This December marks the return of The Running Event, a conference and expo for running specialty retailers in North America, scheduled to take place Dec. 3 to 6, 2013, at the Austin Convention Center. The event provides a lively, interactive and educational environment for 2,000 running industry professionals to learn the latest on new shoes, apparel, accessories and nutrition for millions of runners.
This is TRE’s 8th year in Austin and will include exhibits from an estimated 250 running industry manufacturers.
On Dec. 4, keynote speaker Howard Behar, author of It’s Not About The Coffee, will discuss the 10 principles that guided his leadership as a senior executive for Starbucks. Another session on Dec. 4 will examine how and why investment dollars are currently flowing into the running industry, with Paul Fireman, founder of Reebok, Scott Dickey, CEO of the Competitor Group, and Jeff Phillips, CEO of Fleet Feet.
Brand new this year: ASICS brings its NEXT program for store managers, buyers and sales associates on Dec. 3, with an eye on developing the next generation of leaders in the running specialty industry.
Jim Dion will address store owners on negotiating skills on Dec. 3; that same day, Kelly McDonald’s presentation for sales staff and managers will provide advice on how to become more relevant to consumers.
The Independent Running Retailer Association (IRRA) will hold inductions into the Running Specialty Hall of Fame on Dec. 4; on Dec. 5, North America’s fastest retailer will be decided during a 5K race in Zilker Park; and the 50 Best Running Stores in America will be named by Competitor magazine on Dec. 5.
“We think we’ve put together a great combination of educational seminars, product introductions, and networking opportunities in one of America’s premier cities for runners,” says Mark Sullivan, co-founder of The Running Event and editor-in-chief of Running Insight magazine. “We love having The Running Event in the capital of Texas, and the response from exhibitors and attendees has indicated they do too.”
