PORTLAND, Maine (January 15, 2025) – Switchback Spring, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry community, has received a wave of brand commitments ahead of registration opening next week. The initial agenda has also been released for the event taking place June 16-18, 2025, in Nashville, TN.
“What we’re hearing from the 70-plus brands already committed to Switchback is that while supporting a gathering for the outdoor community is important, specific business motives are also driving their decision to exhibit,” said Christina Henderson, Event Director, Switchback. “There’s a lot of optimism in the outdoor market as we head into 2025, and we’re ready to be the space where that momentum translates into business and new opportunities.”
The first day of Switchback Spring features educational programming including keynote presentations, leadership and executive insights, and various other informational sessions targeted to outdoor specialty retailers and their team. The following two days move to the exhibit hall where retailers, brands, media, and industry professionals can connect to discover new products, share trends, and explore new brands. To see the schedule-at-a-glance visit this page.
In the coming months, Switchback will announce keynotes and featured speakers as well as a detailed schedule of the presentations taking place during the education day and on the exhibit floor.
To date, more than 70 brands have committed to exhibiting at Switchback Spring, including Altra, Arcteryx, Biolite, Birkenstock, Cotopaxi, Helinox, Liberty Mountain, LifeStraw, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Rumpl, Scarpa, Teva, The North Face, and Toad & Co., among others. A complete list of attending brands will be posted on the Switchback website in the coming weeks.
“We believe there is strong business value in gathering in real life, and Switchback Spring is a great opportunity for us to get reacquainted with many of our customers,” said Matt Burbach, VP of Marketing, Mountain Hardwear. “Simultaneously, Switchback Spring provides the opportunity to create new connections and relationships that will fuel our growth along with the industry’s as a whole.”
Registration for Switchback Spring will open the week of January 20, 2025. Those interested in attending will be able to register through the Switchback website: www.switchbackevent.com. Registration is open to retailers, media, and outdoor industry professionals; for details about available passes and pricing, visit this page.
Switchback Spring will be hosted within a dedicated portion of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, a spacious venue with 12 restaurants and an attached premium hotel. With all attendees staying and meeting in a single location, the focused environment will enable both private planned meetings as well as organic meetups and run-ins.
For more information about Switchback, please visit www.switchbackevent.com/switchback-spring/.
Brands interested in exploring exhibiting opportunities can contact Christina Henderson at chenderson@divcom.com.
About Switchback
Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry owned and operated by Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Scheduled at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback is held each fall in conjunction with The Running Event and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with a schedule of education, peer connection opportunities, and business meetings, Switchback is a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates for the event include Switchback Spring (Nashville, TN; June 16-18, 2025) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 2-4, 2025; San Antonio, TX). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.
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