Switchback at TRE delivers energetic mix of brands, ideas, and community as outdoor industry gathering continues building toward June

December 10, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (December 10, 2025) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Switchback at The Running Event (TRE), the fall gathering for the outdoor industry, wrapped up its fourth annual event last week with high energy, steady retailer traffic, and a growing community of dedicated outdoor industry businesses.

Hosted on a central area of the show floor, Switchback at TRE attracted 60 exhibiting companies, a broad mix of run and specialty outdoor retailers, and a stacked education calendar including panels on the importance of brands in protecting natural places led by Paul Hendricks of The Conservation Alliance, the business imperative of sustainability led by Julie Brown and Kelly Davis of Outdoor Industry Association, and a live podcast recording with the Rock Fight crew.

Switchback at TRE was also notable for the growing sense of community among attending companies – big and small – that supports the role of outdoor industry gatherings for both individual business needs as well as overall industry health.

“For a new brand like ours, there’s a lot of camaraderie in being a part of a bigger experience like this. We’ve seen a lot of retailers, both big and small, but we’ve also learned so much from seeing other small brands like ours rolling out new ideas and getting traction,” said Linnae O’Neil, Paradis Sport director of community.

“Being in the mix with a diverse array of brands is really helpful for us as an emerging brand. It’s been high quality retailer conversions and honestly been a good quantity of them as well,” said John Schade, Dry Brew founder.

“Being part of a broad and diverse range of brands is what makes this work for us. It’s essential that we make it worth a retailer’s time to leave their store,” said Sydney Lambert of Patagonia.

“Our goals for Switchback were to elevate our brand around our 30th anniversary and do a little business, as well as to support the event and its value to the outdoor community. We’ve been able to do all that and more,” said Megan Fulton, Toad & Co. national sales manager.

The intentional blend of established “legacy” brands and smaller “emerging” brands seen during Switchback at TRE has been a hallmark of the event since its inception, and is a trend that will continue as planners look toward the event’s next installation: Switchback Spring (June 16-18; New Orleans, LA).

In addition to a broad main floor that includes numerous cornerstone brands – such as Merrell, The North Face, Rumpl, Smartwool, Scarpa, Mammut and Darn Tough – a special section of Switchback Spring known as “Pathfinders” will be dedicated to a curated collection of retail-ready young brands.

Created in partnership with Founded Outdoors and Garage Grown Gear, the Pathfinders zone at Switchback Spring is open to brands that have been in business less than 10 years with up to $5m/year in annual sales. In addition to being located on a spotlight portion of the show floor, Pathfinders exhibitors receive a variety of pre-show and on-site marketing support. Pathfinders is capped at 30 total brands, with limited spots remaining. Confirmed participants include Gossamer Gear, Hikerkind, Gear envy, Symbiosis, Alpine Fit, Recpak, FKT and others.

“For any successful industry event, the mix is what matters most. We’ve been very intentional in growing the show with both high demand brands as well as a strong collection of small, business-ready companies. When you have that critical mass of both brands and retailers, it really sets the stage for essential industry conversations,” said Beth Gordon, Switchback Director of New Business Development.

For more information on exhibiting at Switchback and the Pathfinders zone, please contact Beth Gordon (bgordon@divcom.com).

For more information on Switchback, please visit www.switchbackevent.com.

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 Spring (June 16-18; New Orleans, LA) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 1-3, 2026; San Antonio, TX). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.