Switchback Spring, June 16-18, 2026 in New Orleans, LA
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Switchback at TRE, December 1-3, 2026 in San Antonio, TX
OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
Join us for brunch and start your day by connecting with fellow industry peers!
The Switchback team will welcome the outdoor industry and highlight key activities and can’t miss moments across the three-day event. Please join us!
OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
Outdoor participation continues to grow, creating new opportunities to strengthen the outdoor economy. In this session, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will share the latest insights into who’s getting outside,
…
This guided discussion will help independent retailers reframe durability to their customers - moving beyond “technical performance” and into something retailers can sell, explain, and operationalize on the floor. We will explore how to make
…
Ecommerce is now a core part of how specialty outdoor retailers reach, educate, and serve their customers. This panel brings together retailers who have built and integrated online sales into their businesses – not as
…
The outdoor industry is currently in a state of constant change, from shifting consumer demands and sustainability pressures, to staffing challenges and an unpredictable market. This session focuses on how specialty retail leaders can build
…
Outdoor specialty retailers are competing in one of the noisiest landscapes the industry has ever seen. Big brands have bigger budgets, marketplaces offer endless choice, and algorithms often decide what customers see before they ever
…
Outdoor retail is seasonal, inventory-heavy, and cash-intensive. Strong sales don’t always translate to strong cash flow — and many store owners feel profitable on paper but pressured in reality.
This 45-minute interactive working session introduces
…
Apparel remains one of the most challenging and highest opportunity categories for outdoor retailers to execute effectively. This session focuses on practical, proven merchandising strategies to elevate apparel performance through thoughtful fixture planning, sight lines,
…
Building a motivated, high-performing team starts with understanding the human element — what drives a person, what engages them, and what keeps them committed to their work. This session explores a culture-first approach to hiring
…
For outdoor brands, importers, manufacturers, and the independent retailers who depend on them, trade policy has become a core business issue. Tariffs, legal uncertainty, and shifting global dynamics are driving up costs, disrupting inventory, and
…
Presented by two leading sustainability consultants, this session explores how sales reps serve as the critical link between brand sustainability efforts and meaningful customer experiences on the retail floor. From environmental initiatives to social impact
…
AI has become unavoidable, and most retailers still aren’t clear on how to use it effectively. And for specialty retailers who are running on small teams, trying to remain competitive, and stay searchable online, AI
…
Coffee, tea, and an assortment of snacks will be available near the left wing on Level 2 of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
The outdoor industry is witnessing a major shift as the resale market evolves from a niche movement into a core component of the specialty retail business. Join our panel of expert retailers to explore how
…
Outdoor participation has evolved significantly in recent years and has expanded people's interpretation of what it means to get outside. For independent retailers, there is a unique opportunity to explore this shift through product discovery
…
In the outdoor industry, your most valuable assets aren’t just the gear on your shelves—it’s the deep trust you’ve built with your community. As we shift toward digital-enhanced operations, retailers are adopting powerful new eCommerce
…
45 MINUTE FILM SCREENING FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION
Join us for a 45-minute screening of the award-winning short film Best Day Ever, followed by a conversation about ways the outdoor industry can move
…
OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
Join us for breakfast and start your day by connecting with fellow industry peers!
Presented by Griffin Post and The Conservation Alliance, Powered by The North Face
OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
What does it take to commit to a descent no one has skied before? And what does
…
Emerging outdoor brands and specialty retailers both face challenges when building wholesale partnerships. Retailers worry about unproven demand and operational readiness. Founders often struggle to break into retail and manage the expectations that come with
…
The outdoor industry has a unique opportunity right now: to lead cultural change while driving long-term growth in participation that can strengthen the whole market. The question is whether we will act together or continue
…
Outdoor recreation depends on the places people love — but the future of those places is being decided right now in Washington. Federal policy is at an inflection point: the reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration
…
Our public lands and waters are facing unprecedented threats, from the loss of protections on beloved landscapes to staff cuts at key federal agencies. At the same time, the business voice to stand up for
…
This panel will explore how intentional, community-driven approaches can help bridge cultural gaps in off-road and public trail spaces. Using the work of Trail & Ultra Running Fanatics (TURF) as a real-world community model, panelists
…
Join us at the Trailheads Theater for Switchback Spring's first-ever Partner Social: a celebration dedicated to our partner organizations driving meaningful change across the outdoor industry.
You'll meet the people behind the mission-driven work that
…Participation on the trail is booming, but it is not evenly distributed. Despite the growth and excitement, many people still face real barriers to entry and belonging in outdoor spaces, and the entire industry has
…
Color is one of the most powerful drivers in the consumer’s path to purchase—yet it is often underleveraged as a strategic tool across product development and retail. This presentation explores how to research, forecast,
…
Brands and their products are often the first point of contact for new and experienced outdoor participants alike. That position gives them enormous influence, not just in shaping purchasing decisions, but in shaping outdoor behaviors.
…
What if a doctor could prescribe time spent outdoors? Darren "DJ" Josey will share the story behind the Great Malden Outdoors Rx Pilot — a first-of-its-kind partnership between a municipality, a state, healthcare providers, and
…
When retailers and brands engage in public policy and capacity building at the state level, the impact can be meaningful for their businesses and communities. One of the fastest growing ways to do this is
…
There’s a proverb of unknown origin that states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Today, the outdoor industry is facing constant challenges: supply chain disruptions,
…
OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
Join us for brunch and start your day by connecting with fellow industry peers!
The Switchback team will welcome the outdoor industry and highlight key activities and can’t miss moments across the three-day event. Please join us!
OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
Outdoor participation continues to grow, creating new opportunities to strengthen the outdoor economy. In this session, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will share the latest insights into who’s getting outside,
…This guided discussion will help independent retailers reframe durability to their customers - moving beyond “technical performance” and into something retailers can sell, explain, and operationalize on the floor. We will explore how to make
…Ecommerce is now a core part of how specialty outdoor retailers reach, educate, and serve their customers. This panel brings together retailers who have built and integrated online sales into their businesses – not as
…The outdoor industry is currently in a state of constant change, from shifting consumer demands and sustainability pressures, to staffing challenges and an unpredictable market. This session focuses on how specialty retail leaders can build
…Outdoor specialty retailers are competing in one of the noisiest landscapes the industry has ever seen. Big brands have bigger budgets, marketplaces offer endless choice, and algorithms often decide what customers see before they ever
…Outdoor retail is seasonal, inventory-heavy, and cash-intensive. Strong sales don’t always translate to strong cash flow — and many store owners feel profitable on paper but pressured in reality.
This 45-minute interactive working session introduces
…Apparel remains one of the most challenging and highest opportunity categories for outdoor retailers to execute effectively. This session focuses on practical, proven merchandising strategies to elevate apparel performance through thoughtful fixture planning, sight lines,
…Building a motivated, high-performing team starts with understanding the human element — what drives a person, what engages them, and what keeps them committed to their work. This session explores a culture-first approach to hiring
…For outdoor brands, importers, manufacturers, and the independent retailers who depend on them, trade policy has become a core business issue. Tariffs, legal uncertainty, and shifting global dynamics are driving up costs, disrupting inventory, and
…Presented by two leading sustainability consultants, this session explores how sales reps serve as the critical link between brand sustainability efforts and meaningful customer experiences on the retail floor. From environmental initiatives to social impact
…AI has become unavoidable, and most retailers still aren’t clear on how to use it effectively. And for specialty retailers who are running on small teams, trying to remain competitive, and stay searchable online, AI
…Coffee, tea, and an assortment of snacks will be available near the left wing on Level 2 of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
The outdoor industry is witnessing a major shift as the resale market evolves from a niche movement into a core component of the specialty retail business. Join our panel of expert retailers to explore how
…Outdoor participation has evolved significantly in recent years and has expanded people's interpretation of what it means to get outside. For independent retailers, there is a unique opportunity to explore this shift through product discovery
…In the outdoor industry, your most valuable assets aren’t just the gear on your shelves—it’s the deep trust you’ve built with your community. As we shift toward digital-enhanced operations, retailers are adopting powerful new eCommerce
…45 MINUTE FILM SCREENING FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION
Join us for a 45-minute screening of the award-winning short film Best Day Ever, followed by a conversation about ways the outdoor industry can move
…OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
Join us for breakfast and start your day by connecting with fellow industry peers!
Presented by Griffin Post and The Conservation Alliance, Powered by The North Face
OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!
What does it take to commit to a descent no one has skied before? And what does
…Emerging outdoor brands and specialty retailers both face challenges when building wholesale partnerships. Retailers worry about unproven demand and operational readiness. Founders often struggle to break into retail and manage the expectations that come with
…The outdoor industry has a unique opportunity right now: to lead cultural change while driving long-term growth in participation that can strengthen the whole market. The question is whether we will act together or continue
…Outdoor recreation depends on the places people love — but the future of those places is being decided right now in Washington. Federal policy is at an inflection point: the reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration
…Our public lands and waters are facing unprecedented threats, from the loss of protections on beloved landscapes to staff cuts at key federal agencies. At the same time, the business voice to stand up for
…This panel will explore how intentional, community-driven approaches can help bridge cultural gaps in off-road and public trail spaces. Using the work of Trail & Ultra Running Fanatics (TURF) as a real-world community model, panelists
…Join us at the Trailheads Theater for Switchback Spring's first-ever Partner Social: a celebration dedicated to our partner organizations driving meaningful change across the outdoor industry.
You'll meet the people behind the mission-driven work that
…Participation on the trail is booming, but it is not evenly distributed. Despite the growth and excitement, many people still face real barriers to entry and belonging in outdoor spaces, and the entire industry has
…Color is one of the most powerful drivers in the consumer’s path to purchase—yet it is often underleveraged as a strategic tool across product development and retail. This presentation explores how to research, forecast,
…Brands and their products are often the first point of contact for new and experienced outdoor participants alike. That position gives them enormous influence, not just in shaping purchasing decisions, but in shaping outdoor behaviors.
…What if a doctor could prescribe time spent outdoors? Darren "DJ" Josey will share the story behind the Great Malden Outdoors Rx Pilot — a first-of-its-kind partnership between a municipality, a state, healthcare providers, and
…When retailers and brands engage in public policy and capacity building at the state level, the impact can be meaningful for their businesses and communities. One of the fastest growing ways to do this is
…There’s a proverb of unknown origin that states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Today, the outdoor industry is facing constant challenges: supply chain disruptions,
…Outdoor participation continues to grow, creating new opportunities to strengthen the outdoor economy. In this session, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will share the latest insights into who’s getting outside, how people are participating, and what these trends mean for brands and retailers.
Drawing from OIA’s trusted research and business intelligence, this session will explore participation trends, demographic shifts, and activity growth—connecting the data to consumer behavior and spending. Attendees will gain actionable insights to help make informed decisions, better serve both core and casual outdoor participants, and translate participation growth into meaningful business impact.
As part of OIA’s work to champion equitable outdoor experiences that strengthen the outdoor industry, this session equips attendees with the data and insights needed to navigate a growing and evolving market.
What we’ll cover:
Speaker:
Ecommerce is now a core part of how specialty outdoor retailers reach, educate, and serve their customers. This panel brings together retailers who have built and integrated online sales into their businesses – not as a replacement for the shop floor, but as an extension of it. Drawing from firsthand experience, panelists will share what has worked, what hasn’t, and the tradeoffs of selling gear both online and in-store. The conversation will focus on using ecommerce to leverage education, community, and maintaining trust while operating across channels, offering practical lessons on strengthening specialty outdoor retail rather than diluting it.
Speaker:
Outdoor specialty retailers are competing in one of the noisiest landscapes the industry has ever seen. Big brands have bigger budgets, marketplaces offer endless choice, and algorithms often decide what customers see before they ever walk through your door.
In this increasingly digital world, great products and service aren’t enough on their own. The retailers who are winning know how to tell their story, build community, and stay top of mind—without blowing their budgets or burning out their teams.
This session will explore six proven marketing lessons that outdoor specialty retailers can easily use to increase awareness, deepen customer engagement, and drive sales.
We’ll cover practical ways to:
Everything is viewed through a retail-first lens—focused on creative, affordable, and simple-to-execute tactics that work with your existing team, time, and budget. No giant campaigns. No agency-sized resources required.
Speaker:
This panel will explore how intentional, community-driven approaches can help bridge cultural gaps in off-road and public trail spaces. Using the work of Trail & Ultra Running Fanatics (TURF) as a real-world community model, panelists will share practical insights on how welcoming environments and shared experiences can help build trust, expand participation, and foster long-term connections across diverse communities.
Outdoor brands, specialty retailers, and industry leaders will gain actionable insights into how authentically led community building plays a critical role in shaping and diversifying the future of outdoor culture and industry standards.
Speakers:
AI has become unavoidable, and most retailers still aren’t clear on how to use it effectively. And for specialty retailers who are running on small teams, trying to remain competitive, and stay searchable online, AI can seem like a daunting, but necessary tool for their business. This session will highlight the most practical and easy to implement use cases of AI, while also addressing its limitations and what functions you should avoid using AI for in your store.
Attendees will walk away with real-world examples of how to make AI work for you – whether it’s to support and amplify marketing efforts, scale your e-commerce presence, or automate laborious processes and reporting that can save your team time. These tools are not meant to replace an employee but will allow your team to spend more time in front of the customer, online or in-store, which leads to a better shopping experience and increased sales!
Speaker:
