The Ireland Active Conference & National Quality Standard (NQS) Awards 2025 took place in The Johnstown Estate, Co. Meath, on 24th October and marked a new milestone for the industry, with record-breaking attendance and a day filled with inspiration, innovation, and recognition.
Professionals, operators, and partners from across the country gathered for a full day of learning, collaboration, and celebration, followed by an evening honouring the very best in the leisure, health, and fitness sector.
Ireland Active Conference Highlights
This year’s conference featured an exceptional line-up of speakers covering topics from sustainability and technology to leadership, motivation, and the future of physical activity.
- Neil McCabe — ESG in Action: Driving Environmental & Social Good in the Leisure Industry
- Kai Troll — European Union’s Focus on the Importance of Physical Activity
- Dr. Wilby Williamson — The Missing Link: Exercise in the GLP-1 Era
- Steffie Bryant — Your Next Employee Is Already Here: Why Every Irish Fitness Business Will Hire AI Workers by 2026
- Al Mennie (Keynote) — Riding Life’s Biggest Waves
- Edel Clarke — Business of Padel
Each session brought valuable insights and sparked important conversations on how the Irish leisure and fitness industry can continue to grow and evolve in a rapidly changing world.
Celebrating Excellence: NQS Awards 2025
The evening’s National Quality Standard (NQS) Awards recognised the top-performing facilities across Ireland. Awards were presented across three levels — Gold, Silver, and Bronze — acknowledging excellence in safety, hygiene, customer engagement, and operational quality.
All NQS 2026-accredited facilities were also recognised for maintaining exceptional standards and driving improvement across the sector.
Overall Award Winners 2025
- Overall Leisure Club of the Year: K Leisure Naas (Co. Kildare)
- Overall Hotel Leisure Facility of the Year: Anner Hotel (Co. Tipperary)
- Overall Fitness Club of the Year: TUS Athlone (Co. Westmeath)
- Best Newcomer Award: The Johnstown Estate (Co. Meath)
- Most Improved Facility: Active Tribe Courtown (Co. Wexford)
- Supplier Member of the Year: Complete Leisure (Co. Kildare)
- Staff Member of the Year: Lizzie Burke (Westpark Fitness) (Tallaght, Co. Dublin)
- Sustainability Initiative/Project of the Year: Active Tribe Courtown (Co. Wexford)
- Community Initiative/Project of the Year: Dundalk Sports Centre (Co. Louth)
Industry Collaboration & Innovation
The event also featured a vibrant exhibitor showcase, where Gold, Silver, and Bronze suppliers presented their latest products, technologies, and innovations to delegates throughout the day. Their participation added great value and demonstrated the strong partnerships that help advance the sector.
A Record-Breaking Year
With the highest number of delegates ever in attendance, the 2025 Ireland Active Conference & NQS Awards set a new benchmark for engagement and industry collaboration, reaffirming the strength, unity, and passion that drive Ireland’s active leisure community.
A message from Karl Dunne, CEO of Ireland Active:
“The Ireland Active Annual Conference and NQS Awards bring together industry leaders, operators, and policymakers to share best practices, celebrate achievements, and shape the future of the health and fitness sector in Ireland.
The success of the National Quality Standard is a true reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our members nationwide. Each year, facilities go above and beyond to deliver safe, high-quality experiences that support healthier, more active communities. The Conference and Awards are a celebration of that excellence and of our shared commitment to raising standards, enhancing safety, and delivering outstanding service across the sector.”
View the Highlights
Ireland Active Conference 2025 Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19Zol6p3MXOBkIbWfQdIojdQnBA6orT2m?usp=sharing
NQS Awards 2025 Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PNHMN0eW0C9Lv1bJ66fAnhM8G1WSHgRH?usp=sharing
