When I travel to other countries for speaking and consulting engagements, I generally use American Airlines, which offers me the best options for international flights, thanks to its “One World Alliance” program with other carriers.  That phrase reminds me of IHRSA.

Although I don’t know the scope or details of the “One World Alliance,” it’s obviously intended to evoke an impression, among passengers, that a symbiotic partnership exists between the airlines that transcends international borders. The companies’ shared goal is to ensure seamless travel to their customers’ intended destinations.

During a recent return trip to Dallas from the 3rd Annual ChinaFit/IHRSA China Management Forum in Nanjing, China, it struck me that IHRSA serves a similar role in the global health and fitness industry in a number of ways:

IHRSA continues to evolve into a truly “international” association, with an ever-increasing number of its member clubs located all over the world. In fact, clubs outside of the U.S. now represent a significant percentage of the association’s membership. 

Through a variety of partnerships and events—e.g., the ChinaFit forum; the European Congress; and the IHRSA/Fitness Brazil Latin America Conference and Trade Show—IHRSA has formed solid and successful partnerships with organizations around the globe, all of which embrace, promote, and work toward the common goal of growing this industry.

Though there may be cultural differences, clubs in China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia struggle with many of the same challenges as clubs in the U.S. Topics such as effective facility design, the use of social media, enhancing the member experience, generating more revenue per member, member retention, and retaining quality staff—these are issues that are relevant to all.

There’s a palpable passion among club leaders in nearly every corner of the world––whether they do business in São Paulo, Madrid, or Dubai––when it comes to learning about and improving their businesses. They’re also unanimously sincere in their desire to help club members improve their health.

As an association, IHRSA has a lot to offer operators everywhere, and, believe me, it’s more committed than ever to doing so. While we may have differences, political and otherwise, with other countries, we share common goals when it comes to fitness. In traveling, I’ve also found my professional peers to be an open and receptive audience.

The phrase “One World Alliance” has a nice ring, don’t you think?  It’s a concept our industry would do well to adopt.