The fitness business event Australian gym owners and fitness professionals have been waiting for is heading to the Gold Coast and the 2026 program is shaping up to be the most impactful yet.
The FILEX Business Summit returns on 18–19 June 2026 at the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, marking the first time this landmark fitness industry event has been held in Queensland. For fitness business owners, studio managers, and personal trainers serious about growth, this is two days that could genuinely change the trajectory of your business.
Why This Fitness Industry Event Stands Apart
Not all fitness industry events are created equal. FILEX has built its reputation over many years by delivering education that goes well beyond inspiration. The kind of practical, high-impact strategy that owners and managers can take back to their business on Monday morning and actually implement.
The 2026 FILEX Business Summit continues that tradition with a program built around the real challenges facing Australian fitness businesses right now: standing out in a crowded market, retaining members, leading high-performing teams, and future-proofing operations in an increasingly tech-driven industry.
The full program includes two powerhouse keynotes, a cutting-edge AI Masterclass, high-impact breakout sessions on sales, leadership, retention and Facebook Ads, trend-forward panels on fitness technology and the evolving wellness landscape, and premium networking with some of Australia’s most respected fitness business operators.
The event is proudly supported by Xplor, a global leader in fitness business technology. With limited capacity at the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, early registration is strongly encouraged, this fitness business event is expected to sell out.
Day One Keynote: Matt Purcell on Branding and Messaging in the Digital World
Opening Day One of this fitness industry event is Matt Purcell. Matt is one of Australia’s most in-demand brand and marketing strategists, and the 2025 Sydney Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Media and PR. He was also ranked 82nd among Australia’s Young Entrepreneurs in 2025.
What makes Matt particularly relevant to the fitness business community is his rare combination of big-brand corporate experience and genuine fitness industry knowledge. His client roster spans global organisations including American Express, The Wallabies, and MJ Bale, through to celebrity talent and fitness operators including Fitstop. He has worked with both independent personal trainers and large multi-location gym operators, which means his frameworks are grounded in the real commercial realities of running a fitness business in Australia.
His keynote, Branding and Messaging in the Digital World, is built specifically for gym owners, personal trainers, and fitness brands who deliver excellent results for their clients but find it difficult to communicate that value clearly enough to cut through in competitive local markets.
Attendees will walk away with immediately actionable frameworks, including:
- How to craft a clear, compelling narrative that positions your gym as the obvious choice in your market
- The media and content strategies that are actually gaining traction right now
- Which marketing metrics genuinely matter today — and which ones to stop wasting time on
- How gym owners and trainers can build a powerful personal brand to attract more members and business opportunities
- A live Q&A session where Matt will workshop real marketing challenges directly from the floor
“If your gym offers great service but struggles to stand out, this session will give you the messaging, media strategy, and positioning frameworks to change that,” says Purcell.
Day Two Keynote: Greg Sellar on Customer Service with Heart
Day Two of this fitness business event features leadership and communication specialist Greg Sellar. Greg’s keynote — Beyond Automation: Customer Service with Heart — speaks directly to one of the most important tensions in the industry today.
As AI and automation become embedded in fitness business operations, Sellar’s session is a timely reminder that the competitive edge for most gyms will always come down to how members feel when they walk through the door. His keynote explores how fitness businesses can embrace technology without sacrificing the human connection that drives loyalty and long-term retention
The AI Masterclass: Future-Proofing Your Fitness Business
One of the most talked-about additions to this year’s fitness industry event is a dedicated AI Masterclass. It’s a forward-thinking session designed to help fitness business owners understand and apply artificial intelligence in practical, profitable ways. From automating marketing workflows and admin tasks to improving member communication, this is the kind of education that positions Australian fitness businesses ahead of the curve.
Australia's Premier Fitness Business Event Makes Its Gold Coast Debut
The move to the Gold Coast adds an exciting new dimension to what is already Australia’s most respected fitness business event. The Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach is a world-class venue in one of Australia’s most energetic cities, and with networking opportunities that extend well beyond the conference room, the location itself becomes part of the experience.
For fitness professionals travelling from interstate, it’s also a compelling reason to make a proper trip of it.
Whether you’re an independent trainer building your business from the ground up, or an established gym operator looking to sharpen your strategy and connect with the best minds in the industry, the FILEX Business Summit 2026 is the fitness industry event you don’t want to miss.
Tickets are on sale now. Register at filex.com.au
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