ISM2026: Shaping the Workforce Behind Europe's Health
15th International Standards Meeting | Thursday 3 December 2026 | Brussels
The ISM is back for 2026! On 3 December, the 15th International Standards Meeting brings together employers, academics, education providers, national associations and other stakeholders in Brussels to match workforce supply and demand effectively and efficiently across the fitness and physical activity sector.
As our sector shifts from fitness to health, the need for a relevant, skilled and collaborative workforce, trusted by all stakeholders, has never been greater. Technological change, the rise of medical weight loss, the emergence of longevity as a career choice and health systems under growing pressure are all reshaping what the sector needs from its professionals.
ISM2026 is where the people who hire, train and represent exercise professionals come together to respond, and to help set the direction for the European workforce.
Why attend
Hear from employers on how they keep their workforce fit for purpose and ready to meet clients' changing needs.
Discover how training and education programmes can align with the exercise for health model of coaching.
Learn from national associations about successful collaboration and how they protect and maintain professional standards.
Shape what comes next by contributing to EuropeActive's approach to education, regulation, workforce solutions and professional registration.
Who Should Attend
ISM2026 brings together everyone with a stake in the quality and future of the European fitness workforce.
Operators: decision and policy makers, workforce managers, programme and studio managers.
National associations: standard setting and education managers, registration scheme and accreditation managers.
Education providers: EuropeActive accredited training providers and other educators.
Researchers and professionals working in fitness, physical activity and health.
The Programme
ISM2026 is a key opportunity to contribute to EuropeActive's approach to education, regulation, workforce solutions and professional registration, helping to safeguard high quality, rewarding career pathways across Europe. Themes are expected to include:
☑️ Workforce readiness: how employers keep their teams fit for purpose as client needs change.
☑️ Education and training: aligning programmes with the exercise for health model of coaching.
☑️ National collaboration: how national associations protect and maintain professional standards.
☑️ Standards for people and places: EREPS for exercise professionals and FITcert® for fitness clubs.
☑️ The Exercise for Health Coach: an emerging role shaping career pathways across Europe.
The full programme and speakers will be published soon.
Registration is now open. Places are limited, so we recommend registering early.
Arriving the day before? Join us for a networking dinner on the evening of Wednesday 2 December. You can sign up when you register.
