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 since 2015 he is President of IAKS worldwide. In 2017, he was appointed by Thomas Bach to the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission.
Dr Stefan Kannewischer, Switzerland
President
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 since 2015 he is President of IAKS worldwide. In 2017, he was appointed by Thomas Bach to the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission.
Tom is a Senior Principal in the London office of Populous and has a keen interest in how sports and entertainment buildings and events can enhance cities and communities. He has a great passion for sport and has been able to use this in the design and delivery of a number of high-profile projects around the world, including the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC and the Olympic Stadium for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He has also worked on other major sports events, including the ICC Cricket World Cup and NFL Super Bowl.
In addition to running major projects, Tom has co-authored the technical guide to Sports Facilities in the Metric Handbook and contributed to a series of international publications. He is a member of the IAKS Executive Board since 2017 and sits on the Sports Economy Sector Advisory Group for DIT (Department of Industry and Trade). He has also spoken at a range of conferences and events around the world on the sustainability of sports and entertainment buildings.
Tom Jones, United Kingdom
Vice President
BArch (Dist), BSc (Hons) Arch, UWCC, RIBA
Tom is a Senior Principal in the London office of Populous and has a keen interest in how sports and entertainment buildings and events can enhance cities and communities. He has a great passion for sport and has been able to use this in the design and delivery of a number of high-profile projects around the world, including the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC and the Olympic Stadium for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He has also worked on other major sports events, including the ICC Cricket World Cup and NFL Super Bowl.
In addition to running major projects, Tom has co-authored the technical guide to Sports Facilities in the Metric Handbook and contributed to a series of international publications. He is a member of the IAKS Executive Board since 2017 and sits on the Sports Economy Sector Advisory Group for DIT (Department of Industry and Trade). He has also spoken at a range of conferences and events around the world on the sustainability of sports and entertainment buildings.
Yvette works as Business Development Manager at Myrtha - Australia/ New Zealand. She has a diverse and extensive background in the sport and recreation industry. Over the last two decades she has worked in local government, non-profit, commercial and education sectors.
Yvette’s professional experiences include aquatic feasibility studies, open space and aquatic master planning as well as various sports strategies.
She is a member of Parks and Leisure Australia, Aquatic Recreation Institute NSW (previous board member), Austswim, Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW and Sports NSW, and of Venue Management Australia (VMA).
Yvette has been the Australia and New Zealand Ambassador for IAKS since May 2020
Yvette Audet, Australia
Vice President
Yvette works as Business Development Manager at Myrtha - Australia/ New Zealand. She has a diverse and extensive background in the sport and recreation industry. Over the last two decades she has worked in local government, non-profit, commercial and education sectors.
Yvette’s professional experiences include aquatic feasibility studies, open space and aquatic master planning as well as various sports strategies.
She is a member of Parks and Leisure Australia, Aquatic Recreation Institute NSW (previous board member), Austswim, Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW and Sports NSW, and of Venue Management Australia (VMA).
Yvette has been the Australia and New Zealand Ambassador for IAKS since May 2020
Managing Partner at HCMA Architecture + Design, Canada
In over 30 years of practice, Darryl has been responsible for the delivery of highly innovative and award-winning sports and recre-ation facilities across Canada, including the Curling Venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Currently he chairs the Infrastructure and Facilities Task Group of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association and is Past-Presi-dent of the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association.
Darryl is Past-President of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and chair of Future of Architecture Committee of the Ca-nadian Architectural Licensing Authorities.
He is an Adjunct Professor at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
Darryl Condon, Canada
Vice President
Managing Partner at HCMA Architecture + Design, Canada
In over 30 years of practice, Darryl has been responsible for the delivery of highly innovative and award-winning sports and recre-ation facilities across Canada, including the Curling Venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Currently he chairs the Infrastructure and Facilities Task Group of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association and is Past-Presi-dent of the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association.
Darryl is Past-President of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and chair of Future of Architecture Committee of the Ca-nadian Architectural Licensing Authorities.
He is an Adjunct Professor at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
As Head of Sports Facilities Holger manages the sports facilities in the Municipality of Gladsaxe which is located in the east of Denmark. Gladsaxe has about 70,000 inhabitants and stretches over 25 km².
Previously he has been a part of the team at The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities (LOA Fonden) working with innovation of the facilities for sports and leisure activities.
Holger is Vice President of the Danish Association for Sports Facilities bringing together owners, operators and managers of sports facilities in Denmark with the purpose of contributing to innovation in and the development and planning of sports facilities.
Since its founding in 2017, Holger sits on the board of IAKS Nordic.
Holger Kortbek, Denmark
Treasurer
As Head of Sports Facilities Holger manages the sports facilities in the Municipality of Gladsaxe which is located in the east of Denmark. Gladsaxe has about 70,000 inhabitants and stretches over 25 km².
Previously he has been a part of the team at The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities (LOA Fonden) working with innovation of the facilities for sports and leisure activities.
Holger is Vice President of the Danish Association for Sports Facilities bringing together owners, operators and managers of sports facilities in Denmark with the purpose of contributing to innovation in and the development and planning of sports facilities.
Since its founding in 2017, Holger sits on the board of IAKS Nordic.
In 1997, Klaus joined the IAKS headquarters in Cologne as a scientific staff member and was appointed IAKS Managing Director in 2003. In 2015, Klaus became IAKS Secretary General.
Klaus holds a diploma in landscape architecture after having visited universities in Hanover (Germany) and Tours (France) from 1988 to 1995. From 1995 to 1997, he was a technical officer at the German Association of Landscape Architects in Bonn and Berlin.
Besides his general tasks for IAKS, Klaus is responsible for the programming of the biannual IAKS Congresses as well as for the IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Prizes.
Klaus Meinel, Germany
Secretary General
In 1997, Klaus joined the IAKS headquarters in Cologne as a scientific staff member and was appointed IAKS Managing Director in 2003. In 2015, Klaus became IAKS Secretary General.
Klaus holds a diploma in landscape architecture after having visited universities in Hanover (Germany) and Tours (France) from 1988 to 1995. From 1995 to 1997, he was a technical officer at the German Association of Landscape Architects in Bonn and Berlin.
Besides his general tasks for IAKS, Klaus is responsible for the programming of the biannual IAKS Congresses as well as for the IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Prizes.
Benjamin Flowers is a Professor of Architecture and the Associate Director of the Knowlton School. Prior to joining the Knowlton School in 2019, Dr. Flowers was a Professor of Architecture in the College of Design at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Dr. Flowers’ research has been recognized by Columbia University’s Buell Center for Architecture, Cornell University’s John Nolen Fellowship, the Society of Architectural Historians, and the Hagley Museum and Library. He received his PhD from the University of Minnesota and his BA from Wesleyan University. Dr. Flowers grew up in Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Prof. PhD Benjamin Flowers, USA
Member
Benjamin Flowers is a Professor of Architecture and the Associate Director of the Knowlton School. Prior to joining the Knowlton School in 2019, Dr. Flowers was a Professor of Architecture in the College of Design at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Dr. Flowers’ research has been recognized by Columbia University’s Buell Center for Architecture, Cornell University’s John Nolen Fellowship, the Society of Architectural Historians, and the Hagley Museum and Library. He received his PhD from the University of Minnesota and his BA from Wesleyan University. Dr. Flowers grew up in Latin America and Eastern Europe.
As Head of PLAYPARC, Steffen manages a family owned company, designing and producing playground and outdoor fitness equip-ment for urban environments.
Steffen is member of the board of the German Association of leisure-equipment producers BSFH and chairman of a working group taking care of developments in outdoor fitness.
He is Vice-chairman of a steering group and member and chairman of several working groups within DIN-NASport.
As chairman of CEN/TC136 Steffen is taking care of standardization around sport and leisure facilities in Europe.
He is German delegate within ISO/TC83 which is taking care of standardization around sport and leisure facilities worldwide.
Steffen Strasser, Germany
Member
Owner and General Manager of PLAY-PARC, Germany
As Head of PLAYPARC, Steffen manages a family owned company, designing and producing playground and outdoor fitness equip-ment for urban environments.
Steffen is member of the board of the German Association of leisure-equipment producers BSFH and chairman of a working group taking care of developments in outdoor fitness.
He is Vice-chairman of a steering group and member and chairman of several working groups within DIN-NASport.
As chairman of CEN/TC136 Steffen is taking care of standardization around sport and leisure facilities in Europe.
He is German delegate within ISO/TC83 which is taking care of standardization around sport and leisure facilities worldwide.
Prof Dr Robin Kähler works throughout Germany as a consultant, specialising in urban and regional development projects focusing specifically on sports, exercise, leisure and health development inclusive of the associated control, coordination and management tasks. He is a retired university lecturer and President of IAKS Germany.
Prof. Dr Robin Kähler, Germany
President of IAKS Germany
Prof Dr Robin Kähler works throughout Germany as a consultant, specialising in urban and regional development projects focusing specifically on sports, exercise, leisure and health development inclusive of the associated control, coordination and management tasks. He is a retired university lecturer and President of IAKS Germany.
Roger Gut is the owner of maj Architekten in Berne, Switzerland, an architectural office specialising in schools and sports facility planning. Since 1976, Roger has been involved in many building projects for sports facilities, and mainly for sports halls, outdoor sports facilities and football pitches. Since 2016, he has been President of IAKS Switzerland.
Roger Gut, Switzerland
President of IAKS Switzerland
Roger Gut is the owner of maj Architekten in Berne, Switzerland, an architectural office specialising in schools and sports facility planning. Since 1976, Roger has been involved in many building projects for sports facilities, and mainly for sports halls, outdoor sports facilities and football pitches. Since 2016, he has been President of IAKS Switzerland.
Harald Fux specialises in indoor and outdoor sports facilities as well as stadiums and gathering spaces. The CEO of the Vienna based architecture firm Raumkunst is President of IAKS Austria and member of the UIA Sports and Leisure work program and Expert Member for Sports Facilities Construction at the Austrian Standards Institute.
Harald Fux, Austria
President of IAKS Austria
Harald Fux specialises in indoor and outdoor sports facilities as well as stadiums and gathering spaces. The CEO of the Vienna based architecture firm Raumkunst is President of IAKS Austria and member of the UIA Sports and Leisure work program and Expert Member for Sports Facilities Construction at the Austrian Standards Institute.
Marcin is CEO of the Arena Gliwice, the state-of-the-art multifunctional venue, being the second largest indoor arena in Poland.
Having vast experience in the management of megaprojects and large events, he has extensive knowledge of the leisure industry as he has been involved in various private and public projects. From 2008-2012, he managed PL.2012 and acted as chief coordinator and organizer of the Polish preparations for UEFA Euro 2012, and in January 2013 took over responsibilities as CEO of the company managing the National Stadium in Warsaw. From 2012-2016 Marcin worked as the Deputy Director of the Polish Handball Federation, being responsible for the preparations of the EHF EURO 2016.
Prior to embarking on the EURO 2012 project, Marcin had spent 13 years in the fuel industry. He worked as the Chairman of Lotos Group’s largest subsidiary and broadened his experience working at Shell Global Solutions on numerous international projects in the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia and the United Kingdom. He completed legal and MBA studies.
Marcin Herra, Poland
President of IAKS Poland
Marcin is CEO of the Arena Gliwice, the state-of-the-art multifunctional venue, being the second largest indoor arena in Poland.
Having vast experience in the management of megaprojects and large events, he has extensive knowledge of the leisure industry as he has been involved in various private and public projects. From 2008-2012, he managed PL.2012 and acted as chief coordinator and organizer of the Polish preparations for UEFA Euro 2012, and in January 2013 took over responsibilities as CEO of the company managing the National Stadium in Warsaw. From 2012-2016 Marcin worked as the Deputy Director of the Polish Handball Federation, being responsible for the preparations of the EHF EURO 2016.
Prior to embarking on the EURO 2012 project, Marcin had spent 13 years in the fuel industry. He worked as the Chairman of Lotos Group’s largest subsidiary and broadened his experience working at Shell Global Solutions on numerous international projects in the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia and the United Kingdom. He completed legal and MBA studies.
Agency Manager for Active Lives at the City of Fredrikstad, Norway. His department is responsible for overall strategic planning and development, and facility construction. The goal is to enable citizens to engage in organized and self-organized sports, outdoor activities, daily physical activity and urban active living. The department manages public fundings and initiates programmes in accordance to overall strategic goals. The City of Fredrikstad has initiated a national pilot project on how the public sector - as a health preventive tool - can build longterm structures based on the citizens‘ opportunities to be more active. The programme was established in 2020, based upon the Global Action Plan on Physical activity 2018–2030 by WHO. Before joining the City of Fredrikstad in 2012, André has worked as university and high school lecturer and leader in sports and physical education.
He has been a member of the IAKS Nordic board since 2019. He sits on the board of Fredrikstad Elite (United Association formed by three elite teams in soccer, ice-hockey and handball in the City of Fredrikstad) and Olympiatoppen Region Østlandet (The organisation is part of Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports with responsibility for training Norwegian elite sport).
André Flatner, Norway
President of IAKS Nordic
Agency Manager for Active Lives at the City of Fredrikstad, Norway. His department is responsible for overall strategic planning and development, and facility construction. The goal is to enable citizens to engage in organized and self-organized sports, outdoor activities, daily physical activity and urban active living. The department manages public fundings and initiates programmes in accordance to overall strategic goals. The City of Fredrikstad has initiated a national pilot project on how the public sector - as a health preventive tool - can build longterm structures based on the citizens‘ opportunities to be more active. The programme was established in 2020, based upon the Global Action Plan on Physical activity 2018–2030 by WHO. Before joining the City of Fredrikstad in 2012, André has worked as university and high school lecturer and leader in sports and physical education.
He has been a member of the IAKS Nordic board since 2019. He sits on the board of Fredrikstad Elite (United Association formed by three elite teams in soccer, ice-hockey and handball in the City of Fredrikstad) and Olympiatoppen Region Østlandet (The organisation is part of Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports with responsibility for training Norwegian elite sport).
Jesús del Barrio Díez graduated as an architect from ETSA Madrid in 1980 and worked as a freelance architect and in collaboration with engineers until 1985. He worked as an architect for the Treasury by open competition and developed his work in the DG of Cadastre.
In 1989 he was appointed Deputy Director of Sports Infrastructures of the Consejo Superior de Deportes. Initiating the construction of the CAR Sports, Sports Construction Plan for schoolchildren and neighbours, University Sports Facilities Plan, Subsidies for sports facilities for international events.
Jesús del Barrio Díez, Spain
President of IAKS Spain
Jesús del Barrio Díez graduated as an architect from ETSA Madrid in 1980 and worked as a freelance architect and in collaboration with engineers until 1985. He worked as an architect for the Treasury by open competition and developed his work in the DG of Cadastre.
In 1989 he was appointed Deputy Director of Sports Infrastructures of the Consejo Superior de Deportes. Initiating the construction of the CAR Sports, Sports Construction Plan for schoolchildren and neighbours, University Sports Facilities Plan, Subsidies for sports facilities for international events.
