goscinski

For industry leaders looking to understand where global fitness policy is headed and how to help shape it, the Global Advocacy Summit at The HFA Show 2026 is a must-attend event.

Agenda

The Research: Advancing Physical Activity Within GLP-1 Care Pathways

Time: 2 to 2:30 p.m. PST

Moderator: Anton Severin, Vice President of HFA Research

This panel explores how emerging research is reshaping conversations around obesity and metabolic health. As GLP-1 therapies gain traction globally, evidence increasingly shows that sustainable outcomes require movement, particularly strength training and regular physical activity.

The discussion highlights how research efforts are informing clinical guidance and laying the groundwork for broader system-level integration of fitness into care models.

Speaking With One Voice: Framing GLP-1 Care for Public Policy

Time: 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. PST

Moderator: Mike Goscinski, HFA Chief of Staff

Building on the foundation established in the first session, this panel serves as an educational tool for advocates seeking to effectively frame GLP-1 care to governments and policymakers. The discussion grounds the conversation in physical and metabolic outcomes—articulating why coupling GLP-1 therapies with structured physical activity and strength training is essential to durability, functional health, and long-term public-health return on investment.

Designed around a whole-person care narrative, the session advances a clear, united message governments can act on: Pharmaceutical innovation delivers its greatest value when paired with movement-based interventions that are accessible, scalable, and rooted in community-based fitness settings.

Open Forum Discussion

Time: 3:15 to 4 p.m. PST

The Summit will conclude with a dialogue between leaders, policymakers, federations, NGOs, and industry stakeholders on how they can collaborate and connect research, advocacy, and global action to strengthen the fitness industry’s role in metabolic health.

Through global dialogue, these summits are helping shape the future of fitness policy across borders. Since there is a wide variety of healthcare policy from country to country, discussing strategic approaches to the issue should lead to a lively and crucial conversation.

Each conversation, partnership, and research initiative strengthens the case for fitness as a cornerstone of public health and economic vitality, helping ensure that physical activity is embedded into policy decisions at every level.

Health & Fitness Business is a publication of

Health & Fitness Business (HFB) is the leading health and fitness industry publication. Published monthly by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and distributed free to the industry, HFB offers analysis of the opportunities, challenges, issues, and news that impact the industry.

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