December 2-4, 2025 | Henry B. González Convention Center | San Antonio, TX

2025 Education Program

2025 Education Program

The Running Event 2025 education program will center on the theme Better Together: Uniting the Running Industry, brought to life through action-driven content and dynamic learning experiences.
We’ve gathered session proposals from diverse voices across the industry to share insights with our passionate run and outdoor specialty retail community—including store owners, managers, buyers, merchandisers, sales associates, marketers, HR professionals, event directors, and more.
This page will continue to be updated as our team finalizes the 2025 program.

Ready to Join Us?

Registration is open for #TRE25.

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?

You started with a passion for running, but now you’re stuck in the weeds of doing the books, fighting the fires, even sweeping the floors. If it feels like you’re sprinting on a treadmill with no finish line, you’re not alone. This interactive session will help you tackle your biggest operational headaches using the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®). You’ll walk away with practical tools to regain control, boost profits, and build a healthier team. 

Presented by Anne Schoolcraft, EOS Implementor, EOS Worldwide 

Today’s consumers interact with your store long before they walk through the door—and long after they leave. This workshop combines Dynamic Footwear Specialist training with strategies to meet the modern runner across all touchpoints: digital discovery, in-store experience, and post-purchase engagement. You’ll learn how to build a staff that’s confident in both biomechanics and relationship-building. Through hands-on demos and guided discussion, we’ll explore how service, science, and personalization intersect in the modern journey. Walk away with tools to strengthen your team and enhance every step of your customer’s path. 

Speakers:

  • Matthew Gawors, CEO, Confluence Running
  • Jenna Gawors, COO, Confluence Running
  • Kaylee Stone, Regional Manager, Confluence Running

In this dynamic 45-minute session, Joe Robinson of Werun313 and Cara Cross of Gazelle Sports delve into the essential elements that transform a simple run group into a thriving, impactful community. Drawing from the real-world success of Werun313 and their partnership with Gazelle Sports, this session will explore four ways to grow and sustain your running community: Socializing, Charity, Commerce, and Performance. Designed for run club leaders, aspiring organizers, and retail professionals, each attendee will walk away with strategies to drive engagement, cultivate collaboration and influence growth in their running networks. 

Speakers:

  • Joe Robinson, Co-Founder, WeRun313
  • Cara Cross, Co-Owner / Chief Marketing Officer, Gazelle Sports

Discover the blueprint for success in today’s evolving run specialty landscape. The Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) returns with a dynamic session that brings together brands, retailers, and their community partners to discuss their impactful collaborations that redefine on-the-ground engagement and build long-term consumer loyalty. 

Through a series of powerful, short-form presentations, presenting companies will share real-world examples of how community-centered collaborations have helped them reach new audiences, strengthen trust, and stay competitive in an increasingly values-driven market. Learn about what authentic partnership really means — and why it’s essential to the future of the industry.

This session will feature key speakers invited by the RIDC. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and inspiration to create or build upon their own impactful partnerships, ensuring a thriving future for the run specialty industry.

Presented by Running Industry Diversity Coalition

 

Join the co-founders and co-creators of Take the Lead Retreat—Alison Mariella Désir, Martha Garcia, and Jessica Murphy—for a conversation on what it takes to build and sustain authentic community within the running and outdoor industries. 

Together, they’ll explore how meaningful, equitable relationships can be a catalyst for both personal and professional growth. With deep experience spanning advocacy, strategy, brand leadership, and entrepreneurship, they bring a multidimensional perspective to community-building and leadership. 

The panelists will share lessons learned from creating spaces that center belonging and offer reflections from past Take the Lead events, highlighting how the retreat has helped women in the industry feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead.

Speakers:

  • Alison Mariella Désir, Speaker, Activist, and Community Builder; Take The Lead Co-Founder 
  • Martha Garcia, Marketing Strategist & Storyteller; Take The Lead Co-Founder
  • Jessica Murphy, Bibrave Co-Founder; Take The Lead Co-Founder
  • Abigail Hollie (Sharpless), Senior Program Manager, Running Industry Diversity Coalition; Creator of RIDC’s THE COOKOUT 

The Planning Your Best Buy workshop will walk buyers through how to properly define the category and role, establish targets, identify areas of growth and decline, determine strategies and tactics, and identify key needs. This workshop will include an introduction to the Retail Planning Cycle and the category strategy process. Participants will be provided with a template and will create a category strategy for a category of their choosing during the workshop. 

Speakers:

  • Maggie Butterfield, Co-Owner, Karnan Associates 
  • David Durkin, Co-Owner, Karnan Associates 
  • Ben Anderson, Karnan Associates 

Overview

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

2025 focus areas will include running culture & community, consumer & customer behavior, leadership, money management strategies, apparel & accessories opportunities, buying & selling best practices, digital advancements & retail efficiencies, and more.

In addition to Store OwnersManagers 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 & Race Directors
  • Graphic Designers & Content Creators
  • Human Resources & Talent Management teams
  • Inventory Control Specialists
  • Marketing teams – digital, print, social & influencer
  • Operations Leads
  • Visual Merchandisers & Retail Designers

Located in the exhibit hall, the Training Camp Theater is an engaging and casual presentation space open to all. Attendees and exhibitors will access relevant and impactful education from a lineup of thoughtfully selected presenters. Stay tuned for the theater lineup, coming soon!

Education Progam Overview

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

Program Highlights

2025 focus areas will include running culture & community, consumer & customer behavior, leadership, money management strategies, apparel & accessories opportunities, buying & selling best practices, digital advancements & retail efficiencies, and more.

In addition to Store OwnersManagers 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 & Race Directors
  • Graphic Designers & Content Creators
  • Human Resources & Talent Management teams
  • Inventory Control Specialists
  • Marketing teams – digital, print, social & influencer
  • Operations Leads
  • Visual Merchandisers & Retail Designers

Located in the exhibit hall, the Training Camp Theater is an engaging and casual presentation space open to all. Attendees and exhibitors will access relevant and impactful education from a lineup of thoughtfully selected presenters. For this year’s theater lineup, click here.

"The Running Event’s education program provides an unmatched opportunity to connect with and learn from peers, industry leaders, and subject matter experts. In 2025, we are doubling down on interactive and action-oriented content to ensure attendees leave with tangible takeaways they can implement immediately.”
Caitlin Ewing
TRE Conference Manager

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