The 40th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) begins today in Dallas, Texas, US, offering both an in-person and virtual programme and visitor experience.

Sessions at IHRSA 2021 will be translated into five languages – Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese, allowing virtual attendees to immerse themselves in the program in their own language.

The virtual programme will stream and translate all keynotes, the SPARK! Sessions and an educational session in each major time slot.

Online attendees will also receive exclusive virtual content, such as four regional CEO panel discussions and virtual visits to 10 of the best health clubs in the world.

All attendees – virtual and in-person – will be given extended access to selective sessions taking place in Dallas, which are available on-demand the day after the session begins until December 31, 2021.

Liz Clark, IHRSA’s president and CEO, commented, “We're excited to reinforce IHRSA 2021 by offering a hybrid option.

"This means that our global community of members can connect for three days of knowledge-sharing, education, and intensive networking.”

Events taking place during the conference include the 12th Annual IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit, which this year will have the theme of "Your Mission is Your Magic"/

IHRSA also has extensive safety precautions in place, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

On-site COVID-19 testing will be available and, in addition, all attendees, speakers, staff, visitors and exhibitors will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of on-site event registration.

To see the full IHRSA schedule, click here.

Later this year, in November, the new IHRSA SMART Summit will take place alongside the B2B trade show FitnessConnected.

The summit replaces the IHRSA European Congress – originally scheduled to take place in Berlin in 2020.

IHRSA has indicated the Congress will resume in 2022.