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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
John Williamson is a partner in Finnegan’s D.C. office. He advises companies on protecting and enforcing their intellectual property, with a strong focus on trade secrets and patent litigation. With more than 20 years of experience, John has represented clients in complex disputes before federal and state courts, the U.S. International Trade Commission, arbitration panels, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. John works closely with in-house legal teams to develop IP strategies that align with business goals and mitigate risk. His practice includes trade secret investigations, litigation preparedness, and counseling on technical standards, economic exposure, and freedom-to-operate issues. He also supports clients in building and managing IP portfolios, helping them navigate competitive landscapes and protect proprietary technologies across a range of industries.