Attend Switchback at The Running Event

Welcoming the Outdoors In

Switchback at The Running Event (TRE) delivers an elevated onsite experience where outdoor retailers can source quality products, develop meaningful peer relationships, and gain industry insights to stay ahead of trends and better serve their customers.

Launched in 2006, The Running Event (TRE) is North America’s largest running specialty trade show, offering three days of networking, education, business, and celebration to retailers and event directors from across the US.

This year, TRE is expanding with Switchback at The Running Event. A dedicated space within the exhibit hall, Switchback at TRE will be bolstered by actionable, insightful education and lively networking opportunities—delivering greater support and opportunity to both outdoor and run specialty retailers.

"The Running Event has an intimate, community-driven spirit and energy—and we'd like to create that space for the outdoor industry. We understand the needs of specialty retailers and we invite outdoor stores to come experience everything TRE has to offer this fall."

Christina Henderson

Event Director, The Running Event

Who You'll Meet

Switchback at TRE Exhibitors

Switchback at TRE exhibitors represent the brands leading the way in outdoor specialty. Here’s who you’ll find:

TRE Exhibitors

The Running Event already has a strong foundation of exhibiting brands that sell into outdoor specialty. From market-leading companies to up-and-coming brands, these exhibitors bring innovation and excitement to the trade show floor.

#TRE22 Exhibitors Include:

Click here for a full list of #TRE22 exhibitors.

Influential Attendees

Each year, The Running Event welcomes specialty retailers, event directors, and industry professionals from across the US—and all organizational levels—to Austin, TX.

By delivering a diverse trade show floor, valuable educational content, endless networking opportunities, peer-to-peer mentorship, and industry celebration, The Running Event has become attendees’ go-to source for inspiration, education, and connection—powering professional development and new business into the next year.

#TRE21 Attending companies included:

Click here for a full list of #TRE21 attendees.

Dedicated Networking

Switchback at TRE Base Camp

Switchback at TRE Base Camp will be an open area in the exhibit hall for attendee networking hours and activities.

Set Out at Switchback: Wednesday, November 30 at 10:00 AM

Join us in kicking off Switchback at TRE! Head to Base Camp for meet-and-greet networking, coffee, and a build-your-own energy mix station. You’ll also have the chance to personalize your #TRE22 badge, making it even easier to connect with others and get the conversation started.

Summit at Switchback: Thursday, December 1 at 1:00 PM

Need a break? Visit Base Camp to rest, recharge, and reconnect with your new industry friends. Get your hands on a Switchback t-shirt, carb-load on soft pretzels, and fill up on coffee for an energy boost. While you’re at it, pick up a custom pin to mark the inaugural year of Switchback at TRE—available only during the Summit at Switchback hour.

Trail Cleanup

Join us Friday, December 2 at 8:30 AM for our first-ever trail cleanup! Volunteers will head out to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail—a treasured Austin trail spanning 10 miles that takes visitors from the water’s edge to nearby neighborhoods and cultural attractions. This is an opportunity to leave Austin better than we found it while getting to know your fellow attendees. Water, bags, and gloves will be provided.

Community Impact

In partnership with Strava, The Running Event has created Strides for Progress: A Strava challenge taking place during #TRE22. We will challenge the running industry to run, walk, or complete other activities to reach a collective distance goal of 35,000 miles. Together, we will unlock donations to Texas-based nonprofits.

Impactful sustainability measures onsite limit single-use plastics and non-recyclables; donations to local non-profits further reduce waste and cheer the community.

Industry Celebration

Each year, the Best Running Stores program recognizes the run specialty retailers who go above and beyond for customer service and community. In 2022, The Running Event will host the awards dinner onsite, celebrating all winning stores, unveiling the Store of the Year, and giving leading brands the opportunity to recognize select retailers with industry awards. Learn about the 2022 program here.

Stay In the Know

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2022 Education Highlights

This year’s conference program will provide education with actionable takeaways developed for specialty retail professionals across multiple levels of experience.

Running in the Outerverse
The Low Impact Alliance presents: Building a Sustainability Strategy
How to Remove the Barrier of Entry and Build a Diverse Community
How to use Strategy, Simplicity, and Storytelling to Create an Engaging Brand and Marketing Plan

SEE THE FULL PROGRAM

Keep Learning

Hear #TRE22 & Switchback at TRE Event Director Christina Henderson’s conversation with Rick Saez on episode 352 of The Outdoor Biz Podcast!

“A wonderful opportunity with a range of takeaways—from seminars and networking to industry insights.”

“It’s a great few days to connect with people in the industry and build on key relationships.”

“[TRE] is the other event where the whole industry meets together—small and large retailers, vendors, athletes, ideas…there is no other time of place that has as plentiful opportunities available to learn from one another.”

“[TRE] is a one-stop-shop for seeing current vendors and sourcing new ones.”

“[TRE] is a valuable trade show that brings together buyers and owners of specialty shops. It’s a great opportunity to connect with brands for future collaborations.”

190 Exhibiting Companies
940 Retailers and Event Directors
3 Hands-On Workshops, 2 Dynamic Keynotes, and 17 Insightful Conference Sessions
1,310 runners and walkers at the annual Indie 5K race
$20,000 donated to Austin Angels, Back on My Feet Austin, Running Industry Diversity Coalition, and The Lilith Fund
60 Top US Retailers Honored at the 2021 Best Running Stores Awards