The Sports Summit, CPO and the City of Hamburg

The Sports, Medicine and Health Summit (SMHS) has been held in Hamburg every two years since 2021, organised and hosted by CPO HANSER SERVICE in close cooperation with the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP).

The SMHS sees itself as an interdisciplinary platform where experts from sports, medicine, science and politics come together to generate new initiatives for promoting physical activity. A central concern is the stronger integration of exercise into everyday medical practice – for example, through initiatives like ‘Bewegung auf Rezept,’ where doctors can prescribe specific exercise programmes.

In addition to its congress activities, the Summit also serves as a platform for political advocacy. One key focus is the structural strengthening of physical activity counselling. A broad alliance of twenty-four organisations from the fields of sports, medicine and science is dedicated to more firmly embedding the preventive benefits of exercise within the healthcare system and mobilising the necessary political support.

The city of Hamburg plays an active role in the implementation and support of the SMHS and is specifically committed to connecting health and urban life. As an internationally recognised Global Active City, Hamburg supports the Summit with various measures:

• Support through the Hamburg Active City Initiative
  The city also supports the SMHS through the Hamburg Active City Initiative, which provides additional funding for public relations and marketing – including social media activities, poster campaigns across the city and targeted communication measures. Hamburg is one of only six cities worldwide authorised to carry the Global Active City label.
• Political support and patronage
  The First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Dr Peter Tschentscher, will once again assume the patronage for the SMHS 2025. This underlines the close linkage between the Senate, the Hamburg Active City Initiative and the Summit.
• Strengthening the ‘Bewegung auf Rezept’ initiative
  In cooperation with the SMHS, the Hamburg Ministry of the Interior organised an interdisciplinary meeting in 2023, bringing together over thirty experts from more than twenty institutions. The goal was to further develop the ‘Bewegung auf Rezept’ model, promote the medical prescription of exercise and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
• International cooperation at the Global Alliance Day
  In 2023, the Summit hosted the Global Alliance Day, an event of the European Initiative for Exercise in Medicine (EIEIM). International organisations such as the WHO, the IOC and the American College of Sports Medicine came together to discuss strategies for promoting physical activity worldwide.

The SMHS strengthens its visibility and reputation as a leading platform for sports medical innovation and the promotion of physical activity in healthcare. Through the close cooperation of CPO HANSER SERVICE with the city of Hamburg, political representatives, and international partners, the SMHS continues to grow in relevance and reach – both nationally and globally.

Participants benefit from a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange with experts from sports, medicine, science and politics. They gain practical insights, access to the latest research findings and valuable networking opportunities – all aimed at embedding exercise even more firmly into prevention and therapy.

Hermann Hanser, Managing Director of CPO, says:
‘The Sports, Medicine and Health Summit thrives on strong partnerships – and the close collaboration with the city of Hamburg is a true success story. As organisers, we are proud to deliver innovative momentum for greater physical activity and health together with an internationally recognised Global Active City. With its infrastructure, mindset and commitment, Hamburg provides the perfect environment for a Summit whose influence extends both nationally and internationally.’

The next Sports, Medicine and Health Summit will take place from 26 to 28 June 2025, at the Congress Center Hamburg.
Further information can be found at: https://www.sports-medicine-health-summit.de/en

Steffi Zierke, Senior Project Manager, Congresses, CPO HANSER SERVICE