Switchback Spring headliners to include adventurer Griffin Post, ‘Best Day Ever’ film screening, and debut of OIA’s 2026 Participation Report

April 29, 2026

NEW ORLEANS (April 29, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Switchback Spring, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry, this week unveiled three spotlight presentations for its upcoming event (June 16-18, 2026) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Designed to spur meaningful conversations and collective action, Switchback Spring’s featured presentations include the public lands perspectives of world-class adventurer Griffin Post; a changemaking screening of ‘Best Day Ever’ telling the story of the first-ever adaptive mountain bike trail network (2025 Banff Mountain Film Festival Best Mountain film and Audience Choice Winner); and the debut of Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) 2026 Participation Report.

While the featured voices of Switchback Spring will vary widely in their specific messages, they share a clear common thread: They aim to leave the outdoor industry community thinking differently about who’s getting outside, how they’re getting outside, and the places making that possible.

“Outdoor businesses have known for decades that the key to growth hinges on getting more people outside, more often. But within that simple idea are the more complex topics of participation, access and public lands. To bring those threads together, Switchback Spring’s featured speakers will deliver actionable insights—identifying ways that brands and retailers can leverage the latest participation data to grow their businesses, showcasing the fundamental need to create more outdoor access for all, and highlighting the critical call to action to keep public lands in public hands,” said Sean Smith, Switchback Event Director.

Two-time U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Champion and The North Face athlete Griffin Post will headline one of the event’s marquee conversations (Protecting Our Terrain: Adventure, Risk, and the Value of Our Public Lands; Wednesday, June 17, 8:30 – 9:30 AM). Post will share firsthand perspective on what adventure has taught him about preparation, decisiveness, and showing up when it matters most. He’ll be joined by leaders from The Conservation Alliance and The North Face for a frank discussion on the state of public lands in 2026 and how outdoor businesses can translate mission statements into meaningful action in their communities.

“The terrain I’ve spent my career exploring exists because people fought to protect it,” said Post. “This session is about making sure the next generation of athletes, guides, and outdoor enthusiasts still have wild places to go. If we’re serious about adventure, we have to be serious about the land that makes it possible.”

A different perspective on access and adventure is at the heart of the film screening and panel discussion of ‘Best Day Ever’, which follows adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi as they navigate life after spinal cord injuries with humor, grit, and independence (‘Best Day Ever’ — A Blueprint for Building More Inclusive Outdoor Communities; Tuesday, June 16, 4:30 – 5:45 PM). This inspiring story of adaptive athletes is also a blueprint for the outdoor industry to lower barriers to entry in meaningful, lasting ways. Following the screening, Switchback Marketing Manager Joe Jackson will lead a panel discussion with the film’s Co-Director and Producer Berne Broudy and Associate Producer and Adaptive Athlete Gregory Durso.

“We made ‘Best Day Ever’ to create change. We hope it inspires anyone who sees it to think about how they can make their community more welcoming and that it shifts how we look at and interact with people with disabilities,” said Broudy.

Another highly anticipated featured session will be the latest data analysis from OIA Director of Research Kelly Davis, diving deep on who is getting outside, how participation is evolving, and what these shifts mean for brands and retailers (Who’s Getting Outside: Participation Trends Shaping the Outdoor Market; Tuesday, June 16, 12:00 – 1:00 PM). The session will cover demographic trends, the fastest-growing outdoor activities, an update on core and casual consumers, and how to translate participation growth into business strategy—essential data for retailers to connect with new consumers, build brand loyalty, and remain at the forefront of what to buy and stock for the seasons ahead.

“The outdoor participant base has grown significantly in recent years, and the profile of that participant has changed dramatically. Retailers who understand those shifts will be better positioned to serve them, and that’s exactly what this session is built to do,” said Davis.

The three featured sessions are open to all registered Switchback Spring attendees, exhibitors, and media. To register, book hotels, or learn more, 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. Held at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback takes place each fall in conjunction with The Running Event (TRE) 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.