Jenni Connelly
University of Sterling | Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health
'Community: How local community projects can affect your membership'
Her presentation explores how involvement in local community projects can transform and strengthen the health and wellbeing of residents.
Community projects and involvement create opportunities for collaboration, shared purpose, and visible impact, increasing pride and long-term commitment. This presentation will be a whistle top tour on some of the projects Jenni is involved in with various community groups to look at the impact that physical activity and sport have on physical, mental and social health.
Simon Baker
GT3 Architects | Senior Architect
'People-Led Design, Commercially Driven Results'
GT3 will explore how thoughtfully designed physical activity spaces strengthen commercial viability while delivering meaningful social impact. Through our People Architecture approach, we start by understanding how people move, connect and use space, translating those insights into environments that drive footfall, increase dwell time and support long-term financial resilience.
We’ll reflect on how community-led design, adaptable spaces and genuine accessibility create leisure environments that are welcoming and socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. Drawing on projects such as Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre and our wider work, we’ll share how designing with people leads to stronger engagement, broader participation and exciting, flexible destinations that remain successful.
Fiona Cresswell
My Healthy Shift | Owner
'Shaping Fitness for the future - The shift to support you really getting More people, More active, More often'
Build it and they will come… But how long will they stay?
As an operator, how can you empower more of your community to connect to your facilities and provide the skills to prioritise their personal wellbeing?
Through sustainable lifestyle change, one shift at a time…
The fitness industry is on a shift to wellbeing but are you ready to deliver this? Success in health isn’t a matter of building beautiful facilities with the best amenities, this is a layered approach that requires systems and support to energise more people. Health coaching is the missing link to sustainable health and retention in your facilities.
Scott Nicoll
ANGUSalive | Adult & Membership Physical Activity Lead
'The Digital Approach'
This presentation will outline the digital approach being developed at ANGUSalive to enhance customer engagement and improve service delivery.
It will explore how we are using HireBob, an AI-powered agent, to support customer service functions including enquiries, membership cancellations, and targeted win-back communications.
The presentation will also highlight our use of online and virtual fitness classes to increase accessibility and participation.
In addition, it will showcase how authentic digital campaigns featuring real members and staff have been used to promote our services, build trust with our audience, and strengthen the connection between our facilities and the communities we serve.
Marianne Boyle
ukactive | Director of Membership and Sector Development
'Using high quality data and insight to support the changing demands of a new wave of members’
Marianne will present key data insights and intelligence from our latest consumer reports, exploring the growing influence of strength training, mental health, and GLP-1 medications. The session will examine how these trends are reshaping member needs and behaviours, and what they mean for operators adapting their offer to serve a changing customer base with an increasing focus on longevity and long-term wellbeing