OPEN TO ALL BADGEHOLDERS!
Behind every shoe, piece of apparel, or gear that runners love is a design journey that blends creativity, performance, and storytelling. In this session, a panel of industry leaders will share their paths, highlight memorable projects, and explore how innovation continues to shape the future of running.
Design is never just about product. It is about roots, heritage, and cultural influences that shape how people move and express themselves today. This conversation will show how storytelling transforms shopping from a transaction into a meaningful connection. When retailers carry the design process story from its historical origins through its cultural context, customers leave with more than gear. They leave with a story to share with friends, communities, and platforms like TikTok, creating a cycle of loyalty, pride, and cultural relevance that strengthens both the retailer and the community.
Storytelling Transforms Shopping
When retailers share the story behind design, customers leave with more than a product — they leave with something to retell and pass on.
Heritage Fuels Relevance
Connecting roots, culture, and past inspirations to today’s designs makes products meaningful and keeps brands relevant.
Details Carry the Story
From materials to lifestyle crossover, thoughtful choices show care and craftsmanship, building loyalty and trust.
Retailers and Brand Amplifiers
Even in a DTC-driven market, specialty retailers remain the heart of community connection. By translating design stories into authentic in-store and local experiences, they amplify a brand’s value in ways DTC cannot replicate — turning transactions into transformative moments that customers carry into their communities and share beyond the store.
