Fitness is Booming, But Events are Struggling: 2023 Running USA Industry Conference Focuses on Regaining Ground

November 29, 2022

Exciting industry panel, groundbreaking research on Gen Z runners announced for must-attend event in Denver

Denver (Nov. 29, 2022) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Running USA today releases additional speakers and programming for the 2023 Industry Conference presented by Race Roster, set for Feb. 12-14, 2023, including a compelling industry panel that will discuss the state of road races.

Not registered yet? Do that here. A price increase is set for Dec. 1.

“We’re planning the 2023 conference content based on the challenges the running industry faces right now,” said Christine Bowen, COO of Running USA. “Participating speakers will bring actionable insight to every session, and we’re especially excited for this global panel with top industry leaders.”

Additional speakers have been added to the Monday, Feb. 13 Global State of the Sport – An Industry Panel. Leaders Renee Washington of USATF, Alessio Punzi of World Athletics, and Jean Knaack of RRCA will convene to discuss where running is today and the challenges – and solutions – to come.

• Renee Washington is Chief Operating Officer of USATF, where she manages the multi-million-dollar budget and 60 person staff.
• Alessio Punzi is Road Running Manager for World Athletics, the international governing body for road running and track and field.
• Jean Knaack is the Chief Executive Officer of the Road Runners Club of America, where she has served in the role since 2005.

Also on Feb. 13, Running USA will present the results of a study on Gen Z runners commissioned in conjunction with USATF and World Athletics. Results will be presented by Derrick Feldman, who led Running USA’s 2018 illuminative research on Millennial runners and retention rates.

Conducted by Influence|SG, a leading social issue and movement market research and advisory firm, more than 3,500 Gen Z respondents are being asked about their motivation to participate in athletics, how they hear about event information, what they think about running events and why or why not they participate in events.

“Gen Z-ers are less likely to identify as sports fans. What does this mean for the future of the running industry?  Industry conference attendees will get the results of an exclusive research study on what you need to do to succeed with the new generation,” said Jeff Matlow, interim Executive Director of Running USA.

Register for the 2023 Industry Conference today and view the current preliminary schedule here.

About the Industry Conference
Since its origins as a small gathering of Running USA’s founders in Southern California in 2004, the Running USA Industry Conference presented by Race Roster has grown to becoming the best-attended, most esteemed gathering of running industry professionals from around the USA and the world. Now moving locations each year, the conference has been held in Los Angeles, San Diego, Savannah, Houston, San Antonio, Orlando, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas and heads to Denver for the 2023 event.