Switchback Forms Advisory Board

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Switchback Forms Advisory Board

10/31/2024
PORTLAND, MAINE – Switchback, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry community, has established an advisory board to help support and guide its standalone gathering in Nashville, TN, in June, and the co-located gathering at The Running Event. The board will advise Switchback on education, networking, and growth opportunities while representing the needs and challenges of the outdoor industry. The initial members of the advisory board represent key segments of the outdoor industry including retailers, brands, independent sales representatives, non-profits, 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 event director. "Their input will be critical for us to create and deliver the most valuable experience possible.”

Members of the Switchback Advisory Board include:

Matt Burbach, VP of Marketing, Mountain Hardwear
Kent Ebersole, President, Outdoor Industry Association
Laura Jones, SE – Territory Manager, Beast Coast Sales
Leta Kalfas, President/CEO, MtnStuff
Hannah Mathews, Partnerships & Program Director, The Futurist Project
Ed McAlister, President, River Sports Outfitters
Scott Owen, Director of Global Business Development, KEEN Footwear
Joe Power, President/ CEO, Crown Enterprises dba Sportsman and Ski Haus / Tri State Outfitters
Peter Sachs, General Manager, LOWA Boots LLC
Lauren Salzinger, Vice President & GMM, Apparel & Accessories – Public Lands, Dicks Sporting Goods
Ken Taylor, Sr. Director, Outdoor, The North Face
Joshua Tedeschi, Senior Manager, US 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, Tennessee (June 16-18, 2025), where the two organizations will work together 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 and emerging issues, and deep connections throughout the outdoor industry community.

Switchback originally launched in fall of 2022 as a specialty outdoor showcase at The Running Event (TRE), North America’s premier run and outdoor specialty retail conference and trade show. Earlier this summer, the event organizers announced the addition of Switchback Spring, 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 – and 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.

Upcoming dates and locations for Switchback include Austin, Texas (Switchback at TRE, November 19-21, 2024); and Nashville, Tennessee (Switchback Spring, June 16-18, 2025).

ABOUT SWITCHBACK
Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry owned and operated by Diversified Communications, 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 at TRE (Nov. 19-21, 2024; Austin, TX), and Switchback Spring (Nashville, TN; June 16-18, 2025). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.SwitchbackEvent.com.

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