River Room

Tracy Sheen kicks off Congress with a powerful session on making big progress through small, strategic changes. With her trademark clarity and insight, Tracy shows how to scale your club’s innovation one step at a time, without losing your sanity or your soul. You’ll leave buzzing with fresh ideas and a clear roadmap to make change happen. 

Why do we do what we do - and how do we bring our team along for the ride? Katy Heddens brings energy, purpose and experience as she unpacks how connecting your team to your "why" transforms performance, retention, and culture. A must-attend session for leaders aiming to unite passion with purpose in their clubs.

What are the numbers really telling us? John Mitchell and a panel of experts will dissect key participation and business data from 2019–2025. With added insights from the 2024 season, this session will help you decode what’s working, what’s changing, and how to adapt your club for the road ahead. 

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of standout leadership? Join Jeff Metzger - visionary founder of Kids First Sports Center - as he shares powerful, practical insights. Drawing from decades of experience building one of the world’s most respected child physical activities facilities, Jeff dives deep into the mindset, behaviours, and habits that set exceptional leaders apart. This engaging session is perfect for those striving to lead with purpose and integrity.

Is your front desk team making the right first impression? In this session, Katy Heddens challenges us to rethink who we place at the heart of our customer experience. Explore the balance between service and sales, and learn how to recruit the right people to represent your club from day one - with purpose, polish, and performance.

The first class might hook them - but what keeps families coming back? Barbara Smith explores the real drivers of long-term retention, from the customer journey to program design. Blending data with empathy, this session gives you the tools to build connections that last well beyond the welcome tour.

Get hands-on, real-world solutions from the best minds in the room - yours! Choose from a variety of hot topics and rotate between facilitated group discussions with other club leaders and industry pros. Whether you’re looking to troubleshoot, explore new ideas, or share what’s working, this is your chance to learn collaboratively. 

AI is no longer optional, it's essential. Tracy Sheen returns to unpack how digital tools can support your team, automate what drains you, and enhance the member experience. Learn what’s working right now, where to start, and how to stay human while scaling with tech. A must for leaders wanting to future-proof their club operations.

What happens when AI meets a heart-led coaching business? In this real-world case study, Tracy Sheen and Jasmin Meaker take you inside Skylark Sports’ journey of integrating AI to enhance communication, streamline processes, and support team development. Honest, practical, and full of ideas you can take back to your club.

Step back to see the bigger picture. This trio of global leaders present an update on the White Paper, whilst providing valuable insights into and examining the latest national and international trends shaping the future of the Industry. From economic headwinds to micro-innovations, this session offers deep perspective - and actionable ideas to take your club forward.

Following the White Paper session, this is your chance to join the conversation. Facilitated by John Mitchell, this open-floor Q&A invites questions, insights, and reflections from the room. With such a high-calibre group in attendance, this session is designed to harness collective wisdom and spark the kind of discussion that moves the industry forward.

Discover Katrina McCarter’s brand-new MOTHER framework; designed to help you create a successful, sustainable marketing strategy that truly connects with mums and families. Packed with trends, practical advice, and must-do actions, this session will equip you to walk away with a process to map out a one-page strategy tailored to your audience. 

This isn’t your average finance talk. Jett Cutler brings real-world budgeting and financial skills to the front lines of your leadership team. Learn how to read key financials to make confident decisions, and align resources with goals. Get across the key metrics for success.

Jeff Metzger shares the foundational values and systems behind the Kids First success story. Discover the principles that guide every decision, conversation, and strategy - and how defining your own “true north” can align your team, inspire your families, and build a club that lasts.

As Congress winds down, this session opens the floor to forward thinking. What changes will you make next week? What ideas are ready to pilot? This wrap-up invites attendees to reflect, share takeaways, and plan next steps - together. A casual but energising close to two days of growth.