Switchback Spring, May 22-24, 2027 in New Orleans, LA
•
Switchback at TRE, December 1-3, 2026 in San Antonio, TX
*This program is not final; check back often as more sessions and speakers are added.
Coffee and tea will be available in the Ballroom Foyer and 303ABC.
OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
No matter how you feel about AI, it is essential to understand how your customers are using it. The answers to your customers' questions are no longer driven by traditional search
…
The strongest running stores aren't built through great products alone – they're built through intentional partnerships.
As retailers navigate increasing competition, evolving consumer expectations, and shifting brand relationships, the most successful stores are becoming more
…
Presented by Karnan Associates
Most retailers track KPIs because someone told them they should – not because they know which numbers actually move their business. KPI Kitchen, a 90-minute working session from Karnan Associates, helps
…
Sports bras are one of the most technical products on the apparel floor, yet they’re often merchandised and sold like any other piece of clothing.
In this 90-minute workshop, Tish Tily, co-founder of specialist
…
Community engagement is at the heart of every successful run specialty store - but programs and events beyond your four walls carry unique liabilities. This 90-minute session explores practical risk management strategies for the three
…
As competition increases from online channels, big-box retail, and brand-owned stores, run specialty's greatest advantage may be the store itself. This session explores how thoughtful design, merchandising, storytelling, and the overall in-store experience can turn
…
Retailers are trained to protect margin at all costs. But across specialty retail, that instinct often means holding onto aging inventory rather than marking it down and losing margin. The result? Cash gets trapped on
…
Lunch will be served in the Stars at Night Ballroom 1 & 2. Join us for an opportunity to network and connect with industry peers.
As The Running Event marks its twentieth anniversary, some of the most influential leaders in run specialty take the mainstage to reflect on what has stood the test of time. This special presentation kicks off
…
OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
Presented by For All Mothers+ (FAM+), Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), and Strava
Running is often considered one of the most accessible sports, yet real and perceived barriers still shape who
…
Running is entering a fashion era. Not because runners suddenly care more about clothes, but because design, taste, and cultural signaling are making the different identities inside the sport easier to see. Some runners are
…
Customers are already using AI before they walk through your door, arriving with product recommendations, fit advice, and a strong sense of what they need. For run specialty retailers, the question isn’t whether AI is
…
Go the Distance: Servant Leadership for Sustainable Success is a high-impact session designed for run specialty leaders who are ready to stop doing everything themselves and start building teams that thrive without them. Drawing
…
Independent run specialty retailers are exceptional at building community, but translating that community engagement into measurable online and in-store growth is where many stores leave money on the table. This session will walk through how
…
In many running communities, run clubs, retailers, and race organizers operate independently — often competing for the same participants, attention, and resources. The result is fragmented programming, inconsistent participation, and missed opportunities to grow the
…
OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
Hosted by empowerun
Women are redefining what running looks like and who it’s for, and this session explores what that means for brands and retailers. It opens with a candid panel
…
Specialty running stores don't win on price - they win on relationships, and nothing builds them faster than showing up consistently where runners already gather. This panel brings together retail store owners who've partnered directly
…
The sit-and-fit experience is where run specialty sets itself apart – and there’s much we can learn from the strategies others employ. Running Insight Senior
…
Running USA’s Shawn K. Sullivan unpacks key findings from the organization’s latest Global Runner Survey, presented by Active Network in partnership with Wahoo, and explores what they mean for event professionals. Sullivan will connect the
…
Presented by Karnan Associates
Placing the order is the easy part. Knowing what to do once the product hits the floor is where buying gets hard. Too often, buyers set their plan and
…Mobile retail is one of the most powerful marketing tools and untapped growth channels in run specialty – and few do it better than Fleet Feet Cincinnati. Owner Frank DeJulius and former Outside Sales Manager
…
Enjoy coffee, tea, cookies, cupcakes, fruit cups, and peanut butter crunch snacks in the Ballroom Foyer and Room 303ABC.
Today’s run specialty stores are more than places to buy shoes – they’re where communities gather as well. Cafes, taprooms, and even garden spaces are turning run shops into “third spaces,” welcoming places beyond home
…
Run clubs are booming. In Las Vegas and in communities across the country, new clubs are seemingly popping up overnight, bringing more people into running and creating new opportunities for connection, community, and growth. For
…
Run and trail participation has surged in recent years, helping fuel growth across the running industry. This session brings together experts from Circana and Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) to examine the relationship between
…
A runner walks into a specialty running store with a referral from their doctor or physical therapist – but what happens when it lacks clarity, doesn’t work for the runner, or gets lost in translation
…
This session will show how run specialty retailers can build profitable in-house spirit shops for local teams, clubs, and events using blank apparel, heat presses, and transfer technology. Eric Contreras of Runners Plus offers a
…
The running industry has always been built on people. That hasn’t changed, but almost everything else has. AI is reshaping how customers find you – and whether they find you at all. Social platforms are
…
OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
The Running Event closes Tuesday's full day of education with a forward-looking conversation led by the voices redefining running and challenging convention across the industry. In a market driven by competition,
…
Presented by FloTrack
The lines between media, brand storytelling, and retail experience are growing increasingly blurred. This panel explores how innovative media partnerships are unlocking new opportunities for retailers and brands to drive deeper
…
Presented by The Rut Mountain Runs and The North Face
Now in its 14th year, The Rut Mountain Runs has evolved from a single alpine race into a three-day festival built around trail running,
…
Presented by Take the Lead
Strong mentorship can accelerate careers, strengthen leadership, and build deeper connections across the running industry. Presented by Take the Lead and sponsored by Altra, this panel
spotlights Take
Presented by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
2027 spending patterns are already taking shape, and the businesses that read them early will plan better than those that wait. Shifting weather, AI-driven discovery, competing spending priorities, and
…
Presented by Bras for Girls
Running is touted as the most accessible sport for youth: "all you need," the saying goes, "is a pair of running shoes." But for girls, it's not that simple.
…
Presented by Back on My Feet
This panel brings together three voices from different points in the same story: a nine-time New York City Marathon finisher and Back on My Feet (BoMF) alumnus who
…
Presented by DashLX
Most run specialty stores know what a runner bought, but not what happens after the runner walks out the door. Wearables and running apps log the miles on a shoe, the terrain
…
Presented by Patagonia, Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), and The Conservation Alliance
Protecting and advocating for trail and public land access is critical for the enjoyment of our wild spaces – now and for
…
Hosted by Switchback, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and The Conservation Alliance
Curious about what’s new in the outdoor industry? Stop by the Switchback Social, hosted in the Training Camp Theater, to connect with people who
…Presented by KEEN
In a sport known for burnout and one-hit wonders, the real question for the run industry isn’t about how long a trail run athlete’s career lasts – it's whether trail running is
…
Presented by RUNGRL
The head nod is more than a gesture. It is a language of recognition among Black women, the split-second eye contact during a race, the knowing smile in a coffee shop, the
…
Presented by UltraSignup
Trail running is in rapid evolution both with consumers and the marketplace. Participation is surging, race formats are evolving, consumer mindsets are shifting, and brands are moving quickly to keep pace. This
…
Presented by Sneakers4Good
Sustainability matters to many running industry professionals, but it often gets treated as an afterthought. This interactive panel brings together run specialty retailers and industry leaders to strip away the complexity of
…
Presented by Footwear News
When it comes to performance footwear, running is the most democratic category, and non-runners constitute a significant share of the market. Often, they’re looking for a running shoe for everyday wear
…
Presented by Women in Ultrarunning
Ultrarunning is an emerging area in the sport, with participation increasing by over 30% in the last four years. As a result, brands are designing gear and marketing campaigns specifically
…
Coffee and tea will be available in the Ballroom Foyer and 303ABC.
OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
No matter how you feel about AI, it is essential to understand how your customers are using it. The answers to your customers' questions are no longer driven by traditional search
…The strongest running stores aren't built through great products alone – they're built through intentional partnerships.
As retailers navigate increasing competition, evolving consumer expectations, and shifting brand relationships, the most successful stores are becoming more
…Presented by Karnan Associates
Most retailers track KPIs because someone told them they should – not because they know which numbers actually move their business. KPI Kitchen, a 90-minute working session from Karnan Associates, helps
…Sports bras are one of the most technical products on the apparel floor, yet they’re often merchandised and sold like any other piece of clothing.
In this 90-minute workshop, Tish Tily, co-founder of specialist
…Community engagement is at the heart of every successful run specialty store - but programs and events beyond your four walls carry unique liabilities. This 90-minute session explores practical risk management strategies for the three
…As competition increases from online channels, big-box retail, and brand-owned stores, run specialty's greatest advantage may be the store itself. This session explores how thoughtful design, merchandising, storytelling, and the overall in-store experience can turn
…Retailers are trained to protect margin at all costs. But across specialty retail, that instinct often means holding onto aging inventory rather than marking it down and losing margin. The result? Cash gets trapped on
…Lunch will be served in the Stars at Night Ballroom 1 & 2. Join us for an opportunity to network and connect with industry peers.
As The Running Event marks its twentieth anniversary, some of the most influential leaders in run specialty take the mainstage to reflect on what has stood the test of time. This special presentation kicks off
…OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
Presented by For All Mothers+ (FAM+), Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), and Strava
Running is often considered one of the most accessible sports, yet real and perceived barriers still shape who
…Running is entering a fashion era. Not because runners suddenly care more about clothes, but because design, taste, and cultural signaling are making the different identities inside the sport easier to see. Some runners are
…Customers are already using AI before they walk through your door, arriving with product recommendations, fit advice, and a strong sense of what they need. For run specialty retailers, the question isn’t whether AI is
…Go the Distance: Servant Leadership for Sustainable Success is a high-impact session designed for run specialty leaders who are ready to stop doing everything themselves and start building teams that thrive without them. Drawing
…Independent run specialty retailers are exceptional at building community, but translating that community engagement into measurable online and in-store growth is where many stores leave money on the table. This session will walk through how
…In many running communities, run clubs, retailers, and race organizers operate independently — often competing for the same participants, attention, and resources. The result is fragmented programming, inconsistent participation, and missed opportunities to grow the
…OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
Hosted by empowerun
Women are redefining what running looks like and who it’s for, and this session explores what that means for brands and retailers. It opens with a candid panel
…Specialty running stores don't win on price - they win on relationships, and nothing builds them faster than showing up consistently where runners already gather. This panel brings together retail store owners who've partnered directly
…The sit-and-fit experience is where run specialty sets itself apart – and there’s much we can learn from the strategies others employ. Running Insight Senior
…Running USA’s Shawn K. Sullivan unpacks key findings from the organization’s latest Global Runner Survey, presented by Active Network in partnership with Wahoo, and explores what they mean for event professionals. Sullivan will connect the
…Presented by Karnan Associates
Placing the order is the easy part. Knowing what to do once the product hits the floor is where buying gets hard. Too often, buyers set their plan and
…Mobile retail is one of the most powerful marketing tools and untapped growth channels in run specialty – and few do it better than Fleet Feet Cincinnati. Owner Frank DeJulius and former Outside Sales Manager
…Enjoy coffee, tea, cookies, cupcakes, fruit cups, and peanut butter crunch snacks in the Ballroom Foyer and Room 303ABC.
Today’s run specialty stores are more than places to buy shoes – they’re where communities gather as well. Cafes, taprooms, and even garden spaces are turning run shops into “third spaces,” welcoming places beyond home
…Run clubs are booming. In Las Vegas and in communities across the country, new clubs are seemingly popping up overnight, bringing more people into running and creating new opportunities for connection, community, and growth. For
…Run and trail participation has surged in recent years, helping fuel growth across the running industry. This session brings together experts from Circana and Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) to examine the relationship between
…A runner walks into a specialty running store with a referral from their doctor or physical therapist – but what happens when it lacks clarity, doesn’t work for the runner, or gets lost in translation
…This session will show how run specialty retailers can build profitable in-house spirit shops for local teams, clubs, and events using blank apparel, heat presses, and transfer technology. Eric Contreras of Runners Plus offers a
…The running industry has always been built on people. That hasn’t changed, but almost everything else has. AI is reshaping how customers find you – and whether they find you at all. Social platforms are
…OPEN TO ALL ATTENDEES!
The Running Event closes Tuesday's full day of education with a forward-looking conversation led by the voices redefining running and challenging convention across the industry. In a market driven by competition,
…Presented by FloTrack
The lines between media, brand storytelling, and retail experience are growing increasingly blurred. This panel explores how innovative media partnerships are unlocking new opportunities for retailers and brands to drive deeper
…Presented by The Rut Mountain Runs and The North Face
Now in its 14th year, The Rut Mountain Runs has evolved from a single alpine race into a three-day festival built around trail running,
…Presented by Take the Lead
Strong mentorship can accelerate careers, strengthen leadership, and build deeper connections across the running industry. Presented by Take the Lead and sponsored by Altra, this panel
spotlights Take
Presented by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
2027 spending patterns are already taking shape, and the businesses that read them early will plan better than those that wait. Shifting weather, AI-driven discovery, competing spending priorities, and
…Presented by Bras for Girls
Running is touted as the most accessible sport for youth: "all you need," the saying goes, "is a pair of running shoes." But for girls, it's not that simple.
…Presented by Back on My Feet
This panel brings together three voices from different points in the same story: a nine-time New York City Marathon finisher and Back on My Feet (BoMF) alumnus who
…Presented by DashLX
Most run specialty stores know what a runner bought, but not what happens after the runner walks out the door. Wearables and running apps log the miles on a shoe, the terrain
…Presented by Patagonia, Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), and The Conservation Alliance
Protecting and advocating for trail and public land access is critical for the enjoyment of our wild spaces – now and for
…Hosted by Switchback, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and The Conservation Alliance
Curious about what’s new in the outdoor industry? Stop by the Switchback Social, hosted in the Training Camp Theater, to connect with people who
…Presented by KEEN
In a sport known for burnout and one-hit wonders, the real question for the run industry isn’t about how long a trail run athlete’s career lasts – it's whether trail running is
…Presented by RUNGRL
The head nod is more than a gesture. It is a language of recognition among Black women, the split-second eye contact during a race, the knowing smile in a coffee shop, the
…Presented by UltraSignup
Trail running is in rapid evolution both with consumers and the marketplace. Participation is surging, race formats are evolving, consumer mindsets are shifting, and brands are moving quickly to keep pace. This
…Presented by Sneakers4Good
Sustainability matters to many running industry professionals, but it often gets treated as an afterthought. This interactive panel brings together run specialty retailers and industry leaders to strip away the complexity of
…Presented by Footwear News
When it comes to performance footwear, running is the most democratic category, and non-runners constitute a significant share of the market. Often, they’re looking for a running shoe for everyday wear
…Presented by Women in Ultrarunning
Ultrarunning is an emerging area in the sport, with participation increasing by over 30% in the last four years. As a result, brands are designing gear and marketing campaigns specifically
…2026 focus areas include AI & Modern Retail Efficiencies, Run Clubs, Races & Trail Running Opportunities, Creative Buying, Merchandising & Inventory Strategies, Leadership, Hiring & Training, Data, Participation & Consumer Insights, Performance in Lifestyle & Fashion, and Access, Inclusion & Retention.
In addition to Store Owners, Managers, and Sales Associates, here is a short list of roles that benefit from attending TRE education sessions:
Located in the exhibit hall, the Training Camp Theater is an engaging and casual presentation space open to all. Attendees, exhibitors, media and industry professionals will access relevant and impactful education from a lineup of thoughtfully selected presenters. Stay tuned for the 2026 Training Camp Theater lineup!
Training Camp Theater Dates & Times:
Wednesday, December 2:
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM: Training Camp Theater Sessions on the Trade Show Floor
Thursday, December 3:
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM: Training Camp Theater Sessions on the Trade Show Floor
Panelists include: Eric Fruth, Co-Owner of Columbus Running Company; Bob Dyer, Co-Owner of Running Niche, and Allie Vincent, CEO and Co-Owner of Swags. Presented by: Danny Smith, Senior Writer at Running Insight.
The sit-and-fit experience is where run specialty sets itself apart – and there’s much we can learn from the strategies others employ. Running Insight Senior Writer Danny Smith leads a discussion with three retail veterans about the creative approach and tactics they bring to the fit stool. Topics include determining the initial footwear selection, guiding customers toward a confident choice, introducing other complementary in-store products, overcoming objections, confronting showrooming and ushering a sale to close. This session will provide tangible, battle-tested tips for sharpening your game at the fit stool, elevating customer service and strengthening store performance.
Learning Objectives:
Presented by Jean Knaack, CEO, Road Runners Club of America
Community engagement is at the heart of every successful run specialty store—but programs and events beyond your four walls carry unique liabilities. This 90-minute session explores practical risk management strategies for the three pillars of community engagement: run clubs and training programs, store-owned races, and youth programs. Using real-world case studies, Jean Knaack of Road Runners Club of America will highlight where incidents and legal claims most often arise and how strong partnerships, clear policies, and proactive planning can mitigate risk and create safer, more sustainable programming. This presentation covers liability insurance, waiver essentials, leadership training, safety protocols, documentation, and emergency planning. It also shows how collaborations between run specialty stores and formally organized run clubs or events can strengthen both your business and community trust.
Participants will leave with an actionable plan to audit current practices, address vulnerabilities, and build a unified framework that safeguards your store, your participants, and your reputation across all three pillars.
Presented by Melodie van der Baan, CEO / Co-Founder, Max Retail
Retailers are trained to protect margin at all costs. But across specialty retail, that instinct often means holding onto aging inventory rather than marking it down and losing margin. The result? Cash gets trapped on the shelves, new buys become limited, and turnover slows. Ironically, retailers with lower margins but faster sell-through frequently outperform those sitting on high-margin stock that doesn’t move.
In this working session, Max Retail CEO and former retailer Melodie van der Baan helps you uncover where profit is actually hiding in your business – and why clearing inventory earlier often improves long-term profitability. You’ll leave knowing where dead stock hides in your financials, when to call a product “done,” and how to convert aging inventory into cash.
Learning Objectives:
Presented by Michael Giddens, Founder / Coach, Sidewalk Athletics and Frank DeJulius Owner, Fleet Feet Cincinnati
Mobile retail is one of the most powerful marketing tools and untapped growth channels in run specialty – and few do it better than Fleet Feet Cincinnati. Owner Frank DeJulius and former Outside Sales Manager Michael Giddens share the operational playbook behind taking your outfitting experience directly to the customer. Drawing on real-world examples from their own activations, they break down what it takes to turn a pop-up into a repeatable growth engine for your store. Retailers will leave with the tools to launch, run, and scale a mobile program with confidence.
Learning Objectives:
Presented by Ian Servantes, Senior News Writer, Footwear News *Additional panelist information coming soon!
When it comes to performance footwear, running is the most democratic category, and non-runners constitute a significant share of the market. Often, they’re looking for a running shoe for everyday wear — or expressly for walking — to get their steps in and achieve their fitness goals. So how can specialty retailers capture more of these consumers? This panel will examine how to:
Presented by George Plomarity, Director of Business Development, KEEN Running *Additional panelist information coming soon!
In a sport known for burnout and one-hit wonders, the real question for the run industry isn’t about how long a trail run athlete’s career lasts – it’s whether trail running is a category built to last. KEEN brings together three of the sport’s most durable athletes with a leading retailer and brand to make the business case for trail running. Athletes Jeff Browning, Krissy Moehl and Tim Tollefson join Skip Brand from Healdsburg Run Company and George Plomarity from KEEN Footwear at TRE’s Training Camp Theater to explore what it takes to build trail running into a category the run and outdoor industries can count on for the long haul:
Presented by Eric Contreras, Owner / CEO, Runners Plus
This session will show how run specialty retailers can build profitable in-house spirit shops for local teams, clubs, and events using blank apparel, heat presses, and transfer technology. Eric Contreras of Runners Plus offers a practical – and tested – system for launching low-risk, high-margin custom apparel programs without committing to large inventory or complicated production. Areas of focus include equipment setup, pricing strategy, workflow, and how to partner with local schools and organizations to generate consistent demand.
Participants will leave with a clear framework for creating a scalable custom apparel program that drives new customers and community engagement while adding a reliable revenue stream to their business.
