November 28 - 30, 2023 | Austin Convention Center | Austin, TX

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 new, 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 management professionals from across the US.

In 2022, TRE expanded with Switchback at The Running Event. In addition to expanding the TRE exhibit hall, Switchback at TRE was bolstered by actionable 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
Christina Henderson
Event Director, The Running Event

2022 Exhibitor and Attendee Highlights

Switchback at TRE exhibitors represented the brands leading the way in outdoor specialty. Here’s who was there:

  • adidas Terrex
  • Scott Sports
  • Unifi
  • Vapor Apparel
  • Asolo
  • Pivot Point
  • Icebreaker
  • Locally
  • Malakye
  • Fitterfirst
  • Thule
  • Lowa Boots
  • Farm to Feet
  • Tanri
  • Danner
  • Trere Innovation
  • Keen
  • Sayso Shades
  • Wolverine Worldwide
  • Dansko
  • Oboz
  • BioLite
  • Scarpa
  • Vionic

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

#TRE22 Exhibitors Include:

  • HOKA
  • Brooks
  • Birkenstock
  • Osprey
  • Salomon
  • The North Face
  • Craft
  • Merrell
  • Topo
  • La Sportiva
  • Rumpl
  • Nike
  • Saucony
  • Smartwool
  • GU
  • Garmin

Click here for a full list of #TRE22 exhibitors.

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.

#TRE22 attending companies included:

  • REI
  • Public Lands
  • Salt Lake Running Company
  • Fleet Feet (corporate and franchisees)
  • Marathon Sports
  • Pacers Running
  • A Runner’s Mind
  • Naperville Running Company
  • Road Runner Sports

Click here for a full list of #TRE22 attendees.

Outdoor Industry Networking

Switchback at TRE Base Camp

Switchback at TRE Base Camp was an open area in the exhibit hall for attendee networking hours and activities.
Set Out at Switchback: 
Attendees headed to Base Camp for meet-and-greet networking, coffee, and a build-your-own energy mix station. They also had the chance to personalize their #TRE22 badge, making it even easier to connect with others and get the conversation started.
 
Summit at Switchback: 
Attendees visited Base Camp to rest, recharge, and reconnect with their new industry friends. Attendees got their hands on a Switchback t-shirt, carbo-loaded on soft pretzels, and filled up on coffee for an energy boost.

Trail Cleanup

On Friday, December 2 TRE held its first-ever trail cleanup! Volunteers headed 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 was an opportunity for attendees to leave Austin better than they found it while getting to know each other. Water, bags, and gloves were provided. Trail Cleanup Sponsored By:

Community Impact

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

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2022 Education Highlights

The 2022 conference program provided 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 The Running Event & Switchback at TRE Event Director Christina Henderson’s conversation with Rick Saez on episode 352 of The Outdoor Biz Podcast!

#TRE22 By The Numbers

Switchback 2022 Snapshots

Interested in Exhibiting or Partnering?​

Contact our team to discuss how your company can get involved with Switchback at The Running Event.

Christina Henderson, Event Director
chenderson@divcom.com
214-263-4706

Genae Salinas, Marketing Manager
gsalinas@divcom.com
207-842-5647

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