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.

Join the conversation shaping the future of public pools.

Register as early bird

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 395 (DKK 2950)EUR 495 (DKK 3700)
Others (public sector and NPOs)EUR 495 (DKK 3700)EUR 620 (DKK 4635)
Others (private sector)EUR 595 (DKK 4450)EUR 745 (DKK 5570)
StudentsEUR 125 (DKK 935)EUR 125 (DKK 935)
Dinner on 27 OctoberEUR 75 (DKK 560)EUR 75 (DKK 560)

 

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.

Secure your place

Meet the speakers

Jakob Faerch

Jakob Færch, (LOA - 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 (FaulknerBrowns Architects)

Mike leads FaulknerBrowns’ sport work. This includes elite, competition and training venues as well as community sport and leisure projects for public and private sector clients, in the UK, Europe and beyond. 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. He has developed a particular specialism in velodromes, bringing innovation to this building typology internationally, along with aquatics centres and ice facilities. 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 architecture + design)

Melissa is passionate about creating innovative public buildings where communities come together. She is a firm believer in the power of architecture and design to act as catalysts for positive change in the world. Her focus has been designing recreation facilities and arts and culture projects, including the award-winning West Vancouver Community Centre, Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in Surrey, BC, and the award-winning Clayton Community Centre — the first Passive House community centre in North America. She is also experienced with long-range vision plans that help shape our cities, including Granville Island 2040, OnWater, Vancouver’s non-motorized boating strategy, and VanSplash, the City’s aquatic strategy.
Stefan Kannewischer

Dr Stefan Kannewischer (Kannewischer Holding)

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.
Thomas Meier

Thomas Meier (GMF)

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.). Thomas is member of the IAKS Pool Expert Circle.
jens øyås møller oyas

Jens Øyås Møller (LOA - 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. He has a master´s degree in physical education & health science, and he has worked with development of facilities for many years in different jobs, both on strategic and practical level. He's also a member of the IAKS Pools Expert Circle.
Mark Palmer

Mark Palmer (Max Fordham)

Mark is Director of Engineering and Sports Sector Leader at Max Fordham, with extensive experience in the design and performance of sustainable sports and leisure facilities. His work includes major aquatic and sports projects such as the London 2012 Olympic Water Polo Arena, Oriam Scotland’s National Performance Centre and the ultra-low-energy Ravelin Sports Centre. As an active contributor to the IAKS network, Mark has participated in IAKS events and expert activities focused on energy efficiency, sustainability and building performance in sports and swimming facilities. He is a member of the IAKS Pool Expert Circle.
Jacob Christian Schroder

Jacob Christian Schrøder (Municipality of Copenhagen)

Ernst Ulrich Tillmanns

Ernst-Ulrich Tillmanns (4a architects)

Ernst-Ulrich Tillmanns founded 4a Architekten in 1990 after having worked for five years with Behnisch and Partners. 4a Architekten are an international architectural practice with main office in Stuttgart. They focus on planning, constructing and rehabilitating buildings in the public sector. During the last 25 years, 4a Architekten have realized numerous leisure and thermal pools, sports and health-oriented buildings, cultural and educational facilities as well as hotels. Ernst-Ulrich gives lectures home and abroad at conferences and other occasions.
Taio Waldhaus

Taio Waldhaus (North 48 Engineering)

Taio is a professional engineer specialising in mechanical engineering, energy efficiency and aquatic facility design. With more than 10 years of engineering experience, he has contributed to over 40 recreation and pool projects, with a particular focus on high-performance mechanical systems and sustainable aquatic facilities. His expertise includes HVAC controls, heat recovery, energy modelling and low-carbon solutions for swimming pools and recreation centres. Taio has contributed to major aquatic projects including the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre in New Westminster, one of Canada’s leading zero-carbon aquatic facilities.

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 (EUR 182) 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

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.

The rates are valid  from 27 – 29th of October 2026. The number of nights can be adjusted (1 or 2 nights).

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