Groups to inspire conversations and champion issues facing the industry and beyond

PORTLAND, Maine (March 13, 2025) – Switchback Spring, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry community, has partnered with a number of outdoor industry organizations for its gathering June 16-18, 2025, in Nashville, TN. Switchback partner organizations represent a wide range of focal points including conservation, participation, education, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.

“We created Switchback as a gathering for the entire outdoor industry, and these organizations are critical in pushing us to think harder, act responsibly, and encourage progress,” said Christina Henderson, Switchback Director. “That so many organizations have opted to join us at Switchback Spring underscores that we’re creating a space for crucial conversations and industry progress.”

Last October, Switchback announced Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) as its official event partner. OIA and Switchback are collaborating in preparation for the June gathering at both the strategic and tactical level, enhancing the event with key learnings from leading outdoor industry data, legacy knowledge of essential and emerging issues, and deep connections throughout the outdoor industry community.

The growing list of Switchback Spring partner organizations currently includes:

1% for the Planet 

1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. They inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental partners through membership and everyday actions. They make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling and third-party certification. OnePercentForThePlanet.org

American Trail Running Association (ATRA) 

ATRA was formed in mid-1996 as a Colorado not for profit corporation to serve the mountain, ultra & trail (MUT) running community. Their mission is to represent and promote mountain, ultra & trail running. They offer individual, club, race and corporate memberships which includes its quarterly newsletter, Trail Times, that features a national events calendar, thoughtful articles, and timely information about the sport. Trailrunner.com

Black Men Run-TURF

Black Men Run-TURF is for the runners that like to get off-road, occasionally put in super long miles, and don’t mind busting their asses every once in a while. Trail and ultrarunning requires a special kind of crazy and they want to continue to build upon this amazing community. Blackmenrun.com/bmr-turf

Founded Outdoors

Entrepreneurs need specific skill sets, industry knowledge, and professional connections to drive business growth. Historically, however, access to these resources has been limited based on demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic factors. Alongside their partners, they’re building support – programming, community, mentorship, and financing – to make it possible for entrepreneurs from all different backgrounds to build successful companies. FoundedOutdoors.com

Leave No Trace (LNT) 

LNT accomplishes its mission by providing innovative education, skills, research and science to help people care for the outdoors. By working with the public and those managing public lands, LNT focuses on educating people—instead of costly restoration programs or access restrictions—as the most effective and least resource-intensive solution to land protection. Lnt.org

LGBTQ Outdoors 

LGBTQ Outdoors mission is connecting the LGBTQIA+ community to the outdoors and to one another. They strive to create a national network of inclusive outdoor spaces and community-based chapters that foster environments of safety, connection, and belonging. By promoting and advocating for queer inclusion in the outdoor industry, they aim to increase representation and support, strengthening connections within their community and fostering a love for the outdoors. LGBTQOutdoors.com

Outdoor Diversity Alliance

The Outdoor Diversity Alliance helps outdoor companies grow with purpose and move from self-driven, internal diversity, equity and inclusion work to shared, collective action.

They listen to and pay underrepresented communities and support the development of authentic relationships by helping outdoor companies and underrepresented communities connect. They bring best practices forward and work together to build a prosperous and thriving industry. OutdoorDiversityAlliance.org

Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC)

The Running Industry Diversity Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in October 2020 as an educational organization with a mission that extends beyond running. Dedicated to championing transformative change within the sport, the RIDC partners with brands, race events, retailers, and run clubs to ignite unparalleled advancements for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in the running industry. RunningDiversity.com

The Conservation Alliance

The Conservation Alliance protects outdoor spaces and wild places through the collective power of its member companies. Members’ annual contributions go directly to its grants program. Each year, member companies select community-focused grantees across North America who are committed to creating a healthy, livable planet for all. Conservation today creates jobs, helps local communities, addresses climate change, and provides for future generations. ConservationAlliance.com

The Futurist Project 

The Futurist Project is the leadership and education hub for the outdoor industry. Its premier program, the Leadership Academy was born out of The Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy which started in 2015. The organization relaunched in 2022 as The Futurist Project and quickly expanded to offer other programs aimed at meeting the needs of more people in the outdoor industry. TheFuturistProject.com

The Nashville Food Project

The Nashville Food Project was born from the idea that ALL people should have access to the food they want and need. While one in seven people in Nashville lacks access to enough food to sustain a healthy lifestyle, 40% of all the food in the city goes to waste. The Nashville Food Project embraces a vision of vibrant community food security in which everyone in Nashville has access to the food they want and need through a just and sustainable food system. TheNashvilleFoodProject.org

The Outdoor Foundation

The Outdoor Foundation is dedicated to getting people outside for their health, the health of communities and the health of the outdoor industry. Through community investment and groundbreaking research, they work with partners across the country to address equity barriers and help make the outdoors accessible for all. OutdoorIndustry.org

“The success of Leave No Trace depends on all of us in the outdoor community doing our part,” said Dean Ronzoni, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Leave No Trace. “Our partnership with Switchback makes this possible by expanding our reach and creating a platform to foster deeper connections. Together, we’re building a stronger, more unified effort to ensure our natural spaces are protected for generations to come.”

All Switchback Spring events will be hosted within a dedicated portion of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, a spacious venue with 12 restaurants and an attached premium hotel. With all attendees staying and meeting in a single location, the focused environment will enable both private planned meetings as well as organic meetups and run-ins.

For more information about Switchback Spring partners, visit www.switchbackevent.com/partners.

Organizations interested in exploring partnership opportunities can contact Switchback Partnerships Manager Heidi Johnston at [email protected].

Brands interested in exploring exhibiting opportunities can contact Switchback Event Director Christina Henderson at [email protected].

Registration for retailers, media, and outdoor industry professionals is available here.

For more information about Switchback, please visit www.switchbackevent.com/switchback.

About Switchback

Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry owned and operated by Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Scheduled at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback is held each fall in conjunction with The Running Event and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with a schedule of education, peer connection opportunities, and business meetings, Switchback is a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates for the event include Switchback Spring (Nashville, TN; June 16-18, 2025) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 2-4, 2025; San Antonio, TX). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin ([email protected]) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.

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