OPEN TO ALL BADGEHOLDERS!
Presented by Running Industry Diversity Coalition
How do brands, retailers, and athletes build the trust, loyalty, and representation needed to keep the run specialty industry thriving? This session will be grounded in real-world partnerships and convenes leading voices across the industry to explore what it really takes to reach new audiences and sustain authentic connections.
Through a dynamic fireside chat format, participants will hear firsthand from athletes, retailers, and brand leaders about:
- How athlete storytelling and product knowledge shape consumer trust
- What authentic community engagement looks like – beyond sponsorships
- Why representation and intentionality matter in the future of retail and brand partnerships
Takeaways:
1.) How lived experiences and storytelling create deeper product and community connections.
2.) Concrete ways retailers and brands can collaborate with athletes, run crews, influencers, and community organizations to expand their reach authentically.
3.) Why representation and intentional partnership are business imperatives, not optional add-ons, for the future of run specialty.
This session is open to all badgeholders and attendees will walk away with concrete ways retailers and brands can collaborate with athletes, run crews, influencers, and community organizations to expand their reach authentically.
