Elevate

Elevate: the event for the entire industry

Elevate’s Event Director, Lucy Findlay, speaks about the importance of Elevate for the sports industry

What would you say to people who think Elevate is a gym event?

Elevate was created to be the first cross sector event for fitness, sports and health – three key markets all interested in getting more people more active.

The audience at Elevate is always varied and enjoys connecting and learning through the exhibition and education streams. There is no denying that we have really engaged with the fitness and gym market - the key suppliers within that space use Elevate to meet decision-makers from gym, health clubs and leisure centres. That said, these are also suppliers to other sectors, including sports markets – from grassroots up to elite level training spaces – who are delighted to see a variety of buyers under one roof.

Why is Elevate so important for the sports industry?

Sport can be found in so many places – schools, universities, local authority sites (both inside and out), clubs, private coaching groups, social activities and within more fitness-based spaces such as health clubs and wellness centres.

Elevate allows the sports market to engage with all these spaces, facilities and networks in one place.

Our relationships with bodies like ukactive, Sport England, Active Partnerships, EIS,

Lucy Findlay, Elevate Event Director

ISEH and CIMSPA, to name a few, allow the sports market to strengthen existing relationships whilst building new connections.

Is there potential for the ‘fitness industry’ and the ‘sport industry’ to come together more?

100% - the overall goal of getting people active and creating spaces and opportunities for this is aligned across both markets – one might be via football or tennis and the other through a group exercise class or gym workout. Even with differences they have shared goals, suppliers and partners, but they also can learn from each other, making Elevate a perfect opportunity for them to come together.

What was the biggest success of Elevate 2022?

Just getting back after the pandemic felt like a success, but the biggest win would have been the level of content and connection across the show from the

high-quality attendees. The conversations and meetings on the exhibition stands really showed that Elevate is a buyers’ destination! Within the theatres the sessions were really well attended and stirred real thought leading debates and discussions.

What has been a personal highlight for you since Elevate started?

I have been with Elevate since it launched so this is a tricky question as getting on site each year is a highlight! However, opening the event doors after a 2-year delay due to the pandemic this year and seeing queues of people waiting to get in was amazing.

Elevate is a free event. Why is this important?

The education and range of exhibitors at Elevate should be accessible for buyers, facilities and operators within the sectors we bring together. We also want exhibitors to get the most out of their time at Elevate and being free to invite all current and potential clients to meet them and see their products is an unparalleled networking opportunity for suppliers.

As well as a strong seminar programme, the event showcases the latest tech in sport

We’re already saving the date for Elevate 2023… how are the plans going? What can we expect to see?

Many of our existing exhibitors have rebooked for 2023 and we look forward to working with them again, as well as welcoming new names to the exhibition. We are also working with a range of supporters to build the different areas of the event with credibility. The key areas we will be developing for 2023 are sports facilities, active kids and sports therapy – we have a lot of interest already for these targets and look forward to connecting them more with the rest of the event. ●

ELEVATE 2023 SAVE THE DATE 14-15 JUNE 2023