Switchback, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry community, established its new advisory board. The advisory board was created to help support and guide its standalone gathering in Nashville in June, co-located with The Running Event.
The board will advise Switchback on education, networking and growth opportunities while representing the needs and challenges of the outdoor industry. Initial members represent key segments of the outdoor industry: retailers, brands, independent sales representatives, nonprofits and industry organizations.
“We appreciate that these industry leaders are willing to lend their time and expertise to support our team in shaping Switchback,” said Christina Henderson, Switchback’s event director. “Their input will be critical for us to create and deliver the most valuable experience possible.”
Members include:
- Matt Burbach (VP of marketing, Mountain Hardwear)
- Kent Ebersole (president, OIA)
- Laura Jones (SE – territory manager, Beast Coast Sales)
- Leta Kalfas (president and CEO, MtnStuff)
- Hannah Mathews (partnerships and program director, The Futurist Project)
- Ed McAlister (president, River Sports Outfitters)
- Scott Owen, director of global business development, KEEN Footwear)
- Joe Power (president and CEO), Crown Enterprises dba Sportsman and Ski Haus / Tri State Outfitters)
- Peter Sachs (GM, LOWA Boots)
- Lauren Salzinger (VP & GMM, apparel and accessories – public lands, Dicks Sporting Goods)
- Ken Taylor (senior director, outdoor, The North Face)
- Joshua Tedeschi (senior manager, U.S. specialty sales, Arc’teryx)
“The formation of the Switchback advisory board comes at a pivotal time for our industry,” said Kent Ebersole, OIA president. “Together, we have the opportunity to shape the future of how we gather as an industry in ways that will catalyze meaningful change. I look forward to collaborating with the board to ensure that the outdoor industry remains a leader in innovation and a force for good for both people and the planet.”
Switchback and OIA recently announced a year-round partnership, to debut at the inaugural Switchback Spring in Nashville, Jun. 16-18. Together, the two organizations will work to build a comprehensive foundation for industry growth, connection and learning. OIA will collaborate with Switchback at both the strategic and tactical level, enhancing the event with key learnings from leading outdoor industry data, legacy knowledge of essential, emerging issues and deep connections throughout the outdoor industry community.
Switchback originally launched in the Fall of 2022 as a specialty outdoor showcase at The Running Event (TRE). Earlier this summer, the event organizers announced the addition of Switchback Spring as a new standalone gathering to be held each June during a key time in the Spring/Summer buying calendar.
Both Switchback at TRE and Switchback Spring are intentionally focused on foundational outdoor experiences, are hosted in central locations that are welcoming to all parts of the country and are scheduled in the optimal timeframe for valuable buying conversations. Both events also welcome the attendance of multiple categories of outdoor industry members, including specialty retailers, brand leaders, traditional and new media, content creators, influencers and organizations.
In addition to a robust exhibition space, Switchback’s event format is based on four pillars: learning, discovery, connection and celebration. Each gathering provides a strong schedule of forward-looking conference programming and peer learning that is applicable and valuable to multiple business levels and positions.
Switchback’s format incorporates all facets of the show within a single dedicated space, including the exhibit hall, group meals, education sessions, networking events, and attendee housing. The event will enable both private planned meetings as well as serendipitous run-ins with new industry connections and longtime friends.
