NEW ORLEANS — From footwear to apparel to hydration to technology, Diversified’s Switchback — the outdoor-focused expansion of The Running Event that launched in 2022 — caters to the needs of the industry’s specialty brands, retailers, media and organizations focusing on hard and soft goods.
Last year, the show launched its first standalone event, attracting 1,286 attendees representing 41 states. It hosts editions twice a year, in fall and spring.
“The first edition of the event in 2025 was a successful launch,” Switchback Event Director Sean Smith said. “Since then, Switchback has continued to listen closely to the outdoor industry, learning what their current opportunities and challenges are, and building the event based on those learnings.”
This approach led to another successful spring edition on June 16-18, 2026. Switchback Spring welcomed retailers from 1,300 stores in 46 states, along with 235 brands covering nearly 40,000 square feet of exhibit space — a 31% increase in hall space from last year. Additionally, the show’s exhibitors increased by 21%.
New Location, New Experiences
One of the adjustments Switchback Spring made based on last year’s feedback was a change in venue from Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, which Smith says elevated the experience.
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“The new venue was selected based on feedback from Switchback partners, brands and specialty retailers, as well as the desire of the show organizers, for a venue with more flexibility and additional capabilities that can support the event’s continued growth,” Smith said. “The vibrant host city also added to the overall event experience.”
Switchback Spring enhanced its education as well, which included programming that addressed the skills needed to garner long-term success in the outdoor industry. Created in conjunction with Outdoor Industry Association, session topics covered leadership and change management, AI, supply chain management, merchandising, and outdoor culture and community.
“The education programming is stronger than ever, and the team received overwhelming positive feedback on the value of the content,” said Smith. “The sessions are truly created for outdoor specialty retailers, so attendees were able to walk away with real, actionable insights for their businesses.”
Additionally, Switchback Spring introduced three featured sessions that all badge holders could participate in.
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“These special sessions covered some of the timeliest, most pressing topics in the outdoor industry, from participation trends and the importance of protecting public lands, to creating accessible outdoor experiences for all,” Smith added.
More Access to New Brands
Another new feature introduced to Switchback Spring this year was Pathfinders, an experience on the show floor dedicated to a curated collection of retail-ready young brands.
This part of the show, which was produced with Garage Grown Gear and Founded Outdoors, allowed attendees and highlighted companies to connect in a way they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to.
“Many new, emerging brands don’t yet have the scale, time or visibility to show up at major trade events on their own,” Smith said. “Yet so often, these brands are offering the most innovative products in the outdoor market.”
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