The expert work in the UAE’s booming health and fitness sector is set to be recognised after Sport360°, FitnessLink and the Register of Exercise Professionals UAE combined to put on the inaugural FIT Awards, scheduled for Friday, December 12.
As one of the fastest growing sectors, the fitness industry in the UAE comprises more than 2,500 registered professionals across more than 160 venues and facilities.
In total, 15 categories will be open for submission from valid professionals, registered facilities and businesses. Nominations open today, with independent auditors Deloitte overseeing the final decision-making process.
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner, to be held at Dubai’s Jumeirah Emirates Towers.
“The FIT awards are going to be a fantastic way to celebrate an extremely important sector for the UAE and encourage the quality of service to be continually raised,” FitnessLink co-founder Grant Goes said.
Submissions/nominations are accepted via the FIT Awards website at www.sport360.com/fitawards. They close on October 19, with up to six nominees from each category being shortlisted by the dedicated panel of judges.
Public voting will run from November 1 to December 1, with the winners being decided by a combination of the scores submitted by an expert panel of judges and the public vote.
“We see the awards as a fantastic platform to celebrate innovation and excellence from industry operators, suppliers and individuals,” Sport360° marketing and events manager Karalynn Thomson said.
All shortlisted finalists will be evaluated by the expert panel according to set judging criteria.
“We are excited to recognise and reward fitness professionals and establishments who embody the same passion and commitment as REPs UAE,” the body’s PR and marketing director Catherine Hanson said.
Submissions are free for individual entries, with business and facility submissions costing Dh550 (REPs members get 15% discount on entry fees and table bookings).