The outdoor industry in the United States is undergoing a profound transformation. For decades, the Outdoor Retailer (OR) was the main gathering point for the sector, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, the show lost momentum, attendance dropped, and in its most recent editions, it no longer featured the major brands of the industry. This gap opened space for a new event to take the spotlight: Switchback, launched in 2025 as the new leading national trade show.
With a more intimate format, a focus on specialty retail, and a program that combines product exhibitions, education, and community building, Switchback is already seen as the future of outdoor trade shows in the U.S.
Switchback Spring 2025
The end of an era and the beginning of another
Outdoor Retailer defined an era. For years, it was *the* place where brands, retailers, and distributors met. I personally attended several editions since 2004, alternating between the OR in the U.S. and OutDoor in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Although the American show focused more on the domestic market, it always served as an essential stage for discovering trends and strengthening connections.
Photo from Outdoor Retailer 2004, United States
But the pandemic accelerated a crisis already in motion. With rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and the growth of digital channels, OR lost ground. The latest editions showed an empty show floor, without the major brands that once set the tone. The industry was left without a central, relevant meeting point.
And it wasn’t just in the U.S. A similar situation occurred in Europe: the traditional OutDoor, which had already been incorporated by ISPO, also lost momentum. In 2025, the organization announced a pause in the OutDoor by ISPO show, after low exhibitor and visitor participation, planning a possible return in 2026. ISPO itself had to rethink its format and underwent a complete overhaul, repositioning itself as a broader business platform connecting different segments of sports and lifestyle. This movement reinforces that the traditional trade show model has been challenged worldwide.
It is within this context that Switchback emerges, bringing back the energy and anticipation that many industry veterans had been missing.
Switchback Spring 2025 – Max Photography, Austin
What is Switchback?
Switchback was born out of The Running Event (TRE), a trade show specialized in running. After a “test run” in November 2024 within TRE, it held its independent debut in June 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Numbers from the first edition:
- 1,300 participants
- 194 exhibiting brands
- 290 retailers from 41 states and 9 countries
- 2,787 m² of exhibition space
A solid start, but the most important aspect was the sense of reunion — the feeling that the industry finally had a vibrant place to connect again.
What makes Switchback different?
Switchback positions itself clearly and strategically:
- In-person connection first – After years of virtual meetings, the show gave the industry back the chance for face-to-face encounters, something many describe as “the soul of the sector.”
- Intimate and inclusive format – Booths were limited to 6.1m x 6.1m, leveling the field between major brands like Merrell, The North Face, and Arc’teryx and emerging companies. This ensured that no one was “overshadowed” by massive marketing budgets.
- Focus on specialty retail – Small retailers took center stage, with discussions on real challenges such as Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policies and tight margins in the face of direct brand discounts. The goal is to build community through local initiatives — from running clubs to happy hours.
- Relevant educational content – Panels and talks covered topics such as tariffs, sustainability, partnership strategies, and consumer behavior. Jim Weber, former CEO of Brooks Running, opened the event speaking about the industry’s “moment of change.”
- New look at the consumer – Kelly Davis, from the Outdoor Industry Association, presented a segmentation into Core (5.1%), Active (49.7%), and Casual (42%). The message: it’s not enough to speak only to “hardcore” enthusiasts. The strength of the market lies in the Active and Casual audiences, who also seek well-being and nature-based experiences.
- Strategic partnerships – The show partners with OIA, Leave No Trace, 1% for the Planet, and The Conservation Alliance, reinforcing its alignment with conservation, diversity, and inclusion themes.
Switchback Spring 2025 – Max Photography, Austin
What the organizers say: lessons from the first edition
In an interview with the Rock Fight podcast – *The Switchback Post Mortem*, Christina Henderson, director of Switchback, highlighted three key points:
- The event’s energy was so strong that even brands that didn’t participate were talking about it in the weeks that followed.
- The main challenge for 2026 will be establishing Switchback as a fixed event on the calendar, not just a novelty.
- The long-term vision is for Switchback to be more than “three days in a convention center” — to become an ongoing connection platform, with content, data, and networking throughout the year.
These statements reinforce the idea that Switchback aims to be more than just a trade show — it wants to become the new hub of the outdoor industry.
Switchback vs Outdoor Retailer: who leads today?
Outdoor Retailer still exists and continues to hold editions — OR Summer 2025, for example, gathered over 290 exhibitors. However, the event no longer includes the major outdoor brands, compromising its relevance as the “main trade show.” Switchback, on the other hand, arrived with a streamlined, modern, and collaborative format, quickly winning over retailers, suppliers, and key associations. In practice, it is taking on the role OR once had: the industry’s central meeting space, but now adapted to a new reality.
When and where are the next editions?
- Switchback @ TRE 2025: December 2–4, in San Antonio, TX.
- Switchback Spring 2026: June 16–18, in New Orleans, LA.
Conclusion: a promising future
Switchback is already being recognized as “the trade show the industry needed.” Its inclusive format, educational focus, and emphasis on specialty retail immediately resonated with attendees.
I haven’t attended the show yet, but I have a feeling I’ll relive the energy of the great trade shows of the past — only in a more human and connected format.
As Christina Henderson said, the success of Switchback will be measured by the energy and atmosphere it creates — and judging by its debut, the future looks bright.
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