PORTLAND, MAINE (September 24, 2025) – Switchback, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry, returns this December as part of The Running Event (TRE), bringing a mix of new and returning outdoor brands with a strong run component including Patagonia, TEVA, KEEN Footwear, Mammut, Smartwool, Stio, The North Face, and others.

“Switchback is evolving and growing, not only as a foundation for the spring standalone event, but also as a year-round gathering point for the industry,” said Christina Henderson, The Running Event and Switchback director. “As the outdoor and run markets continue to blend into each other with the growth of trail running and day hiking, Switchback at TRE is a space for these markets to do business and learn from each other.”

Switchback at TRE will be held December 2-4, 2025, in San Antonio, TX, at the Henry B. González Convention Center, with December 2 dedicated to educational programming. Launched in 2022, Switchback at TRE acknowledges the growing crossover between run and outdoor specialty markets. The outdoor showcase has since grown in size and popularity to the point where a standalone event, Switchback Spring, was launched last spring in Nashville.

Brands returning to Switchback at TRE this December include KEEN Footwear, Patagonia, PrAna, Smartwool, The North Face, TEVA, Toad & Co, and Danner. New exhibiting brands include BOGS Footwear, Cotopaxi, Mammut, Stio, Topo Designs, Berghaus, Sea to Summit, and Duer, among others. To view the complete list of brands attending TRE and Switchback at TRE, visit this page. 

Education will also be a key feature of Switchback at TRE, with key sessions led by both The Conservation Alliance as well as Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) – Switchback’s Official Event Partner. The Conservation Alliance will be presenting “Common Ground: Trails, Public Lands, and the Business Case for Protecting Nature” on December 3. The session will focus on the current state of affairs on public land efforts, including the threats to the Roadless Rule and ways brand representatives play a key role in advancing these initiatives.

On December 4, OIA will host the session “Sustainability in the Outdoor Market: Business Value and Consumer Expectations”, led by Julie Brown, Outdoor Industry Association – Director of Sustainable Business Innovation, and Kelly Davis, Outdoor Industry Association – Director of Research. They will provide a clearer picture of how to meet consumer expectations, stay ahead of compliance, and strengthen your business through sustainability.

For a complete list of education at Switchback at TRE and The Running Event, click here.

To register for TRE and Switchback at TRE, visit www.therunningevent.com/register.

The second edition of Switchback Spring will be held June 16-18, 2026, in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

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. Scheduled at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback is held each fall in conjunction with The Running Event and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with a schedule of education, peer connection opportunities, and business meetings, Switchback is a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates for the event include Switchback at TRE (Dec. 2-4, 2025; San Antonio, TX) and Switchback Spring (June 16-18; New Orleans, LA). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin ([email protected]) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.
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