Running USA Reveals First Three General Sessions for 2026 Industry Conference Presented by haku

May 14, 2025

Register now before the price goes up on June 1

ST. LOUIS (May 14, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Running USA is excited to announce three of the general sessions set for the 2026 Industry Conference presented by haku, taking place February 1–3, 2026 at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. These main stage conversations will bring together thought leaders and experts to tackle some of the most pressing topics facing the running industry today.

The annual Running USA Industry Conference is a must-attend event for race directors, running brands, timing companies, vendors serving the running space, non-profits, marketers and industry professionals. With a registration price increase set for June 1, now is the perfect time to secure your spot at the year’s premier running business gathering.

“As we prepare to gather in St. Louis, we’re developing sessions that directly address the most critical issues facing our industry,” said Running USA Executive Director Jay Holder. “These general sessions are just the beginning of what promises to be an insightful and inspiring conference for anyone invested in running events.”

The general sessions include:

State of the Sport
This flagship session will deliver a comprehensive overview of the running industry, diving into current trends in participation, operations, sponsorship, and community building. Attendees can expect fresh data, economic insights, and real-world perspectives from race organizers navigating evolving runner expectations. Panelists will also explore the changing demographics of race participants and what that means for the future of endurance events.

Creating and Maintaining an Inclusive Volunteer Program
Volunteers are the heart of any successful race. This panel will explore how events can cultivate volunteer programs that reflect the diversity of their communities. Experts will share strategies to recruit, train and retain volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, helping organizers build more welcoming and representative event teams.

Tracking and Preventing Cardiac Incidents at Events
As headlines continue to spotlight cardiac arrests at endurance races, this session will feature two of the nation’s leading experts on cardiac health in endurance athletes—Dr. Jonathan Kim and Dr. Aaron Baggish. The panel will examine the latest research on cardiac risk during races and discuss actionable steps race organizers can take to educate runners, enhance medical preparedness and prioritize participant safety across all event distances.

Additional program and speaker announcements will be made in the coming months. Applications for speakers with compelling topics and expertise to share with the industry are still being accepted, and you can apply here.

Registration is open now. Don’t miss out—prices go up after May 31. Current Running USA members can contact membership@runningusa.org for their custom discount codes. Not a member yet? Running USA’s expanded membership offerings have an ideal solution for everyone. View membership options 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 haku is the best-attended, most esteemed gathering of running industry professionals from around the world. Moving locations each year, the conference has been held in Los Angeles, San Diego, Savannah, Houston, San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Orlando, Louisville and heads to St. Louis for the 2026 event.

About Running USA

Running USA is a non-profit that serves as the leading trade organization for the running industry in North America and hosts the nation’s preeminent industry conference annually. Through education, research, best practices and data, Running USA is committed to supporting and facilitating growth, diversification and excitement in running communities everywhere. We promote networking and idea-sharing between event organizers, sponsors, vendors and athletes. Running USA is a member of a global alliance of organizations focused on the betterment of the global running community including the Running Industry Alliance and European Athletics. For more information, visit runningusa.org.