European Athletics, Running Industry Alliance (RIA) and Running USA reported that the organizations entered into a partnership “to enhance the global running industry’s business landscape in showcasing innovation and growth within the B2B running industry.”

As part of their alliance, the three running business conferences produced by each organization either annually or biennially will support each other with “best practices, cross-promotion, content, suppliers, services

and sponsors to “build bridges and connections for industry leaders, stakeholders and members to access networking opportunities, discussions and access to insights and trends shaping the global running industry.”

“Delivering value to Running USA members and sharing the successes of those members with the global industry are key goals of this organization,” said Jay Holder, executive director of Running USA. “We are excited about the increased output of content, best practices and productive conversations that will come with working closely with our friends and partners at Running Industry Alliance and European Athletics.”

Running USA will offer a member rate to all members of the RIA. It will also provide reciprocity on select member benefits with RIA in the UK and Ireland offering the same for Running USA members.

“Running USA is a non-profit organization committed to the growth and success of the running industry. Our promise is to deliver quality education, exceptional industry content, valuable research and ample networking opportunities. We connect. We support. We educate. Running USA brings together an entire community. As the voice of endurance running, we’re all about connection and collaboration. Whether we’re connecting race organizers with sponsors, partners and athletes, or connecting our members with vital information and best practices, our goal is to raise the profile of running and help more people get more out of it,” the group wrote in a release.

“Together, we will empower businesses, foster collaboration, and inspire positive change within the running industry business ecosystem. We all complement each other through conference connection and focus, and we will create greater reach by a collaborative approach whilst still remaining independent to our members, associations and alliances.” said Rebecca Richardson, co-lead of RIA for the UK and Ireland.

“RIA UK and Ireland is a member-based independent national trade organization built for purpose for the UK and Ireland Running Industry, and with the aim to collectively assist RIA Members to drive the Running Industry forward to improve the Sport and Business of Running. RIA brings together defined verticals of the Running Industry landscape, including brands, retailers, events, charities, communities, media, NGB’s, services, suppliers, buying groups and distributors,” the RIA wrote in a combined release.

The RIA organizes the Running Conference presented by Haku, which takes place on December 8, 2024, in the UK. It is said to be the 

largest annual RIA member in-person meet-up and features content specifically and purposely curated for RIA members based on topics that are relevant, timely and impactful for the sport and business of running.”

“European Athletics shares a vision with Running USA and Running Industry Alliance on the continued growth and development of running,” commented European Athletics CEO Christian Milz. “It is a critical branch of our sport, through which we can engage with a wide demographic of people, explore wider commercial opportunities and provide a valuable service to members of the running community across the world.

European Athletics describes itself as “the continental [European] governing body for the sport of athletics. Founded in 1970, the organization is responsible for the international administration of the sport across 51 member federations and staging many of Europe’s most important athletics competitions, including the European Athletics Championships and European Athletics Indoor Championships.”

The group’s European Running Business Conference (ERBC) is organized by European Athletics and founded in 2017 with the aim of “being one of the world’s pivotal gathering points for running industry specialists.” Now a biennial event, the ERBC reportedly “attracts professionals from every corner of the globe who come together to explore, innovate and shape the future of running.”

“The European Running Business Conference (ERBC) brings together major race organizers, our member federations, suppliers, and running media every two years so that we have a stronger and larger running industry in Europe,” added Milz. “Together with RIA and Running USA, we look to expand the influence of the ERBC and its partners globally by sharing knowledge and resources with our colleagues from the UK, Ireland and the USA. We look forward to collaborating closely on our Global Running Conferences to deliver best practices and be at the forefront of the international running industry.”

B2B running conference upcoming dates are as follows:

  • European Running Business Conference, November 8-10, 2024, Athens, Greece
  • The Running Conference, presented by Haku, December 8-10, 2024, Loughborough, UK, for the UK and Ireland running industry.
  • Running USA Industry Conference, presented by Haku, February 2-4, 2025, Louisville, KY, for endurance running events, vendors, non-profits, media and others in the running industry.

Image courtesy Running USA