An inspiring mix of seminars, building visits and socializing events

DGI Byen

© DGI Byen

How can public pools remain accessible, efficient and high-performing in disruptive times? Join operators, owners, municipalities, consultants, architects, engineers and industry partners in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 28 October to explore forward-looking strategies and fresh ideas for the future of public aquatic facilities. Meet members from the IAKS Pools Expert Circle who will share latest findings and international best practice.

The conference will explore Copenhagen’s strategic approach to the provision of public swimming facilities, innovative architecture and modular construction, universal and inclusive design, successful operation models, low-energy and energy-efficient pool operations, and ways to improve the performance of existing sports centres. It will also address how public pools can attract young people as a user group and explore the opportunities offered by new digital technologies.

On the afternoon of 27 October, participants will have the opportunity to visit Copenhagen’s aquatic facilities, including the recently renovated pool at DGI Byen in the heart of the city.

Mark your calendar and be part of the conversation shaping the future of public pools.

Programme

Location: CPH Conference | DGI Byen

26 - 27 October 2026 in Copenhagen

Tuesday 27 October 2026: Visit of Copenhagen swimming pools

14:00Facility visits of Copenhagen’s aquatic facilities, including the recently renovated pool at DGI Byen, guided by architect and operator
18:00Hotel check-in 
19:00 Networking dinner

Wednesday 28 October 2026: IAKS Pools Conference

Moderator:   Dr Stefan Kannewischer

09:00Registration & welcome coffee
09:30Opening
09:45Strategy: Provision of public swimming facilities – the Copenhagen approach
Jacob Christian Schrøder
10:15Architecture: Water Culture House: The evolution of swimming in Copenhagen and how Water Culture House fits in
10:45Coffee break
11:15Owners and operators: Recommendations for low-energy operations
Taio Waldhaus
11:45Engineers and consultants: Energy-efficient pools – a methodology for benchmarking
Mike Hall
12:15Operators and engineers: Opportunities and challenges of improving the performance of existing sports centres
Mark Palmer
12:45Lunch break
13:45Futurist issue: Brand new inspiration to attract young people to public pools
Jakob Færch
14:15Universal Design: The Ripple Effect – an inspiration catalogue for inclusive and accessible aquatic facility design
Melissa Higgs, Jens Oyas Moller
14:45Coffee break
15:15Operators: Digitalization in pools – overview of new technologies
Thomas Meier
15:45Architecture: The first modular and pre-build pool – pool out of the box in Stuttgart
Ernst Ulrich Tillmanns
16:15Wrap-up and outlook
16:30End of conference

Secure your front-row seat

attendance fee
 early bird (until 20 Sept)standard
IAKS membersEUR 395EUR 495
Others (public sector and NPOs)EUR 495EUR 620
Others (private sector)EUR 595EUR 745
StudentsEUR 125EUR 125
Dinner on 27 OctoberEUR 75EUR 75

 

Free cancellation until 11 October 2026. After that, we charge a 50% cancellation fee. All prices are including VAT.

Student discount apply to full-time students (certificate of matriculation must be provided).

Registration open until 20 October 2026.

Meet the speakers

Jakob Faerch

Jakob Færch, (Lokale og Anlægsfonden / The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities)

Jakob is an experienced innovative development consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the architecture & planning industry in Denmark, Greenland and Faroe Islands. Skilled in Coaching, Urban Planning, Event Management, Major Events, and Comprehensive Planning. Strong community and social services professional graduated from University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Coaching Center, Copenhagen Business School and Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies.
Mike Hall_portrait pic

Mike Hall (Partner, FaulknerBrowns Architects)

Mike is a Partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects and leads their work in the sport and leisure sector, both nationally and internationally. From his experience working closely with sports governing bodies such as FINA, UCI, IAAF and ICF, Mike has extensive knowledge of the requirements for sports facilities and is passionate about the importance of active infrastructure in our towns and cities. He sits on the IAKS International Expert Aquatics Circle and is also a representative of the International Union of Architects.
Melissa Higgs

Melissa Higgs (hcma)

Melissa is passionate about creating innovative public buildings where communities come together, and is a believer in the power of architecture and design as a catalyst for positive change in the world. As a Principal at HCMA Architecture + Design, she works closely with clients and project teams to find creative solutions to unique design challenges. Her focus has been on designing arts and culture projects and community recreation facilities, including the award-winning Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre, as well as creating long-range vision plans. Melissa believes that true collaboration and cross-disciplinary design has the power to improve creative outcomes across all project types and scales, and as such, plays a key role in managing and developing our +Design services.
Stefan Kannewischer

Dr Stefan Kannewischer (Kannewischer Holding AG)

After completing his MBA and Ph.D. in economic sciences at University St.Gallen (Switzerland), Dr. Stefan Kannewischer has worked for four years at strategy consultants Bain & Company in Zurich, Munich and London. In 2001, he became Managing Director of the Swiss family business Kannewischer Management AG that is since 1972 a specialist in consulting, technical design and operations of public swimming pools and thermal spas. Kannewischer Collection operates six thermal spas in Germany. Stefan became President of IAKS Switzerland in 2009 and from 2015 until 2025 he was President of IAKS worldwide. In 2017, he was appointed by Thomas Bach to the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission.
Thomas Meier

Thomas Meier (GMF GmbH & Co. KG)

Thomas has been with GMF since 2002, initially working as a project manager and later as a sales and project manager before becoming Managing Director in 2019. He studied sports management, teaching and business law and holds a Master’s degree in business law (LL.M.). Meier is also a member of the IAKS Pool Expert Circle.
jens øyås møller oyas

Jens Øyås Møller (Lokale og Anlægsfonden / The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities)

Jens is a Development Consultant at Lokale og Anlægsfonden (The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities), where he works on the development of innovative facilities and environments for sports, recreation and outdoor activities. His expertise focuses particularly on active outdoor living, nature-based recreation and creating accessible, attractive spaces that encourage people to be active and engage with their surroundings. He has contributed to the development of projects and initiatives ranging from trail centres and outdoor facilities to water-based recreation and inclusive sports environments.

Hotel recommendations

Axel Guldsmeden Copenhagen

© Axel Guldsmeden

Book at Guldsmeden

Hotel Axel Guldsmeden
Colbjornsensgade 14
1652 Copenhagen
guldsmedenhotels.com
axelbooking@guldsmedenhotels.com

 

The code ‘IAKS pools conf’ is valid for reservations at Axel Guldsmeden in the period 26- 29 October 2026 and gives 10% discount from the standard rates and standard rates with breakfast.
Prices are dynamic and therefore might change according to availability as well.
The code is valid until latest the 24th October.

Guests can use the code for direct reservation at the website (https://guldsmedenhotels.com/). After choosing the desired type of room, and after clicking on “book now” it will be possible to add the code.

Hotel CitizenM Copenhagen

© citizenM

Book at citizenM

citizenM Copenhagen
Radhuspladsen 
H. C. Andersens Blvd. 12
1553 Copenhagen

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cphrp-citizenm-copenhagen-radhusp…

 

Group rate: DKK 1,359 per night (applicable 27-29 October 2026)

Hotel Sct. Thomas Copenhagen

© Sct. Thomas

Book at Sct. Thomas

HOTEL Sct. THOMAS 
Frederiksberg Allé 7 
1621 Copenhagen V
(+45) 3321 6464 

www.hotelsctthomas.dk

promotion code: OCTOBER2026 

Code is valid only from 25-30 October.

 

Wakeup

© wakeupcopenhagen.dk

Book at Wakeup Copenhagen --- tbc

Wakeup Copenhagen - Bernstorffsgade
Bernstorffsgade 35
DK-1577 Copenhagen V
www.wakeupcopenhagen.dk         

 

Please note that there are 3 'Wakeup Copenhagen' hotels in Copenhagen. Please may sure to select Wakeup Copenhagen - Bernstorffsgade

The booking link offers 10% discount incl. breakfast and 30 days cancellation policy.
Guests are kindly asked to book and guarantee with their credit card through the link to get the discount.

Thanks to our partners

loa-fonden logo 0972.png

55.669611189606, 12.563673455906

27.10.2026 14:00 – 28.10.2026 17:00 (UTC, UTC+00:00)
DGI Byen CPH Conference
Denmark
Event language: English
Organizer: IAKS international

Contact

Silke Baltzer square

Silke Baltzer

Event and membership management
+49 (0) 221 168023-11
baltzer@iaks.sport