Reed Exhibitions has confirmed the dates and venue for the first ever FIBO USA fitness trade show later this year.

The event will take place between 6 and 8 December at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

FIBO USA is part of Reed’s strategy to expand FIBO’s global activities and establish a direct presence in the world’s leading fitness markets. The main FIBO event is held annually in Germany.

Hans-Joachim Erbel, CEO of Reed Exhibitions Germany, said: “With 57.2 million members in 36,540 gyms and sales of approximately US$27.6bn, the US is the largest fitness market worldwide.

“Numerous leading fitness industry manufacturers and suppliers are located here and many of the new concepts and global trends originate here.

“The goal is for FIBO USA to become the new “must-attend event” in the US.”

While the main concept of FIBO – combining a large exhibition floor with a conference featuring seminars and keynote speeches – will remain the same, the US edition will be calibrated to cater for the American market.

A spokesperson for FIBO USA said: “Around 50 per cent of the sales of exercise equipment and concepts in the US are generated at country clubs and public institutions such as universities.

“Accordingly, FIBO USA is specifically targeted at trade visitors from fitness studios and health and wellness facilities, trainers and instructors, country clubs and hotels as well as at buyers from public-sector institutions such as schools, universities, the military and large retail buyers.”

The conference will include a stage and educational programme, planned in cooperation with the International FIBO Ambassador, Herman Rutgers. Called The American Health and Fitness Forum, it will be marketed as a “high-calibre congress agenda”, modelled after the EHFF in Cologne, Germany.