The 123 representatives present from 43 full members and 45 supporting members demonstrated a great deal of confidence in the association at the 2026 General Meeting. At the meeting, held as part of INTERBAD 2026, all resolutions were passed unanimously, including the membership fee adjustment. It was the first genuine membership fee adjustment since the EWA was founded in 1989. “Our aim has always been to use the funds entrusted to us as directly as possible for the benefit of our members. For knowledge transfer. For networking. For innovation. For advocacy. For the future of our industry,” said Treasurer Harald Gabriel, successfully making the case for this necessary step.
At the start of her report, President Jutta Kleiber, together with Vice-President Harald Gabriel, honoured long-standing members. The following were recognised for 20 years’ membership: Bäderland Hamburg with the Holthusenbad, EWV Elektronik-Wartung-Vertrieb-GmbH, Magic Box e.K. Special Events and Duftregie, Schunk Interieur GmbH, Thomas Voigt e.K. – Ihr Bäderpartner, KaGo & Hammerschmidt GmbH and ESCH-Objektkonzepte e.K. The following were honoured for 30 years’ membership: Kur- und Freizeitbad Riff Bad Lausick, Monte mare Reichshof and Monte mare Betriebsgesellschaft Rengsdorf.
The President highlighted the 10th International EWA Congress in Mainz – with record attendance, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, and the EWA Awards – as this year’s key event. She reported on face-to-face seminars, webinars and online training courses on current industry issues. Other key areas of the association’s ongoing work have included and continue to include the establishment of the EWA Young Professionals Circle for members aged 40 and under, the new brand identity, international member recruitment via “Share.Connect.Benefit”, the new website planned for the turn of the year, and cross-sector advocacy through the “Die Freizeitwirtschaft” alliance. At the end of her report, Jutta Kleiber thanked the volunteers, particularly the Executive Board and the Advisory Board of supporting members, led by spokesperson Simon Kellerhoff. She invited all members present to take part in the “Share.Connect.Benefit” campaign and thus make the most of their chance to receive an invitation to a networking event at Spreewelten Lübbenau.
Looking ahead to the events in 2027, Managing Director Dr Klaus Batz drew particular attention to the first “Summer Summit”, which will take place from 20 to 22 June 2027 at Europa-Park in Rust. The “Summer Summit” replaces the previous summer meeting and complements visits to best-practice facilities with joint workshops, keynote speeches and networking opportunities.
The full minutes of the meeting will be sent to members by email.