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The Agenda Is Set for HFA's 2026 Fly-In and Advocacy Summit

Industry leaders will meet in Washington, DC, June 8-10. Here’s how to register.

Anticipation is building for the fourth annual HFA 2026 Fly-In and Advocacy Summit, June 8-10. Last year’s event drew a record turnout with more than 125 fitness industry leaders attending. This year, HFA expects a larger turnout and more interactions with policymakers, as more issues continue to emerge that demonstrate the importance of the fitness industry’s role in supporting public health.

During last year's Fly-In, Congress was deep into legislative negotiations for the House Reconciliation Act. Despite the busy schedule, lawmakers and their staff members took time to host groups of industry leaders—a testament to the credibility the industry has built on Capitol Hill over the past several years.

The Summit portion of the Fly-In will include presentations hosted by influential speakers and policymakers, who will provide attendees with the information and talking points they need when meeting with elected officials on Capitol Hill.

The Stakes in 2026

The Fly-In is not a traditional lobbying event but another step in building a strategic alliance of the industry's most influential voices when engaging with legislators. It is an opportunity to align around shared priorities and elevate the industry’s standing in national policy conversations.

The agenda will address a range of issues:

• Creating a regulatory framework to support industry growth;

• Protecting and promoting access to fitness facilities and services through Medicare and other federal health programs;

• Strengthening consumer trust; and

• Demonstrating the industry's measurable role in reducing healthcare costs and improving public health outcomes.

One group of club and studio operators met with Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) (center) during last year's Fly-In.

A panel from last year’s Fly-In featuring (l to r) Colin Milner, founder and CEO of the International Council on Active Aging; Dominique Dawes, founder of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy; and Dr. Katrina Piercy, director of the Division of Prevention Science at the US Department of Health and Human Services.

At the 2025 Fly-In, then Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) led a morning workout. Mullin is now Secretary of Homeland Security.

One significant item on the docket involves the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rules on negative option marketing. HFA will bring the operational realities of in-person fitness facilities to the conversation, pushing back on regulatory approaches that could disproportionately burden gym operators.

The Fly-In will also spotlight a new HFA initiative aimed at helping US military recruits meet physical activity standards required for service, positioning the fitness industry as a national security asset as well as a public health one.

Updating Physical Activity Guidelines

Another policy championed by the HFA at this year's event concerns the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Currently, these guidelines are not codified in statute, meaning they do not receive the same consistent legislative attention as the FDA's dietary guidelines. HFA is working to change that.

Progress is already being made. A House subcommittee recently held a hearing on the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (H.R. 6121), a bipartisan bill that would establish a formal process for updating the Physical Activity Guidelines. HFA and the Physical Activity Alliance both submitted statements for the record, reinforcing a simple point: Physical activity is central to prevention, cost reduction, and long-term health.

The Fly-In will also present new research on GLP-1 medications and similar treatments and how they impact the health and fitness industry. (See here for more.) This information will help policymakers understand the importance of the fitness industry in providing the necessary support for the millions of Americans who use GLP-1 medications.

Three Days, One Mission

The event kicks off on the evening of June 8 with a welcome reception at HFA's Washington offices at 1627 I Street, NW. Day two moves to the historic Hotel Riggs—housed in the landmark former Riggs National Bank building at 9th and F Street—for an afternoon Advocacy Summit, followed by dinner at Memorial Continental Hall, part of the historic Daughters of the American Revolution headquarters.

The action moves to Capitol Hill on the morning of June 10, beginning with a group photo on the Capitol steps before a full day of Congressional meetings running from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day wraps up with a debrief and happy hour at the VIDA Penthouse Pool Club.

Who Should Attend

HFA is specifically calling on senior decision-makers—owners and operators, C-suite executives, general counsel, and chief marketing and strategy officers—to participate. Space is limited, and registration is open.

For an industry that touches millions of Americans and plays a growing role in preventive healthcare, the message from HFA is clear: The future of fitness policy is being written now, and industry leaders need to be in the room.

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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