OPTIMA Europe Fitness Conference
LEARN FROM THE GREATEST IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY
2 days | 350 attendees | live stream
- 27th to 28th of March
- Belgrade, Serbia
Professional trainers and experts from all over the world will share their knowledge and experience with you.
You will receive 1,9 CEUs for attendance at live lectures and workshops at Optima Fitness Conference.
Welcome to Optima 2026 — the premier international fitness conference. In a world driven by new technology and fast-moving trends, one thing never changes: the power of real connection, meaningful conversations, and learning from people who share your passion.
This is the fourth time Optima is coming to this part of Europe, and it’s bringing you an experience that reshapes the way you learn, think, and coach your clients. Our mission is to elevate the way fitness professionals train, teach, and build their businesses by giving you access to cutting-edge methods, global experts, and the newest insights in fitness, sport science, nutrition, and marketing. This is the place where what you learn can be applied the very next day — and where you’ll meet people who understand your work, your drive, and your commitment to growth. We believe it’s our responsibility to deliver the highest level of education so you can continue to grow both personally and professionally. The industry is changing fast — and you are the one who can help lead that change.
You’ll learn from university professors, master trainers, nutrition specialists, and marketing professionals. Alongside top regional educators, we’re welcoming speakers from the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and across Europe — all bringing real-world expertise you can immediately put into practice.
Optima runs across two full days and includes 48 hands-on sessions. Four sessions run simultaneously, giving you the flexibility to choose exactly what you want to attend.
And don’t worry about missing anything — every session is recorded and uploaded to our digital platform, so you can revisit the content or catch up on anything you couldn’t see live. You’ll have access for an additional three months after the event.
See you at Optima 2026 — where the future of fitness comes together.
Staying ahead in the fitness industry can feel impossible without the right tools and the right people around you.
The Optima Conference bridges that gap — connecting real challenges with real solutions by bringing you face-to-face with global experts, leading brands, and proven, practical strategies you can put to work immediately.
The fitness industry is evolving at an unbelievable pace. Every year brings new trends, new tech, and new methods that promise better results — and it’s no surprise that many coaches and professionals end up feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck.
How do you know which strategies actually work? Which innovations are worth your time? And what should you adopt to elevate your services and stay competitive?
The Optima Conference understands these challenges — and delivers a real solution. In one place, you’ll get everything you need to regain clarity and control: the latest research-backed insights, practical strategies you can apply immediately, and direct access to industry leaders who are shaping the future of fitness. This isn’t just a learning experience. It’s a chance to connect with a community of professionals who share your challenges, your passion, and your drive to grow. Together, we can overcome obstacles, elevate your expertise, and transform the way you run your business.
“Join industry leaders and discover how to elevate your business starting today.”
Optima is the international fitness conference that brings together top professionals from every corner of the industry: all in one place.
It’s your chance to connect with leading experts, hear fresh insights, and learn directly from presenters coming from the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Portugal, and across the region.
You’ll have access to 48 high-impact workshops, packed with practical strategies for training, nutrition, and performance programming, whether you work with general population clients or competitive athletes.
These are real-world solutions you can implement the moment you return to your clients.
In addition to fitness and wellness content, you’ll get specialized sessions on sales, marketing, and business strategy designed specifically for the fitness industry. Expect clear, actionable guidance on how to improve your marketing, boost conversions, and run your business more effectively.
Be Part of a Community That Elevates You! his is where we come together to exchange ideas, expand our perspective, and recharge with new energy.
You’ll leave inspired, motivated, and equipped with knowledge you can apply immediately.
This conference is not for those who believe they already know everything, or for those who see education as an expense instead of an investment.
This conference is for professionals who consistently invest in their growth — people who understand that the knowledge they gain here will pay off many times over.
In an industry that never stops changing, keeping up with new trends, technologies, and research can feel overwhelming.
Clients now expect personalized programs, updated methods, and approaches that deliver fast, sustainable results. Without the right tools and up-to-date knowledge, it’s easy to experience a drop in client confidence, lose motivation, or feel your career starting to stall.
Missing the chance to learn from top experts and connect with industry leaders can leave you falling behind your competition. Your clients may start looking elsewhere for guidance and support, and you may find yourself struggling to stay motivated or inspired to grow. It doesn’t have to be your story, but the reality is that many professionals feel exactly this way.
The Optima Conference gives you everything you need to stay ahead of the competition. In one place, you’ll gain access to the latest research, practical solutions, and personalized strategies you can implement right away. Here, you’ll discover ideas and connections that help you elevate your skills, your services, and your professional reputation.
But it’s not just about knowledge, it’s about inspiration. This conference brings together a community of experts in fitness, sports performance, nutrition, and marketing, all ready to share their experiences and help you reach your goals.
Installment payments available. Limited availability.
Belgrade is a city that never sleeps. A city of entertainment and culture, which you cannot remain indifferent to. A place where people eat well and have fun.
The conference is held in the heart of the old town. Nearby there are: the main pedestrian zone, Knez Mihajlova Street, lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and is a great place for a nice walk and shopping, then Kalemegdan- the fortress with a huge park which is full of monuments, museums – a place with fantastic views of rivers and the rest of our capital.
The event will be held at the Mona Plaza Hotel.
If you decide to stay at this hotel, you must state at the time of booking that you are a participant in the Optima Conference event and will receive a discount. Booking mail: reservations@monaplaza.com
The Optima Fitness Conference is the event that brings the entire fitness industry together in one place. It is the proud winner of the 2021 International Gold Stevie Award for Best Educational Conference.
On March 27–28, 2026, Optima returns to Europe for the second time, hosted by HFS Academy.
The conference will be held on March 27–28, 2026, at the Mona Plaza Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia.
This event has been organized for 10 consecutive years, and last year it attracted more than 10,000 participants.
In March, it will be held in Europe for the fourth time.
The event will bring together: personal trainers, corrective exercise specialists, certified nutrition coaches, strength & conditioning coaches, group fitness instructors, master trainers, athletes, fitness club managers, supplement companies, and fitness enthusiasts from all over.
Participants must be 18 years or older to attend the conference.
The Early Bird price for attending the conference in person is €199 and is available until the end of December.
The regular in-person ticket price after the Early Bird period is €299.
The Early Bird price for online access is €99, while the regular online ticket price is €149.
Installment payments (two installments) are available.
The in-person ticket includes:
Full access to the 2-day event
Lunch on both days
Refreshments throughout the conference (water and coffee)
Simultaneous translation for all English-language sessions
Entry to the Friday night after-party
Three months of online access to all recorded sessions after the conference
A certificate worth 1.9 CEUs
Credits for renewing your national fitness license
The online ticket includes:
Live online access to all lectures and workshops
Three months of online access to all recorded sessions after the conference
A certificate worth 1.9 CEUs
Credits for renewing your national fitness license
You can pay directly through the website using your Visa or Mastercard, via PayPal (office@hfs.rs), or by bank transfer/payment slip.
Installment payment (two installments) is also available.
Our speakers include university professors, master trainers, nutrition experts, and marketing professionals.
You can explore all topics and presenters on our Program page for a full overview of what’s coming up at the conference.
For any registration-related questions, feel free to reach out to us at office@hfs.rs.
Accommodation is not included, so you can choose any hotel or apartment that suits you.
You may stay at the event venue — Mona Plaza Hotel — or select any other accommodation of your choice.
If you decide to stay at Mona Plaza, simply mention that you are an Optima Conference participant when booking, and you’ll receive a discounted rate.
For reservations, contact: reservations@monaplaza.com
Professional fitness consultant
Lorem ipsum
NASM Master Trainer;
Nişantaşı University, Head of Exercise and Sports SciencesDepartment;
Turkish Wrestling Federation, Head of Physical Performance;
AthleticHouse,founding partner/ CEO;AthleticHouse Academy, Master Instructor;
APAD-Asssociation for Athletic Performance Coaches, founder /chairman;
Türker Bıyıklı, has been training athletes to reach peak performance and also educating professionals in exercise and sports coaching. He has more than 20 years of experience in fitness and health industry as a trainer, manager and consultant. In 2006, he completed his PhD studies in the Institute of Health Sciences, with a thesis in Sports Health. He is currently studying to get his second master’s degree; this time in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. He is a senior lecturer since 2013. He has taught and held executive positions in the School of Physical Education and Sports, first in Gelişim University and now in Nişantaşı University. As well as being a NASM Master Trainer, he holds many international qualifications such as UKSCA Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach; EREPS Member as Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist; NATA Athletic Trainer; AFAA-Group Fitness Instructor and UEFA-A Licensed Soccer Coach. He is certified in general massage and rehabilitation; and as Pilates, win Cycle, Kinesis, Axis of Life, Functional Fitness and Life Kinetik instructor. He has held a number of management positions as sports director, general manager, consultant and executive board member in prominent health clubs in Istanbul. He has executed performance training camps for professional athletes and performed as sports performance consultant and strength and conditioning coach to many teams. Currently he is head of physical performance for the Turkish National Wrestling Team who have returned from the World Championships Belgrade with four gold and 3 bronze medals.
Coach, motivator, athlete.
Over 20 years in professional combat sports. As an amateur athlete, he won medals at the Balkan, European and world championships. He fought professionally for 10 years in the Czech Republic as one of their athletes and for two years in the Netherlands.
Trainer since 2012. Founder of the Ronin-Carnage Striking System, one of the most recognizable fighting styles from this region, and owner of the largest Serbian martial arts franchise, Ronin-Carnage Global. Trained many professional champions, organized 15 international Striking Camps, which are one of the largest in Europe. Also known for his charity organization “Budi Heroj” where he collected large funds for children with disabilities.
Topics: Motivation in sport, Ronin-Carnage Assault Training system
48 predavanja i radionica koje će te oboriti sa nogu! U svetu fitnesa se dešavaju konstantno promene. Saznaj šta je trenutno najnovije. Kroz praktičan rad, na licu mesta isprobaj treninge i vežbe
Founder and CEO of the Belgrade School of Animators BSA
Assistant principal and proffesor at College of sport and Health, Belgrade.
In 2006, he completed his PhD at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade. He is a team leader for over 25 years in various teams of up to 30 people from all over Europe in the territory of Greece, Serbia, Montenegro etc, and also a team leader in organization of children’s festivals and camps where more than 500 children from all cultures and nations take part. For many years, he has been working as a coordinator and organizer of children’s festivals, recreational and communication camps for children and adults, and various competitions. He managed sports clubs, associations for recreational animation and team building, organized classes at the College of Sport and Health, on the subjects of sport and tourism, and tourism-pedagogical practice. He has a large number of published scientific papers and books. He has also been invited at many seminars and lecturing as key note speaker.
Ceu credits and extension of the national license! If you need to renew your NASM certificate or extend
national license, this is an ideal opportunity to collect points.
Licensed IDBB operational trainer and manager in sports
Lorem ipsum
48 lectures and workshops that will knock you off your feet! The world of fitness is constantly changing. Find out what’s latest right now. Through practical work, try trainings and exercises on the spot
Follow the event live or online! You choose whether you want to come to the conference or follow the conference from
houses.
32
lecturer and master trainer! Get to know each other, ask a direct question,
exchange contacts!
Access to lectures online after the conference! In order not to miss any important information, three
month after the conference, you will be able to access recordings of lectures and trainings.
THERAGUN master trener i THERABODY edukator
Owner of City Fitness clubs from Belgrade.
Author of the book “FITNESS ENTREPRENEUR”
Milan graduated from the academic studies of the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education of the University of Belgrade, where he earned the title of professor of sports. He continued his postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education in Novi Sad, earning the title of Master of Sports and Physical Education. Expert contributor to the magazines Lepota & Zdravlje, Mens Health, as well as the internet portal B92 for texts in the field of fitness. According to the decision of the Association for Recreation and Fitness of Serbia, he was declared the best fitness trainer in Serbia for 2014.
Founder of the recreation club, personal trainer and group fitness instructor.
She is the founder of the recreation club “Mia Fit”, which is located in two locations in Belgrade. She graduated from the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education in 2004. For 23 years, she has been working as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and instructor of various group fitness programs such as: Tag, Pilates, Fit-box, Step, Workout, Hi-low, Tae-bo. She is the author of many articles in the fields of fitness, healthy eating, recreation and healthy living.
As an educator and presenter through various shows, she contributed to the popularization of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She participated in numerous fitness conferences and seminars, and is the holder of a large number of certificates: workout – preventive-corrective program, functional training with choreography in aerobics and step aerobics, hi-low choreography, stretching and proprioception exercises, technique and methodology of tae-bo aerobics, proprio- plio workout and functional body workout. By developing the fitness industry, supporting a healthy lifestyle, pointing out the advantages and benefits of regular physical activity, she is one of the leading and well-known faces of fitness in our region and beyond.
Professor. Dusan Mitic, PhD, Born in 1956.
Faculty of Sport and Physical Education University of Belgrade, Department for Recreation
President of Election Council of Social Sciences in University of Belgrade
In addition to the parent, he works as a Faculty lecturer for recreational, fitness, animation and sports tourism on several domestic and foreign universities.
Particularly interested in modeling incitement to physical activity, motivation, and promotion of physical activity and healty life style. Together with the students working on generating and testing new models to encourage and monitor the effects of physical activity.
Developer of
o AEROBIC FESTIVAL 1996-2002
o Aerobic Happening 2003-2021
Co-Developer of BSA-Belgrade School for Animation in Tourism
Vice-president Sport for All Serbia
Member TAFISA Europe Steering Committee
President Association of Expert of Recreation of Belgrade
Member of Team for Developing Strategy of Sport in Serbia
Topics: Developing sense of belonging to a fitness club
