December 1-3, 2026
Henry B. González Convention Center
San Antonio, TX
REGISTER NOW

2026 Education Program

Explore TRE Education

Guided by the theme “Celebrating Run Specialty: Now and Tomorrow,” this year’s program is designed to deliver practical, actionable strategies for run specialty retailers and industry leaders. The 2026 program captures retail best practices and hands-on learning opportunities with forward-looking perspectives on where the industry is headed next.
Coming soon! Tuesday’s education will be organized into five focus areas: Buying & Merchandising, Leadership & Store Operations, Sales & Customer Experience, Marketing & Innovation, and Events & Community. Attendees can build a session lineup around individual business and career goals for an easy-to-navigate day of learning.

*This program is not final; check back often as more sessions and speakers are added.

Register for TRE

Join us in San Antonio! Lock in Early Bird pricing through September 24.
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Tue Dec 1
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
CST

DEEP DIVE: The Store Is the Product: Turning Your Retail Space Into a Competitive Advantage

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Holly Wiese
3 Dots Design, Inc.
Founder / Visual Visionary

DEEP DIVE: KPI Kitchen: A Recipe for the KPIs That Actually Matter

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
David Durkin
Karnan Associates
Co-Owner
Ben Anderson
Karnan Associates
Run Specialty Consultant

DEEP DIVE: If AI Can’t See You, Runners Won’t Either: A Guide to AI Visibility for Retailers, Brands & Events

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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 results alone. They're being

…
Read More
Jenna Klein Jonsson
Blaze Partners
Principal, Managing Director
Emily Fidrych
Blaze Partners
Associate Media Director

DEEP DIVE: The Partnership Playbook: Building a Running Store Your Community Can't Replace

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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 than

…
Read More
Jinnie Austin
(Moderator)
Creative Intelligence Co.
Founder / Fractional CMO

DEEP DIVE: Risk Management for Community Engagement: Protecting Your Store Beyond Its Walls

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Jean Knaack
Road Runners Club of America
CEO

DEEP DIVE: Sports Bra Fit, Function & Retail Mastery

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Tish Tily
She Science
Managing Director / Co-Founder

DEEP DIVE: Beyond Margin: A Discovery Workshop on Smarter Retail Profitability

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Melodie van der Baan
Max Retail
Co-founder / CEO
Tue Dec 1
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
CST

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Twenty Lessons from Twenty Years of Run Specialty

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Jim Weber
(Moderator)
Brooks (Formerly)
Author, Advisor, Speaker & Former CEO
Parker Karnan
Karnan Associates
Founder
Ted Metellus
New York Road Runners
Chief Event Production Officer and Race Director
Betsy Hughes
Track Shack
Co-Owner
Tue Dec 1
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
CST

Stop Competing, Start Coordinating: A Retailer's Guide for Building a Stronger Running Community

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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 sport.

This

…
Read More
Greg Koch
605 Running Company
Owner

Go the Distance: Creating Teams That Stay - and Believe - in Where They Work

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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 from

…
Read More
Toni Reese
Running Lab
Co-Owner
Jacob Sapienza
Running Lab
Floor Manager

Fit Stool Philosophies: How Top Specialty Retailers Turn the Fit into a Sale

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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 

…
Read More
Danny Smith
(Moderator)
Running Insight
Senior Writer
Bob Dyer
Running Niche
Co-Owner
Eric Fruth
Columbus Running Company
Co-Owner
Allie Vincent
Swags
CEO / Co-Owner

Outfit Your Local Teams and Clubs: In-House Spirit Shops for Independent Retailers

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Eric Contreras
Runners Plus
Owner / CEO
Tue Dec 1
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
CST

From Race Weekend to Regular Customer: The Dirt Circus Retail Effect

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Carrie Meng
UltraSignup / Dirt Circus
Events Director

Reading the Floor: Turning Sales Signals into Buying Decisions

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Ben Anderson
Karnan Associates
Run Specialty Consultant

Exit Ready, Always: The 10 Things That Decide What Your Store Is Worth Without You

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

Many run specialty stores still depend too heavily on the owner for daily decisions, team direction, and problem solving. That creates bottlenecks, burnout, and limits growth. In this session, you will learn how to build

…
Read More
Pete Mohr
Simplifying Entrepreneurship
Founder

The Mobile Retail Blueprint: Taking Your Store on the Road

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Micheal Giddens
Sidewalk Athletics
Founder / Coach
Frank DeJulius
Fleet Feet Cincinnati
Owner
Tue Dec 1
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
CST

Better Together: Creating Win-Win Partnerships Between Run Clubs and Running Stores

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM CST

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. 

…
Read More
Mark Jimenez
(Moderator)
Red Rock Running Company
Owner
Haylee Fuentes
GRACE Run Club
Founder
Michael Rivarde
Las Vegas Chapter of Black Men Run / The Red Rock Running Company
Captain / Manager
Tue Dec 1
4:45 PM - 5:30 PM
CST

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Disrupting the Course: What's Next in Running

4:45 PM - 5:30 PM CST

OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!

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

…
Read More
Ashley Mateo
(Moderator)
RUNHER Magazine
Founder / Editor
Tommie Runz
Creator
Scott Maguire
On
President / COO
Wed Dec 2
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
CST

Building Loyalty Through Belonging: Lessons from The Rut Mountain Runs

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST

Presented by the Rut Mountain Runs, HOKA, 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

…
Read More
Phil Dumontet
(Moderator)
Brooksee
CEO
Mike Foote
Rut Mountain Runs
Owner / Race Director
Kati Burton
The Rut Mountain Runs
Operations Manager
Adam Peterman
HOKA
Professional Trail Runner
Leah Campau
The North Face
Events Manager
Wed Dec 2
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
CST

Courting the Non-Runner: A Prime Opportunity for Specialty Retailers

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Ian Servantes
(Moderator)
Footwear News / Fairchild Media
Senior News Writer
Wed Dec 2
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
CST

Trail Access + the Power of Community to Protect It

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST

Presented by Patagonia, Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), and The Conservation Alliance (TCA) 

Protecting and advocating for trail and public land access is critical for the enjoyment of our wild spaces - now and

…
Read More
Corey Simpson
(Moderator)
Patagonia
Product and Sport PR Manager
Rebecca Gillis
The Conservation Alliance
VP of Government Affairs & Advocacy
Abigail Hollie
Running Industry Diversity Coalition
Senior Program Manager / Creator of RIDC's THE COOKOUT
Wed Dec 2
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
CST

Built to Last: How Brands, Athletes, and Retailers Create Longevity in Trail Running

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST

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

…
Read More
George Plomarity
(Moderator)
KEEN Running
Director of Business Development
Wed Dec 2
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
CST

The Head Nod: Recognition, Reciprocity, and Partnerships That Last

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Ashlee Green
RUNGRL
Chief Executive Officer / Co-Founder
Tasha Young
Playmakers
Diversity + Inclusion Manager
Brittany Brass
Urban Run Club STX
Founder / Executive Director
Wed Dec 2
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
CST

Switchback Social

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST

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 are driving the outdoor industry forward. Mingle with outdoor specialty retailers,

…
Read More
Thu Dec 3
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
CST

2027 Consumer Outlook: What Brands & Retailers Need to Know

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Kent Ebersole
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
President
Thu Dec 3
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
CST

The Trail Ahead: Consumer & Industry Trends Shaping Trail Running

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST

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 panel brings together

…
Read More
Steve Holmberg
(Moderator)
Insight Accelerator
Founder / Managing Director
David Callahan
UltraSignup
Co-CEO
Jenny Karn
Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA)
Senior Director
Tue Dec 1
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
CST

DEEP DIVE: The Store Is the Product: Turning Your Retail Space Into a Competitive Advantage

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Holly Wiese
3 Dots Design, Inc.
Founder / Visual Visionary

DEEP DIVE: KPI Kitchen: A Recipe for the KPIs That Actually Matter

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
David Durkin
Karnan Associates
Co-Owner
Ben Anderson
Karnan Associates
Run Specialty Consultant

DEEP DIVE: If AI Can’t See You, Runners Won’t Either: A Guide to AI Visibility for Retailers, Brands & Events

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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 results alone. They're being

…
Read More
Jenna Klein Jonsson
Blaze Partners
Principal, Managing Director
Emily Fidrych
Blaze Partners
Associate Media Director

DEEP DIVE: The Partnership Playbook: Building a Running Store Your Community Can't Replace

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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 than

…
Read More
Jinnie Austin
(Moderator)
Creative Intelligence Co.
Founder / Fractional CMO

DEEP DIVE: Risk Management for Community Engagement: Protecting Your Store Beyond Its Walls

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Jean Knaack
Road Runners Club of America
CEO

DEEP DIVE: Sports Bra Fit, Function & Retail Mastery

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Tish Tily
She Science
Managing Director / Co-Founder

DEEP DIVE: Beyond Margin: A Discovery Workshop on Smarter Retail Profitability

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Melodie van der Baan
Max Retail
Co-founder / CEO
Tue Dec 1
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
CST

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Twenty Lessons from Twenty Years of Run Specialty

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Jim Weber
(Moderator)
Brooks (Formerly)
Author, Advisor, Speaker & Former CEO
Parker Karnan
Karnan Associates
Founder
Ted Metellus
New York Road Runners
Chief Event Production Officer and Race Director
Betsy Hughes
Track Shack
Co-Owner
Tue Dec 1
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
CST

Stop Competing, Start Coordinating: A Retailer's Guide for Building a Stronger Running Community

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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 sport.

This

…
Read More
Greg Koch
605 Running Company
Owner

Go the Distance: Creating Teams That Stay - and Believe - in Where They Work

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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 from

…
Read More
Toni Reese
Running Lab
Co-Owner
Jacob Sapienza
Running Lab
Floor Manager

Fit Stool Philosophies: How Top Specialty Retailers Turn the Fit into a Sale

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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 

…
Read More
Danny Smith
(Moderator)
Running Insight
Senior Writer
Bob Dyer
Running Niche
Co-Owner
Eric Fruth
Columbus Running Company
Co-Owner
Allie Vincent
Swags
CEO / Co-Owner

Outfit Your Local Teams and Clubs: In-House Spirit Shops for Independent Retailers

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Eric Contreras
Runners Plus
Owner / CEO
Tue Dec 1
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
CST

From Race Weekend to Regular Customer: The Dirt Circus Retail Effect

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Carrie Meng
UltraSignup / Dirt Circus
Events Director

Reading the Floor: Turning Sales Signals into Buying Decisions

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Ben Anderson
Karnan Associates
Run Specialty Consultant

Exit Ready, Always: The 10 Things That Decide What Your Store Is Worth Without You

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

Many run specialty stores still depend too heavily on the owner for daily decisions, team direction, and problem solving. That creates bottlenecks, burnout, and limits growth. In this session, you will learn how to build

…
Read More
Pete Mohr
Simplifying Entrepreneurship
Founder

The Mobile Retail Blueprint: Taking Your Store on the Road

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Micheal Giddens
Sidewalk Athletics
Founder / Coach
Frank DeJulius
Fleet Feet Cincinnati
Owner
Tue Dec 1
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
CST

Better Together: Creating Win-Win Partnerships Between Run Clubs and Running Stores

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM CST

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. 

…
Read More
Mark Jimenez
(Moderator)
Red Rock Running Company
Owner
Haylee Fuentes
GRACE Run Club
Founder
Michael Rivarde
Las Vegas Chapter of Black Men Run / The Red Rock Running Company
Captain / Manager
Tue Dec 1
4:45 PM - 5:30 PM
CST

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Disrupting the Course: What's Next in Running

4:45 PM - 5:30 PM CST

OPEN TO ALL BADGE HOLDERS!

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

…
Read More
Ashley Mateo
(Moderator)
RUNHER Magazine
Founder / Editor
Tommie Runz
Creator
Scott Maguire
On
President / COO
Wed Dec 2
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
CST

Building Loyalty Through Belonging: Lessons from The Rut Mountain Runs

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST

Presented by the Rut Mountain Runs, HOKA, 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

…
Read More
Phil Dumontet
(Moderator)
Brooksee
CEO
Mike Foote
Rut Mountain Runs
Owner / Race Director
Kati Burton
The Rut Mountain Runs
Operations Manager
Adam Peterman
HOKA
Professional Trail Runner
Leah Campau
The North Face
Events Manager
Wed Dec 2
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
CST

Courting the Non-Runner: A Prime Opportunity for Specialty Retailers

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Ian Servantes
(Moderator)
Footwear News / Fairchild Media
Senior News Writer
Wed Dec 2
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
CST

Trail Access + the Power of Community to Protect It

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST

Presented by Patagonia, Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), and The Conservation Alliance (TCA) 

Protecting and advocating for trail and public land access is critical for the enjoyment of our wild spaces - now and

…
Read More
Corey Simpson
(Moderator)
Patagonia
Product and Sport PR Manager
Rebecca Gillis
The Conservation Alliance
VP of Government Affairs & Advocacy
Abigail Hollie
Running Industry Diversity Coalition
Senior Program Manager / Creator of RIDC's THE COOKOUT
Wed Dec 2
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
CST

Built to Last: How Brands, Athletes, and Retailers Create Longevity in Trail Running

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST

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

…
Read More
George Plomarity
(Moderator)
KEEN Running
Director of Business Development
Wed Dec 2
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
CST

The Head Nod: Recognition, Reciprocity, and Partnerships That Last

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM CST

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

…
Read More
Ashlee Green
RUNGRL
Chief Executive Officer / Co-Founder
Tasha Young
Playmakers
Diversity + Inclusion Manager
Brittany Brass
Urban Run Club STX
Founder / Executive Director
Wed Dec 2
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
CST

Switchback Social

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST

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 are driving the outdoor industry forward. Mingle with outdoor specialty retailers,

…
Read More
Thu Dec 3
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
CST

2027 Consumer Outlook: What Brands & Retailers Need to Know

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST

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

…
Read More
Kent Ebersole
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
President
Thu Dec 3
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
CST

The Trail Ahead: Consumer & Industry Trends Shaping Trail Running

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST

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 panel brings together

…
Read More
Steve Holmberg
(Moderator)
Insight Accelerator
Founder / Managing Director
David Callahan
UltraSignup
Co-CEO
Jenny Karn
Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA)
Senior Director

Session Previews

Below are six #TRE25 education sessions. Our team will continue to update this page as program details are finalized.
Are You Running Your Business or Is It Running You?

Overview

Use the toggles for an overview of TRE education focuses and target audiences.
Program Highlights

The Running Event 2026 education will center around the theme “Celebrating Run Specialty: Now and Tomorrow.”

This year’s program will come to life through actionable content and interactive learning opportunities designed to help run and outdoor specialty professionals navigate today’s evolving retail landscape and prepare for the future.

Preview TRE 2026 Education

Below are several education session previews for a look at some of the content you’ll find at TRE this year. Our team will continue to update this page as program details are finalized. Check back often!
Fit Stool Philosophies: How Top Specialty Retailers Turn the Fit into a Sale

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: 

  • Explore different approaches to the shoe-fitting process, including how staff make recommendations, pull footwear models and help the customer reach a confident decision 
  • Discover various strategies to build customer trust, secure the sale and navigate distinct customer types, such as the indecisive consumer or the price-conscious shopper  
  • Learn how successful run shops leverage fit stool interactions to drive additional sales, including socks, insoles, apparel, nutrition, accessories and other in-store items 

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.

Key Takeaways:

  1. A practical framework for balancing margin against turnover – at the item level – so you can spot underperformers early and know when product should move instead of sit
  2. The hidden costs of aging inventory – how it erodes vendor relationships and quietly shapes how customers see your store
  3. Strategies to improve cash flow and reinvest in higher-performing inventory, using point-of-sale data and other techniques

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: 

  • Market your mobile program and land the accounts, events, and partnerships that put your store in front of new customers 
  • Run the day-to-day logistics of an activation, from load-in to load-out, so every event goes smoothly and profitably 
  • Recognize what a successful activation looks like, and how to convert on-site engagement into repeat store traffic and sales 

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:

  • Increase awareness among non-runners and walkers 
  • Market effectively to this consumer — and what doesn’t work
  • Build the right product assortment 
  • Create a welcoming and inclusive in-store experience for all 

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:

  • Discover why trail is one of the industry’s highest-value categories, and how events and authentic connection to the sport build a loyal, returning customer base for retailers and brands alike
  • Learn how brands and retailers grow the sport through long-term partnerships, local community investment, and welcoming more participants onto the trails
  • See what athlete longevity reveals about keeping participants invested over time, and how today’s leaders can establish a strong trail running culture to influence the next wave of trail runners

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.

Education Progam Overview

Use the toggles for an overview of TRE education focuses and target audiences.

Program Highlights

2026 program topics 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.

For the first time, TRE will organize Day One education programming into five focus areas: Buying & Merchandising, Leadership & Store Operations, Sales & Customer Experience, Marketing & Innovation, and Events & Community. Attendees can build a session lineup around individual business and career goals for an intentional, easy-to-navigate day of learning. 

In addition to Store Owners, Managers, and Sales Associates, here is a short list of roles that benefit from attending TRE education sessions:

  • Buyers & Merchandise Planners
  • Community Outreach & Engagement teams
  • Customer Service & Client Experience Managers
  • E-Commerce teams
  • Event Management Professionals
  • Graphic Designers & Content Creators
  • Human Resources & Talent Management teams
  • Inventory Control Specialists
  • Marketing teams – digital, print, social & influencer
  • Operations Leads
  • Visual Merchandisers & Retail Designers
  • Non-profit Organizations

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.

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

“As we look toward TRE’s 20th anniversary, our goal isn’t just to keep the momentum of this industry going; it’s to accelerate it. In 2026, we’re challenging ourselves and our attendees to think beyond the four walls of a store while reimagining what education, connection, and community can look like at this year’s event.”
Caitlin Ewing
TRE Sr. Content Manager

Session Previews

Below are six #TRE25 education sessions. Our team will continue to update this page as program details are finalized.
Are You Running Your Business or Is It Running You?

Overview

Use the toggles for an overview of TRE education focuses and target audiences.
Program Highlights

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