CHFS Agenda | Kisaco Research
Agenda Days: 
  • Wednesday, 18 Feb, 2026
    Pre-Day

    WORKSHOP: Butter

    Session Topics: 
    Scaling
    AI
    Digitalization
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    Charles Rosenblatt

    Chief Commercial Officer
    Butter Payments

    Charles Rosenblatt

    Chief Commercial Officer
    Butter Payments
    Time: 
    3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    Session Type: 
    General Session (Presentation)

    WORKSHOP: Location Is (Still) Everything: How to Choose, Negotiate, and Scale Physical Spaces

    Site selection is strategy, especially when you're scaling. This session unpacks how top fitness brands are using real estate analytics to choose winning locations, negotiate smarter leases, and decide between foot traffic hubs and destination spaces. Walk away with proven tactics to optimise rent, minimise risk, and expand with confidence, whether you're opening your second location or your twentieth. 

    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    John Klein

    Chief Executive Officer
    Pause Studio

    As the SVP of Real Estate for Equinox, from 2002 to 2018, John led the expansion for both Equinox and Soulcycle.

    As Co-founder of Pause, John is focused on business vision and strategy, growth, real estate development, and financing for the company. 

    John Klein

    Chief Executive Officer
    Pause Studio

    As the SVP of Real Estate for Equinox, from 2002 to 2018, John led the expansion for both Equinox and Soulcycle.

    As Co-founder of Pause, John is focused on business vision and strategy, growth, real estate development, and financing for the company. 

    Time: 
    4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
    Session Type: 
    General Session (Presentation)
  • Thursday, 19 Feb, 2026
    Registration & Welcome Refreshments
    8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
    Chairperson's Opening Address
    8:50 AM - 9:00 AM
    Morning Sessions

    Designing Desire: The Next Evolution of Prestige in Fitness

    Luxury fitness is entering a new phase defined by biometric optimization, AI-curated longevity programs, and ultra-personalized, high-touch ecosystems that extend far beyond the gym floor. We'll unpack how forward-thinking brands are building premium revenue streams through medical-grade recovery, hormone and metabolic diagnostics, and exclusive community tiers that drive lifetime value. Walk away with key intel on how to prioritize high-margin innovation, future-proof your offering, and outpace competitors in the next evolution of luxury fitness. 

    Session Topics: 
    Scaling
    AI
    Digitalization
    Revenue Diversification
    Data
    Science-Backed Trends
    Longevity
    Preventative Health
    Consumer Behaviour
    Member Experience
    Women's Health
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    John Penny

    Managing Director
    Third Space

    John Penny

    Managing Director
    Third Space
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    9:00 AM - 9:20 AM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 1
    Session Type: 
    Track

    Maximizing ROI Across HVLP Models

    HVLP is doubling down on efficiency, scale, and most importantly, experience. We’ll break down how leaders are leveraging automation, lean staffing, dynamic pricing, and high-value digital and wellness add-ons to grow market share, deepen unit economics and build loyalty. Walk away with clarity on where to invest, what to streamline, and how to unlock even greater profitability in this rapidly scaling segment.

    Session Topics: 
    Scaling
    Revenue Diversification
    Data
    AI
    Digitalization
    Science-Backed Trends
    Longevity
    Preventative Health
    Consumer Behaviour
    Member Experience
    Women's Health
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    9:20 AM - 9:40 AM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 1
    Session Type: 
    Track

    What’s Fueling the Next Wave of Boutique Growth?

    Boutique fitness in 2026 is defined by precision: AI-personalized programming, integrated recovery, and new loyalty models that reward frequency, not just attendance. We’ll explore how leading concepts are shifting to performance-meets-wellness models, embedding diagnostics, and extending beyond the four walls through tech-enabled coaching and digital upsells. Walk away with the strategies to evolve your offering, deepen retention, and drive premium revenue in this next phase of boutique growth.

    Session Topics: 
    Scaling
    Revenue Diversification
    Data
    AI
    Digitalization
    Science-Backed Trends
    Longevity
    Preventative Health
    Consumer Behaviour
    Member Experience
    Women's Health
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    JJ Creegan

    Chief Operating Officer
    OrangeTheory Fitness

    J.J. Creegan has been part of the Orangetheory team since 2020 and has been in the industry for +20 years. In his role as COO he oversees the strategy for the performance, support, & quality of all global studios.

    Before joining Orangetheory, J.J. was a key member of the founding team and served as Chief Operating Officer at Youfit Health Clubs. In this role, he spearheaded operations, strategy, marketing, and culture, driving the brand’s rapid expansion from concept to over 120 owned and operated locations in under eight years. His leadership was instrumental in transforming Youfit into a prominent player in the fitness industry.

    J.J. Is also a board member for the Health & Fitness association (formally IHRSA) advocating for our industry and representing OTF. His career in the industry began as a teenager stacking weights at an early Planet Fitness location. 

    J.J. is a true power walker who always prefers to start on the floor. His favorite benchmark is absolutely the 200m row. He and his wife Megan are happy parents to eight-year-old twins Jolene & J.J. IV.

    JJ Creegan

    Chief Operating Officer
    OrangeTheory Fitness

    J.J. Creegan has been part of the Orangetheory team since 2020 and has been in the industry for +20 years. In his role as COO he oversees the strategy for the performance, support, & quality of all global studios.

    Before joining Orangetheory, J.J. was a key member of the founding team and served as Chief Operating Officer at Youfit Health Clubs. In this role, he spearheaded operations, strategy, marketing, and culture, driving the brand’s rapid expansion from concept to over 120 owned and operated locations in under eight years. His leadership was instrumental in transforming Youfit into a prominent player in the fitness industry.

    J.J. Is also a board member for the Health & Fitness association (formally IHRSA) advocating for our industry and representing OTF. His career in the industry began as a teenager stacking weights at an early Planet Fitness location. 

    J.J. is a true power walker who always prefers to start on the floor. His favorite benchmark is absolutely the 200m row. He and his wife Megan are happy parents to eight-year-old twins Jolene & J.J. IV.

    Author:

    John Meloun

    Chief Financial Officer
    Xponential

    John Meloun

    Chief Financial Officer
    Xponential
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    9:40 AM - 10:00 AM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 1
    Session Type: 
    Track

    Adapting Your Offerings for the GLP Era: The Latest in Science and Strategy

    GLP-1 medications are reshaping why people walk through your doors, and what they expect when they do. We’ll explore how gyms, studios and clubs are responding with medical partnerships, habit coaching, adaptive programming that complements pharmacological weight loss and more. Walk away with actionable strategies to stay relevant, retain members, and create new revenue streams in this fast-evolving health landscape.

    Session Topics: 
    Revenue Diversification
    Science-Backed Trends
    Preventative Health
    Women's Health
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    Tracy J Sims

    Executive Director of Corporate Affairs - Diabetes and Obesity Care
    Eli Lilly

    Tracy J Sims

    Executive Director of Corporate Affairs - Diabetes and Obesity Care
    Eli Lilly
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    10:00 AM - 10:40 AM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 1
    Session Type: 
    Track
    Morning Break & Networking
    10:40 AM - 11:20 AM
    Morning Sessions

    Turning Insurance into a Fitness Ally Doesn't Have to Be Difficult

    Insurers are emerging as powerful distribution partners fueling engagement through fitness incentives, reimbursement programs, and digital health integrations. We’ll explore how leading operators are tapping into this ecosystem to attract new members, boost retention, and streamline backend operations. Walk away with a blueprint for building scalable, low-friction partnerships that turn insurance into a growth engine.

    Session Topics: 
    Revenue Diversification
    Preventative Health
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 1
    Session Type: 
    Track

    A Deep Dive into Women’s Health Capital Flows

    This session will break down market growth, spotlight key players driving capital into the space, and explore where investors like Next Ventures are placing their bets. Walk away with a sharper understanding of where the money is going and why the smartest investors are already there.

    Session Topics: 
    Women's Health
    Science-Backed Trends
    Longevity
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    Melanie Strong

    Founding Partner
    Next Ventures

    Melanie Strong

    Founding Partner
    Next Ventures
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 6
    Session Type: 
    Track

    Cracking Corporate Wellness: How to Win, Scale, and Deliver ROI

    Corporate wellness is evolving from a nice-to-have to a strategic investment in workforce health, equity, and retention. We’ll unpack how fitness and wellness brands are aligning with HR goals, navigating procurement, and building scalable programs for remote and hybrid teams. Walk away with a framework to win corporate deals, prove ROI, and activate partnerships that drive sustained revenue and brand visibility.

    Session Topics: 
    Revenue Diversification
    Longevity
    Member Experience
    Consumer Behaviour
    Women's Health
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    Bill Bourque

    Chief Operating Officer
    EXOS

    Bill Bourque

    Chief Operating Officer
    EXOS

    Author:

    Andrew Matthews

    Health + Performance Service Delivery Lead
    Google

    Andrew Matthews

    Health + Performance Service Delivery Lead
    Google

    Author:

    Doug Leonard

    Vice President of Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives
    SoulCycle

    Doug Leonard

    Vice President of Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives
    SoulCycle

    Author:

    Dr. William Ajayi

    Global Head of Wellbeing
    Netflix

    Dr. William Ajayi

    Global Head of Wellbeing
    Netflix
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 1
    Session Type: 
    Track

    Latest in Female Physiology - The Science that Will Define 2026

    The future of women’s wellness is being shaped by science, not trends. This session dives deep into the latest research on hormone-responsive training and nutrition, sarcopenia resistance training, and stress resiliance, revealing how female physiology is finally taking center stage. Walk away with a data-backed understanding of what’s changing, what’s clinically validated, and what will define the next generation of fitness solutions for women.

    Session Topics: 
    Women's Health
    Science-Backed Trends
    Longevity
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    Amber Taylor

    Chief Digital Product Officer
    Les Mills

    Amber Taylor

    Chief Digital Product Officer
    Les Mills

    Author:

    Jinger Gottschall

    Director of Sports Research
    New Balance

    Jinger Gottschall

    Director of Sports Research
    New Balance
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    11:40 AM - 12:10 PM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 6
    Session Type: 
    Track

    How to Design for HER Based on Science-Backed Trends

    Turning science into strategy is the next step and fitness operators are rethinking programming, coaching, and environments to meet women’s evolving needs. This session explores how to operationalize hormone-informed training, recovery protocols for perimenopause, and stress-responsive formats in real-world studio and gym settings. 

    Session Topics: 
    Women's Health
    Science-Backed Trends
    Longevity
    Speaker(s): 

    Author:

    Sadie Lincoln

    Chief Executive Officer
    Barre3

    Sadie Lincoln

    Chief Executive Officer
    Barre3

    Author:

    Seane Marie Faulkner

    Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation
    The Well NYC

    Seane Marie Faulkner

    Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation
    The Well NYC
    Session Job Focus: 
    Time: 
    12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
    Agenda Track No.: 
    Track 6
    Session Type: 
    Track
Agenda Tracks: 
Track Title: 
Growth & Strategy Studio
Track Color: 
#2690cb
Track Title: 
Health & Longevity Studio
Track Color: 
#faad38
Track Title: 
Data & Tech Studio
Track Color: 
#170041
Track Title: 
Community and Member Experience Studio
Track Color: 
#ec3319
Track Title: 
Wellness Corner
Track Color: 
#29ffe3
Track Title: 
Women's Health Symposium
Track Color: 
#af13ff
Event Reference: 
Connected: Health & Fitness Summit 2026