NEW ORLEANS (March 30, 2026) – Switchback Spring, the business and education gathering for the outdoor industry, this week unveiled their specialty retail focused education sessions for the upcoming gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana (June 16-18, 2026).

Driven by the theme “Equipping the Outdoor Industry for the Future,” the roster of speakers and topics was developed in partnership with Switchback’s official event partner Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and guidance from outdoor retail leaders.

Designed to support specialty retailers with actionable strategies for today’s most pressing business challenges, the program will cover key topics including leadership and change management, market trends and consumer insights, buying and merchandising, retail technology, and more.

“Outdoor specialty retailers are the heartbeat of the industry, and this year, we’ve redesigned our education program to be a true exchange of ideas,” said Caitlin Ewing, Switchback Senior Content Manager. “By fostering a space for networking and conversations, we’re empowering retailers to take those collective learnings directly back to their stores and even onto Switchback’s show floor.”

The Switchback Spring education program will begin on Tuesday, June 16, with a full day of education geared toward specialty retailers. Additional speakers and sessions addressing broader industry trends will be featured throughout June 17-18, at the Trailheads Theater in the exhibit hall.

Highlights of Tuesday’s retail-focused programming include “Who’s Getting Outside: Participation Trends Shaping the Outdoor Market,” led by Kelly Davis, Director of Research at OIA. In her presentation, Davis will share the latest data on who is getting outside, the fastest-growing outdoor activities, and how demographic shifts translate into business opportunities for brands and retailers.

Another Tuesday highlight will be a panel discussion led by Lloyd Vogel, Garage Grown Gear co-founder and CEO, on “The Role of Ecommerce in Outdoor Specialty Retail.” This conversation will focus on the digital tools needed for extending local stores’ reach and engagement to better serve their customers and community.

Additional Switchback Spring retail education highlights include:

• Durability as Value: Making Longevity a Competitive Advantage in Outdoor Retail: Julie Brown of OIA and Troy Sicotte of Mountain Hardwear will guide retailers on reframing durability as a sales tool—moving beyond technical specs into something that can be sold, explained, and operationalized on the floor.
• AI 101: What AI Can (And Can’t) Do for Specialty Retailers: Leslie Leonard of Outdoor Equipped will walk attendees through the most practical AI use cases for small retail teams, covering marketing, e-commerce, and process automation, while addressing where AI falls short.
• Selling What Matters: Using Sustainability to Elevate the Customer Experience: This session, led by Rick Crawford of Emerger Strategies and Alex Lauver of Douglas Strategies, will explore how sales reps can serve as the critical link between brand sustainability efforts and meaningful retail floor experiences.
• From Cash Chaos to Confident Growth: A Profit System for Outdoor Specialty Retailers: Jacob Curtis of Curtis Accounting Solutions will lead an interactive working session introducing a cash flow and profit system that confronts large fixed costs, like leases and payroll, and is tailored to the seasonal, inventory-heavy realities of outdoor retail.
• How Emerging Outdoor Brands and Retailers Win Together: Presented by Founded Outdoors, this session will address the common friction points in wholesale partnerships between emerging brands and specialty retailers, and how both sides can set up relationships for long-term success.
• Lessons in Change Fluency for Outdoor Retail Leaders: Building Resilient, Adaptable Teams: Drawing from real-world industry collaboration and innovative retail practices, attendees will learn leadership strategies that encourage curiosity, reflection, and small experiments to improve decision-making on the sales floor, strengthen store culture, support staff through transitions, and keep their businesses adaptable, resilient, and relevant in today’s outdoor retail market.

For a complete listing of Switchback Spring education sessions, please visit www.switchbackevent.com/education-program.

About Switchback
Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry, owned and operated by Diversified, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Held at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback takes place each fall in conjunction with The Running Event (TRE) and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with robust education, peer connection, and business meetings, Switchback serves as a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates include Switchback Spring (June 16–18, 2026; New
Orleans, LA) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 1–3, 2026; San Antonio, TX). To learn more, contact Michael Collin ([email protected]) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.