My first column in the January issue of CBE was titled "Help wanted" and I must say the message has been clearly understood! I have been extremely well-received by all those on whom I have called for support in our quest for building a better and stronger industry in Europe.
Here are some tangible results:
Year-to-date, IHRSA Europe has signed collective membership agreements in four countries with the national federations. Our membership count now stands at more than 1,600 member clubs in Europe--more than double what we had a year ago.
We have signed strategic partnership agreements with five companies.
The Congress in Rome has a record number of sponsors, some of them first timers and new to the industry. Several countries are promoting the attendance and we are certain of a high quality group of participants.
The first IHRSA European Market Report was very well received, and a further improved version will be issued in March of 2006.
We have created a budget to conduct consumer research in six EU countries. Results will be included in the 2006 IHRSA European Market Report.
IHRSA and EHFA have agreed to a strategic alliance.
Our objective to form stronger ties within Europe between federations is progressing and there will be a first ever pan-European federations meeting on October 2 in Rome.
IHRSA is establishing a global "Health Care Task Force" of which we will form a European work group. The first meeting will coincide with the EU Congress in Rome.
In August I attended the IHRSA Institute for Professional Club Management, a four-day-intensive course, conducted at famous Babson College in the Boston area. It covers all key aspects of club management. We will be evaluating the feasibility of creating a European version of this very popular educational offering.
A lot of things are going on behind the scenes about which I hope to report in the near future...
You can see that we are on a roll in Europe, and plan to continue the pace...
See you all in Rome!
Reactions/comments to this column are welcome:
hpr@ihrsa.org
