The Running Event 2026
The Running Event 2026 takes place on 2–3 December 2026 at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Texas. B2DB lists 115 speakers and 52 sessions announced so far.
The Running Event (TRE), launched in 2006, is a run and outdoor specialty retail conference and trade show for footwear, apparel, gear and services. The 20th edition takes place December 1-3, 2026 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, with a conference education program, exhibit hall, product demonstrations, networking events and the Industry Awards. Switchback at The Running Event showcases outdoor brands.
Key facts
| Dates | 2–3 December 2026 (upcoming) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Texas, United States of America |
| Series | The Running Event |
| Speakers | 115 |
| Sessions | 52 |
| Stages | Marketing & Innovation, Leadership & Store Operations, Events & Community, Buying & Merchandising, Sales & Customer Experience, Buying & Merchandising; Events & Community; Leadership & Store Operations; Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience, Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience, Events & Community; Marketing & Innovation, TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall, Events & Community; Leadership & Store Operations, Buying & Merchandising; Sales & Customer Experience, Buying & Merchandising; Events & Community, Events & Community; Sales & Customer Experience, Stars at Night Ballroom |
| Sponsors | 6 |
| Official site | therunningevent.com/education-program |
Speakers (115)
Compiled from the published agenda; speakers can claim and verify their own entry.
- Jenna Klein Jonsson Principal / Managing Director, Blaze Partners
- Josh Rosenthal Founder, Borderlands Trail Running & The Outrider Office of Strategy
- Adam Stepanovic CEO / Co-Founder, DashLX
- Ashlee Green Chief Executive Officer / Co-Founder, RUNGRL
- Ashley Mateo Founder / Editor, RUNHER Magazine
- Brian Bell Vice President of Global Communications and Social Impact, Strava
- Carol Holland Co-Founder, Haraka Run & Walk
- Carrie Meng Events Director, UltraSignup / Dirt Circus
- Corey Simpson Product and Sport PR Manager, Patagonia
- George Plomarity Director of Business Development, KEEN Running
- Ian Servantes Senior News Writer, Footwear News / Fairchild Media
- Jinnie Austin Founder / Fractional CMO, Creative Intelligence Co.
- LaCheryl Ameer-Bey Founder, Bey Speaks
- Maggie Butterfield Co-Owner, Karnan Associates
- Mark Jimenez Owner, Red Rock Running Company
- Phil Dumontet CEO, Brooksee
- Rachel Bambrick Founder / Executive Director, Women In Ultrarunning
- Rebecca Mehra Vice President of Public Affairs, Monument Advocacy
- Ryan Fenton General Manager, FloTrack
- Steve Wittek President of Sustainability & Business Development, Sneakers4Good
- Terence Gerchberg Chief Development Officer, Back on My Feet
- Parker Karnan Founder, Karnan Associates
- Amanda Smith CEO Co-founder, Monday Creative Inc
- Steve Moore Owner & Founder, Run Moore
- Hannah Stoughton Founder, Rendezvous Run
- Jenny Karn Senior Director, Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA)
- Stacy Chick Director of Sales, Altra Running
- Abigail Hollie Senior Program Manager / Creator of RIDC's THE COOKOUT, Running Industry Diversity Coalition
- Adam Peterman Professional Trail Runner, Rut Mountain Runs
- Adam Pugh Senior Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
- Allie Vincent CEO / Co-Owner, Swags
- Alysia Montaño Founder / President, For All Mothers+
- Ashley Dyson Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, ASICS
- Beth Goldstein Industry Advisor, Footwear, Circana
- Betsy Hughes Co-Owner, Track Shack
- Bob Dyer Co-Owner, Running Niche
- Brittany Brass Founder / Executive Director, Urban Run Club SATX
- Brogan Graham Founder / Creative Director, Outward Agency
- Burke Beck Founder / Co-Owner, Red Coyote Running
- Chris Farley Co-Founder / SVP, Relay Goods / Recommerce - Redo
- Claire Wood Vice President, Footwear Product Strategy, Brooks
- Cody Angell Founder / Co-Owner, St. Pete Running Company
- Corinne Shalvoy Founder, Women Can.
- Dan Schade Vice President / General Manager, Americas, On
- Dane Simmons Owner, Run In
- David Callahan Co-CEO, UltraSignup
- David Durkin Co-Owner, Karnan Associates
- Emilia Fabbro Owner / Director of Operations / Apparel Buyer, Fleet Feet Montclair
- Emily Fidrych Associate Media Director, Blaze Partners
- Eric Contreras Owner / CEO, Runners Plus
- Eric Fruth Co-Owner, Columbus Running Company
- Frank DeJulius Owner, Fleet Feet Cincinnati
- Gaby Arvizu CEO / President, Students Run LA (SRLA)
- Greg Koch Owner, 605 Running Company
- Gwen Jones Fit Specialist, Philadelphia Runner
- Gwen Poppe Manager, A Snail's Pace Monrovia
- Haylee Fuentes Founder, GRACE Run Club
- Holly Wiese Founder / Visual Visionary, 3 Dots Design, Inc.
- Jacob Sapienza Floor Manager, Running Lab
- Jason Hammel Co-Manager, Trailhead Running Supply
- Jason Jabaut President, Fleet Feet
- Jason LaRose CEO, Bombas
- Jean Knaack CEO, Road Runners Club of America
- Jen McLaren Global Brand President, Altra Running
- Jenny Simpson Chief Running Officer, Fleet Feet
- Jessica Murphy Co-Founder, BibRave
- Joe Lourenco President / Owner, A Snail's Pace Running Shop
- Joey Holley Marketing Manager, The Running Well Store
- Kaitlin Heck Chief Marketing Officer, Mascot Sports
- Karla Estudillo Fuentes Partnerships and Program Activation Manager, Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC)
- Kate Mihevc Edwards Running Medicine PT, RUNsource / Precision Performance & Physical Therapy
- Kati Burton Operations Manager, The Rut Mountain Runs
- Kelly O'Cadiz COO, Pacers Running
- Kent Ebersole President, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
- Kevin Fitzpatrick Global Vice President of Running and Outdoor, New Balance
- Kevin Meehan Founder, Neighbor Running
- Kiera Smalls Executive Director, Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC)
- Kim Levinsky Trail Party Director, Sassquad Trail Running
- Lauren Pope Manager, Mountain Running Company
- Leah Campau Events Manager, The North Face
- Luis Negron Maintenance Supervisor, Pennrose
- Madison Moroder Director of Marketing, Mascot Sports
- Melodie van der Baan Co-Founder / CEO, Max Retail
- Michael Rivarde Captain / Manager, Black Men Run Las Vegas / Red Rock Running Company
- Micheal Giddens Founder / Coach, Sidewalk Athletics
- Mike Billish SVP, General Manager Americas, Brooks Running
- Mike Foote Owner / Race Director, Rut Mountain Runs
- Mireille Siné Founder / Run Coach, Coached by Mireille
- Nathan Watt Chief Executive Officer, Back on My Feet
- Nikki Hiltz Olympian / Professional Runner, Sponsored by lululemon and COROS
- Nils Arne Altrogge Senior Director of Innovation, On
- Pablo Gil Co-Founder, Metta Running House
- Paul Hendricks Executive Director, The Conservation Alliance
- Peter Ruppe Co-Founder / Chief Operating Officer, Avelo
- Phil Anthony General Manager, 361 Degrees USA
- Ric Ross Owner, Big Peach Running Co., South Fulton
- Ross Martinson Owner, Philadelphia Runner
- Sarah Lesko Founder / Executive Director, Bras for Girls
- Scott Goodyear Community Engagement Manager, BackRoads Brews + Shoes
- Scott Maguire President / COO, On
- Sharon Tejada Owner / Coach, Purple Runner Performance LLC
- Shawn Sullivan Executive Director, Running USA, Inc.
- Sheena Wells Co-Owner / General Manager, Aardvark Sports Shop
- Sheridan Spychalski Account Manager, New Balance
- Stephan Scholten Global Vice President of Running and Outdoor, Adidas
- Taryn Graham Owner, Snoqualmie Running
- Tasha Young Diversity + Inclusion Manager, Playmakers
- Ted Metellus Chief Event Production Officer / Race Director, New York Road Runners
- Tish Tily Managing Director / Co-Founder, She Science
- Tom Mansfield President / COO, Charm City Run
- Tommie Runz Storyteller / Co-Founder, PR Project
- Toni Reese Co-Owner, Running Lab
- Trey Hardee Athlete, FloTrack, "Athlete's Lounge"
- Tricia Vieth Manager, Runners Roost
- Vince Sherry Owner, Run Flagstaff
Most represented companies
- On — 3 speakers
- Altra Running — 2 speakers
- Back on My Feet — 2 speakers
- Blaze Partners — 2 speakers
- Fleet Feet — 2 speakers
- Karnan Associates — 2 speakers
- Mascot Sports — 2 speakers
- New Balance — 2 speakers
- Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) — 2 speakers
- Philadelphia Runner — 2 speakers
Agenda (52 sessions)
Day 1 — Tuesday 1 December 2026
- DEEP DIVE: The Partnership Playbook: Building a Running Store Your Community Can’t Replace 09:30–11:00 · Marketing & Innovation — Jinnie Austin, Stacy Chick, Dane Simmons, Emilia Fabbro +3 more
- DEEP DIVE: If AI Can’t See You, Runners Won’t Either: A Guide to AI Visibility for Retailers, Brands and Events 09:30–11:00 · Marketing & Innovation — Jenna Klein Jonsson, Emily Fidrych
- DEEP DIVE: KPI Kitchen: A Recipe for the KPIs That Actually Matter 09:30–11:00 · Leadership & Store Operations — David Durkin
- DEEP DIVE: Risk Management for Community Engagement: Protecting Your Store Beyond Its Walls 09:30–11:00 · Events & Community — Jean Knaack
- DEEP DIVE: Sports Bra Fit, Function and Retail Mastery 09:30–11:00 · Buying & Merchandising — Tish Tily
- DEEP DIVE: Beyond Margin: A Discovery Workshop on Smarter Retail Profitability 09:30–11:00 · Sales & Customer Experience — Melodie van der Baan
- DEEP DIVE: The Store Is the Product: Turning Your Retail Space Into a Competitive Advantage 09:30–11:00 · Buying & Merchandising — Holly Wiese
- FEATURED PRESENTATION: Twenty Lessons from Twenty Years of Run Specialty 12:00–13:00 · Buying & Merchandising; Events & Community; Leadership & Store Operations; Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience — Parker Karnan, Betsy Hughes, Jenny Simpson, Ted Metellus
- From Search to Storefront: How Fixing Our Online Store Grew Our In-Store Traffic 13:30–14:15 · Marketing & Innovation — Joey Holley
- Redefining Access in Running: Data, Partnership, and Community 13:30–14:15 · Marketing & Innovation — Brian Bell, Alysia Montaño, Kiera Smalls
- Go the Distance: Creating Teams That Stay – and Believe in Where They Work 13:30–14:15 · Leadership & Store Operations — Jacob Sapienza, Toni Reese
- Show Up Culturally, Win Locally: Connecting with Gen Z 13:30–14:15 · Events & Community — Kaitlin Heck, Madison Moroder
- Stop Competing, Start Coordinating: A Retailer’s Guide for Building a Stronger Running Community 13:30–14:15 · Events & Community — Greg Koch
- Running’s Fashion Era: Turning Style Trends Into Sell-Through 13:30–14:15 · Buying & Merchandising — Josh Rosenthal, Hannah Stoughton
- AI Forum: Sustaining Customer Trust in the Age of AI 13:30–14:15 · Sales & Customer Experience — Jenna Klein Jonsson, Steve Moore, Taryn Graham
- From Race Weekend to Regular Customer: The Dirt Circus Retail Effect 14:30–15:15 · Events & Community — Carrie Meng, Hannah Stoughton, Jason Hammel, Ric Ross +1 more
- Reading the Floor: Turning Sales Signals into Buying Decisions 14:30–15:15 · Buying & Merchandising
- Finding Your Stride: Women’s Leadership Panel and Networking Event 14:30–16:30 · Leadership & Store Operations — Maggie Butterfield, Claire Wood, Gwen Poppe, Jen McLaren +2 more
- Fit Stool Philosophies: How Top Specialty Retailers Turn the Fit Into a Sale 14:30–15:15 · Sales & Customer Experience — Allie Vincent, Bob Dyer, Eric Fruth
- Running USA Reveals: Top Insights for Event Professionals from the Global Runner Survey and Beyond 14:30–15:15 · Events & Community — Shawn Sullivan
- The Mobile Retail Blueprint: Taking Your Store on the Road 14:30–15:15 · Marketing & Innovation — Frank DeJulius, Micheal Giddens
- Lost in Translation: Bridging the Gap Between Healthcare, Specialty Retail, and the Runner 15:45–16:30 · Sales & Customer Experience — Kate Mihevc Edwards
- Better Together: Creating Win-Win Partnerships Between Run Clubs and Running Stores 15:45–16:30 · Events & Community — Mark Jimenez, Haylee Fuentes, Michael Rivarde
- Who’s Running, What’s Selling: Connecting Participation to Purchase Behavior 15:45–16:30 · Buying & Merchandising — Jenny Karn, Beth Goldstein
- Four Marketing Bets Every Running Business Should Make in 2027 15:45–16:30 · Marketing & Innovation — Amanda Smith, Brogan Graham
- Outfit Your Local Teams and Clubs: In-House Spirit Shops for Independent Retailers 15:45–16:30 · Marketing & Innovation — Eric Contreras
- More Than a Store: Run Specialty Anchoring Third Spaces 15:45–16:30 · Leadership & Store Operations — Carol Holland, Cody Angell, Kevin Meehan, Scott Goodyear
- FEATURED PRESENTATION: Disrupting the Course: What’s Next in Running 17:00–17:45 · Buying & Merchandising; Events & Community; Leadership & Store Operations; Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience — Ashley Mateo, Nikki Hiltz, Pablo Gil, Scott Maguire +1 more
Day 2 — Wednesday 2 December 2026
- A New Era in Marketing: How Brands and Retailers Can Leverage Media Partnerships 09:00–09:30 · Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience — Ryan Fenton, Dan Schade, Jason Jabaut, Trey Hardee
- Building Loyalty Through Belonging: Lessons from The Rut Mountain Runs 10:00–10:30 · Events & Community; Marketing & Innovation — Phil Dumontet, Adam Peterman, Kati Burton, Leah Campau +1 more
- TRE Studio: PR Project 10:30–11:30 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- The Power of Mentorship 11:00–11:30 · Events & Community; Leadership & Store Operations — LaCheryl Ameer-Bey, Stacy Chick, Burke Beck, Jessica Murphy +1 more
- 2027 Consumer Outlook: What Brands and Retailers Need to Know 12:00–12:30 · Buying & Merchandising; Sales & Customer Experience — Adam Pugh, Kent Ebersole
- TRE Studio: For Real, Though Podcast 12:30–13:30 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- Growing a Running Industry for Girls: Where the Next Generation Begins 13:00–13:30 · Events & Community — Rebecca Mehra, Gaby Arvizu, Sarah Lesko
- Lace Up, Show Up: How Running Rebuilds Lives 14:00–14:30 · Events & Community — Terence Gerchberg, Jason LaRose, Luis Negron, Nathan Watt +1 more
- TRE Studio: Earthmovers Podcast 14:30–15:30 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- Make It, Buy It, Sell It: The Wearable Data Behind Every Runner Relationship 15:00–15:30 · Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience — Josh Rosenthal, Adam Stepanovic, Mike Billish, Peter Ruppe +1 more
- Trail Access and the Power of Community to Protect It 16:00–16:30 · Events & Community — Corey Simpson, Abigail Hollie, Paul Hendricks
- TRE Studio: Long Run Labs Podcast 16:30–17:30 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- TRE Studio: PR Project 17:45–18:00 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
Day 3 — Thursday 3 December 2026
- Built to Last: How Brands, Athletes, and Retailers Create Longevity in Trail Running 09:00–09:30 · Buying & Merchandising; Events & Community — George Plomarity
- TRE Studio: PR Project 09:30–10:30 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- The Head Nod: Recognition, Reciprocity, and Partnerships That Last 10:00–10:30 · Events & Community; Marketing & Innovation — Ashlee Green, Ashley Dyson, Brittany Brass, Tasha Young
- The Trail Ahead: Consumer and Industry Trends Shaping Trail Running 11:00–11:30 · Events & Community; Sales & Customer Experience — Jenny Karn, David Callahan
- From Store to Start Line: Practical Sustainability Goals for Run Specialty 12:00–12:30 · Leadership & Store Operations — Steve Wittek, Chris Farley, Lauren Pope, Nils Arne Altrogge
- Courting the Non-Runner: A Prime Opportunity for Specialty Retailers 13:00–13:30 · Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience — Ian Servantes, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ross Martinson, Stephan Scholten
- TRE Studio: PR Project 13:30–14:30 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- Women in Ultrarunning: Closing the Participation Gap 14:00–14:30 · Marketing & Innovation; Sales & Customer Experience — Rachel Bambrick, Corinne Shalvoy, Gwen Jones, Karla Estudillo Fuentes +2 more
- TRE Studio: NPS Winner Announcement 15:00–15:10 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- TRE Studio: Jogology Award Announcement 15:10–15:40 · TRE Studio, Booth 15119, Exhibit Hall
- 2026 Industry Awards Dinner 18:00–21:00 · Stars at Night Ballroom
Organisers, sponsors and partners
Sponsors (6)
Balega · Asics · On · Nike · Solomon · New Balance
Media Partner (1)
Association Partners (7)
Running USA · Road Runners Club of America · The Conservation Alliance · Outdoor Industry Association · Running Industry Association · Running Industry Diversity Coalition · National Shoe Retailers Association
Exhibitors (49)
Superfeet · Lightspeed · Hyperice · Amazfit · OOFOS · Chirp · ChicknLegs · Balega · Feetures · Aetrex · Berghaus · Fabletics · Asics · Shenzhen Etie Technology LTD. · Altalist · Safely · TEVA · Precision Hydration · instinct · CentricSoftware · CamelBak · HIRACER · On · Nike · Solomon · FootBalance · Patagonia · FOAMWELL LIMITED · Under Armour · Reco · The North Face · New Balance · Goodr · GOFLUO · Skechers · Vuori · Max Retail · SAXX · Mount to Coast · trevi · GU Energy Labs · Shokz · Rabbit · Celerant Technology · Swoop · Betterguards · UltrAspire · Tailwind Nutrition · lululemon
Supporting Partners (10)
The Magic Boost · For All Mothers+ · Native Women Run · RUNGRL · empowerun · Bras for Girls · UltraSignup · Rising Hearts · Back on My Feet · Warrior Trail Foundation
Other editions of The Running Event
- The Running Event 2027 1 December 2027 – 2 December 2027
All editions of The Running Event
Source: the published agenda. See how B2DB compiles its records.