NASHVILLE — Diversified held the first standalone edition of Switchback, a gathering for outdoor retailers, brands and media representatives previously only held in conjunction with The Running Event (TRE), from June 16-18 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
The inaugural Switchback Spring attracted 1,286 attendees from 41 states and hosted 46 speakers and 26 education sessions.
“Switchback builds on the positive momentum of the fall gathering at TRE,” Genae Salinas, Senior Marketing Manager at Diversified, said. “Over the last three years, the event has experienced robust growth in attendance from outdoor retailers, media and brand leaders in backpacking, apparel and footwear. And while interest in Switchback at TRE is growing, it is important that TRE continues to be run-centered as Switchback expands. By creating a twice-yearly home for its growing core attendees and exhibitors, Switchback is openly welcoming the sizable population of outdoor industry members who have lapsed from regular attendance at open national trade events.”
The Switchback team formed partnerships with relevant organizations to inform its debut edition. Trade Show Executive (TSE) checked in with Heidi Johnston, Partnerships Project Manager at Diversified, to see how these collaborations helped Switchback Spring launch effectively and platform diverse voices.
Selecting Partners
“Switchback Spring partners were chosen for their commitment to making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all,” Johnston said. “We looked for organizations doing the work — creating space for underrepresented communities, sharing stories that reflect the full outdoor experience and breaking down barriers through community programs, equitable storytelling and environmental stewardship.”
The show’s team hosted a pre-event webinar for its partners, sharing goals, aligning on values and providing the space for dialogue about what inclusion and representation should look like at the event.
Related. Pride Month 2025 with Diversified
Key Collaborations
“Their presence benefits attendees in real and tangible ways, sparking important conversations, shaping the educational content and offering opportunities for deeper engagement with the issues that matter most,” Johnston explained. “Whether it’s learning how to take action on conservation, getting involved in local food initiatives or connecting with efforts to make the industry more inclusive, these partnerships help create a more meaningful and connected experience for everyone at the show.”
Learn about Diversified’s partners — and get perspectives from Johnson on how they benefited the event and its audience — below:
1. LGBTQ Outdoors: “Partnering with LGBTQ Outdoors strengthens the heart of the show. It brings in voices that have too often been left out of the outdoor industry and helps create a space where more people feel seen and supported. Their involvement goes beyond simple visibility — it’s about the meaningful work they do every day to connect queer communities with the outdoors. It reminds us that building a more inclusive outdoor community is about who’s in the room, who’s shaping the conversations and who feels at home there.”
2. Nashville Food Project: “The Nashville Food Project is doing vital work around food justice and sustainability in our host city, reminding us how local community care connects to broader environmental impact.”
3. 1% for the Planet: “1% for the Planet continues to push the industry toward deeper environmental responsibility through business and nonprofit collaboration.”
4. The Conservation Alliance: “The Conversation Alliance brings powerful momentum to the protection of wild places through collective advocacy.”
5. The Running Industry Diversity Coalition: “The Running Industry Diversity Coalition is helping lead the way in making the outdoors—and the industry behind it — more equitable and inclusive.”
Switchback’s next edition will be at TRE from Dec. 2-4, 2025, in San Antonio, while Switchback Spring 2026 will take place June 16-18 in New Orleans.
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