PORTLAND, MAINE (September 15, 2026) –   Switchback, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry, this week announced the initial list of confirmed education sessions at The Running Event (TRE). 

Led by a broad range of retailer-focused topics from A.I.-informed marketing to cutting-edge merchandising tactics, and supported by a strong roster of industry voices – including both official event partner Outdoor Industry Association as well as The Conservation Alliance – Switchback at TRE is delivering tangible events with real value for outdoor industry businesses seeking growth. 

By building its forward-looking outdoor educational slate on top of the historically successful foundation of the running industry’s largest and most energetic gathering, Switchback at TRE has taken another positive step forward in refining – not just reimagining – its role as the national gathering for the outdoor industry. 

“For brands and retailers looking for growth more than guessing, Switchback at TRE is the right place to be. It stands on a solid and proven event foundation, it has an unmatched combination of legacy brands and retail-ready new faces, and it has been crafted from the ground up to be an opportunity factory for all attendees,” said Sean Smith, Switchback event director. 

Switchback at TRE will be held December 1-3, 2026, in San Antonio, TX, at the Henry B. González Convention Center.  The gathering will open with a dedicated retail education day (Dec. 1), followed by two days of retailer and brand meetings with educational sessions continuing on the main exhibition floor.   

A selection of confirmed exhibitors in the Switchback section of the event floor include Berghaus, Chaco, Cotopaxi, Crocs, Danner, Free Fly Apparel, Gossamer Gear, Huckberry, KEEN, Klean Kanteen, LOWA Boots, Mammut, Patagonia, Scott Sports, SKIDA, Smartwool, Sunkski, TEVA, The North Face and Toad & Co.  A selection of outdoor brands on the main TRE floor include Arc’teryx, Birkenstock, Brooks, Buff, CamelBak, Darn Tough Vermont, Garmin, Goodr, GU Energy Labs, Hydrapak, Hoka, La Sportiva, LEKI USA, Lems, Merrell, MiiR, On, Petzl, prAna, Salomon, Saucony, Sea to Summit, Superfeet, Suunto, Tifosi Optics, and Vuori. 

Confirmed presenters in the TRE Education program include representatives from Outdoor Industry Association, The Conservation Alliance (TCA), The North Face, KEEN, Circana, The Rut Mountain Run, Max Retail, Blaze Partners, Karnan Associates, Strava, and others. A selection of scheduled sessions include: 

• KPI Kitchen: A Recipe for KPIs That Actually Matter, presented by Karnan Associates on Day One; Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 AM. 

• Beyond Margin: A Discovery Workshop on Smarter Retailer Profitability, presented by Max Retail on Day One; Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 AM. 

• If AI Can’t See You, Runners Won’t Either: A Guide to AI Visibility for Retailers, Brands & Events, presented by Blaze Partners on Day One; Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 AM. 

• The Mobile Retail Blueprint: Taking Your Store on the Road, presented by Sidewalk Athletics on Day One; Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 PM. 

• A New Era in Marketing – How Brands and Retailers Can Leverage Media Partnerships, presented by Flo Sports on Day Two; Wednesday, Dec 2 at 9 AM. 

• Trail Access + the Power of Community to Protect it, presented by Patagonia, RDIC, and TCA on Day Two; Wednesday, Dec 2 at 1 PM. 

• The Trail Ahead: Consumer & Industry Trends Shaping Trail Running, presented by UltraSignup on Day Three; Thursday, Dec. 3 at 11 AM. 

 For updates on education at Switchback at TRE and The Running Event, visit  TRE Education Program | Switchback. 

To register for TRE and Switchback at TRE, visit www.therunningevent.com/register. 

ABOUT SWITCHBACK 

Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry owned and operated by Diversified, 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 at TRE (Dec. 2-4, 2025; San Antonio, TX) and Switchback Spring (June 16-18; New Orleans, LA). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.switchbackevent.com. 

About Outdoor Industry Association 

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth while protecting — and growing access to — the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.