ukactive’s annual Flame Conference kicks off at the International Centre in Telford this morning (24 June) featuring a packed schedule of speakers and panel discussions. It will be followed this evening by the much-anticipated Flame Awards.

Horse racing legend AP McCoy is the headline speaker for the Flame Conference 2015 and he will be interviewed by the new ukactive chair Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who is also due to make a speech. Several other high-profile figures will address the audience – due to comprise 900 key stakeholders in the physical activity and leisure sector.

In addition to the speakers, Flame Conference 2015 has a programme of panels and breakout sessions that explore key topics from digital health and wearable technology to boutique activity trends, entrepreneurialism, corporate branding, activity holidays and beyond.

After the conference comes the ukactive and Matrix Flame Awards – a black tie event which honours excellence across the sector, with hundreds of nominees vying for the coveted accolades.

Following the success of last year’s rejigged format, there will again be 14 award categories to recognise facilities, suppliers, operators, educational institutes, health practitioners and large corporations, that have demonstrated exceptional standards.

Health Club Management will be on hand throughout Flame 2015, live reporting on the latest developments throughout the conference/awards ceremony and posting them straight to the Health Club Management website. Head of news Jak Phillips will also be tweeting from the event, follow him on Twitter by clicking here.