Switchback welcomes Sean Smith as Event Director

January 28, 2026

PORTLAND, Maine (January 28, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Diversified today announced the selection of Sean Smith as Switchback event director, tapping the experienced and collaborative leader to take the helm of the outdoor industry’s rising business and education gathering.

Smith will be tasked with driving Switchback’s continued growth, building on its long-term vision, and nurturing the community of businesses and organizations that attend and exhibit at the national event. Smith will work closely with the event’s previous director – Christina Henderson – who was recently promoted to Vice President, Endurance Portfolio at Diversified USA and oversees strategy for both Switchback and The Running Event (TRE).

“Sean is the right choice at the right time, bringing a combination of community-building experience and a deep understanding of the outdoor industry. He’s a tremendous addition to the Switchback team, and we’re thrilled to have him on board,” said Henderson.

“For more than a year, the outdoor community has felt the momentum of Switchback building. You could see it happening through the impressive lineup of committed brand partners, as well as the invaluable endorsement of Outdoor Industry Association,” said Smith. “What really sealed the deal for me joining the Switchback world was the opportunity to work with this team. The mix of experience and passion here is contagious, and I cannot wait to get to work.”

Smith brings more than two decades of experience to his new role with Switchback and a proven track record of trade event leadership. For the past three years Smith served as Outdoor Retailer’s Show Director, before which he worked with Elastic Suite.

A lifelong surfer and cyclist, Smith spent 20 years with the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA), where he served as Executive Director beginning in 2001. Prior to SIMA, Smith was the marketing director for Surfer, Powder, Snowboarder, and Bike Magazines.

The next installment of Switchback Spring is scheduled for June 16-18, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Registration and housing selection for the 2026 event is now open to retailers, media, and outdoor industry professionals at www.switchbackevent.com/register.

Switchback Spring 2026 already has more than 150 leading brands committed to exhibit, including Merrell, Snow Peak, The North Face, Stio, Teva, and Cotopaxi.

Switchback Spring will open with a full day of educational programming featuring presentations, leadership and executive insights, and practical sessions tailored to outdoor specialty retailers and their teams. The following two days move to the exhibit hall, where retailers, brands, media, and industry professionals will connect to discover new products, share trends, and engage with both established and emerging brands.

For more information on Switchback Spring visit www.switchbackevent.com.

To congratulate Sean, or to inquire about exhibiting at Switchback Spring, contact him directly at ssmith@divcom.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. Held at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback takes place each fall in conjunction with The Running Event and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with robust education, peer connection, and business meetings, Switchback serves as a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates include Switchback Spring (June 16–18, 2026; New Orleans, LA) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 1–3, 2026; San Antonio, TX). To learn more, contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.