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The Running Conference

RIA Member News

ABOUT RIA

IMPROVING THE SPORT AND BUSINESS OF RUNNING

Welcome to Running Industry Alliance (RIA)

We are here to help create alignment in the running industry through collaboration and innovation. Our focus is on building a thriving community and network that drives commercial growth for your business. As a member, you will have access to an inclusive platform that collectively solves problems and amplifies excellent work. You will become part of a larger conversation and a unified voice that breaks down barriers and strengthens the industry.
We provide our members with alternative and effective ways to connect through a safe and social business environment.

Our values are aligned with the following:

VISIBILITY: Proactively ensuring that running is at the forefront of conversations and RIA Members are visible across channels and actively involved in various discussions.
AWARENESS: Showcasing RIA Members news, partnerships, recruitment needs, sponsorship opportunities and awareness of RIA Member activity through RIA channels (B2B and B2C).
GROWTH: Working collaboratively together with a connected approach and a focus on collective growth across the whole running sector and supported thread to and from sectors both in the UK & Ireland and globally.
CONNECTION: Connecting members to start conversations and creating connectivity and new opportunities through RIA Membership and ongoing support to nurture and thrive together and as an industry.
INSIGHTS: Establishing the true value of the Running sector through shared research, insights, data and facts.
BENEFITS: Delivering purpose-built member benefits, supporting content, facilitating access to educational topics and discussions with face-to-face meet-ups and opportunities to do business together in a supported, like-minded and safe business environment.
RECRUITMENT: Nurturing new and existing talent to assist in progressing the sectors and keep moving forward with expertise, knowledge and experience.
NETWORKING: . A mix of RIA Member networking and social events includes the RIA Spring Gathering, held in April in London, and the OTS Trade Show, held in June in Liverpool. Our largest event is the annual members-only The Running Conference, held in December in Loughborough. It is a key in-person yearly conference for the Running Industry to meet, learn, and conduct business together.
SUPPORT: Support between RIA Members has created an ecosystem of positive energy and a propelling forward nature. As a collective, RIA focuses on the priority subjects that need attention, sharing knowledge, education and best practices for all to be aware of what is required to be done now and for future generations to ensure a thriving industry,

For further details or to get involved, please contact RIA Membership by email.

What is Running Industry Alliance (RIA)?

Running Industry Alliance (RIA) is a member-based independent national trade (B2B) organisation built for purpose for the UK & Ireland Running Industry with global reach. Running Industry Alliance exists to collectively assist RIA Members to drive the Running Industry forward to improve the Sport and Business of Running, supporting all RIA Members, the Running Industry and RIA Alliance Members. The aim being to help galvanise, align, elevate, inform, educate, collaborate and advance through collective membership and dedicated running industry support aspects.

Get in touch to discuss your business being involved with RIA and supporting the industry together, head to the membership tab to contact RIA today

What does RIA do?

RIA helps to bring together various sectors of the Running Industry into a connected and continual conversation to help galvanise, align, energise, elevate, inform, educate, collaborate and advance whilst creating an amplified voice for various sectors. Driving focus and purpose through a thriving community and eco-system for all RIA Members.

RIA provides its members with purpose-built benefits and promotional opportunities, Industry connectivity along with the annual The Running Conference (TRC) in December and The Spring Gathering (TSG) in April for its members and the Running Industry to meet in person to connect, learn and do business together for the benefit of driving the Running Industry forward.

There are additional RIA Member meet ups (in person and online socials) throughout the year and we are always adding additional business networking opportunities to the members calendar.from RIA Member based events, plus European and Global partnerships.

“We exist to collectively assist our members to drive the Running Industry forward to improve the Sport and Business of Running”

Get in touch to discuss your business being involved with RIA and supporting the industry together, head to the membership tab to contact RIA today

Who is RIA built for?

Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Members

RIA focusses on all sizes and scale of the Running Industry (B2B) by the following 10 defined verticals:

Brands
Retailers
Buying Groups and Distributors
Events
Charities
Communities
Media
NGB’s and NGO’s
Services
Suppliers

“RIA is an independent member-based trade organisation for all sectors and defined verticals of the Running Industry for RIA Members to be able to come together in a safe business space environment and create a collective approach to working together for the benefit of the industry,”

> RIA Membership reflects the wide diversity of the Running Industry business collective in the UK & Ireland, European and Global connectivity
> RIA is also the connecting bridge for the Running Industry business collective wanting to work with RIA Members in the UK & Ireland. We have many Members from Europe & USA join us for example to engage with UK & Ireland Members and vice versa
> RIA is for existing, established and new brands and / or services entering / for the Running Industry, anyone who is connected to Running Industry then this has been built for you
> RIA drives connectivity whilst sharing Running Industry opportunities within the group eco-system, climate and economy to work together to amplify and continue the drive forward the industry as a whole
> Creating new opportunities that have not been seen as possible before or too time-consuming, RIA does the heavy lifting, filtering information into bite-sizes pieces and showcasing members
> RIA drives conversations that need to be had, whether highlighting by topics, championing vision as a collective, utilising expertise with the group to share best practice, connecting together to be the drivers of change and support the future of running industry as an alliance approach
> RIA breaks down barriers and has the “difficult conversations” for RIA Members, with the emphasis on creating lasting, actionable and positive change
> RIA believes in building not dividing, a new way to unite, meet, discuss, work together through an alliance network with a supported structure and experienced industry RIA Team
> RIA comprises of sector opportunities for all defined verticals and parallel verticals across industries where “running” is the thread
> RIA is B2B, RIA Members are predominantly B2C or B2B if offering services or supply to the sector

Get in touch to discuss your business being involved with RIA and supporting the industry together, head to the membership tab to contact RIA today

What are the RIA focus areas?

RIA FOCUS AREAS: Through working with feedback from The Running Conference and RIA Members a number of focus areas have been defined for 2024 to 2028 industry focus work.

Top-line focus areas for Running Industry Alliance in 2025 include:

The Market Place
Research, Data and Insights
Health and Wellbeing
Sustainability
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)
Future

For further details or to get involved please contact RIA Membership by email.

What are RIA Member benefits?

There are a wide variety of member benefits for being part of RIA, top line benefit headlines include:

12 month access to the Running Industry Alliance as a member, from the point your membership application is accepted and invoice process is completed
Access to the biggest annual member meet up = The Running Conference presented by haku, held in Loughborough on the 7th to 9th December 2025
Access to attend The RIA Spring Gathering, held in London on the 23rd April
Access to other RIA Members “social” meet ups across the calendar year
Further RIA Member benefits are highlighted below
Added benefits are often added through the year and as RIA Membership continues to grow in the UK, Ireland and globally with Alliance Partners

Assets:

Members logo, url link and up to 300 words “about” are featured on the RIA website in the members section, see all on-boarded and your fellow RIA Members here
Promotion of your brand or business joining with a link to your RIA Member profile on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram (RIA channels)
Promotion of your brand or business joining in the RIA Members Newsletter (now weekly)

Content, Spotlight, Awareness and Profile Raising:

Access to supply monthly news about your business that is running related, this will be featured across various RIA news channels (B2B and B2C) each month
Access to apply to be on the Running Industry Alliance podcast, covering essential news, insights and happenings in the Industry each month
Access to all content at The Running Conference including “first look” at commissioned or collaborative data, research and insights for the Running Industry and wider awareness work
Access to The Spring Gathering (April)

Events & Networking:

Full RIA Membership includes one “guaranteed” ticket to access The Running Conference (TRC), the annual RIA Members Conference held at Loughborough University in December
Ticket includes all content, all data / research & Insights, networking, activations, free parking, all food (2 x breakfast, 2 x lunch, 2 x dinner), two industry celebration evenings and more!
Not to be missed if you work within the Running Industry, this is the biggest annual RIA Members meet up of key decision makers across the industry
Access to The Spring Gathering, held each year in April in London
Access to other follow RIA Members events, launches, championships and meet ups across the year`
Trade Show access to Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) collab partnership for “Trail Running Area”. OTS is held annually in June in Liverpool and RIA Members get access to OTS member exhibition rates as part of the collaboration.
Access to the European Running Business Conference held by European Athletics (special ticket rate for RIA Members to purchase), with assisted meet up. Next ERBC is in November in Greece (2024)
Access to Running USA Conference (special ticket rate for RIA Members to purchase) and assisted meet up at RUSA. Next Conference is February 2025 in the USA (2025)
More being added as RIA Membership increases and the network continues to grow and expand

Connection:

Members are open to discuss their next 12 month focusses with one the RIA Core Team so that additional opportunities and potential connections can be discussed together
Online “social” opportunities
RIA Expert connection opportunities
RIA Match opportunities = member business to member business
Opportunity to “belong” in a group of likeminded running industry people
Fast connection to fellow Members (if both parties agree to be introduced)
Opportunities to connect through the Alliance Partner bridges RIA build for RIA Member benefit

Joining RIA can help you to:

Raise awareness of your brand or business through RIA channels (news, LinkedIn, podcast, socials and more)
Amplification of your news and happenings through RIA Channels
Help you to connect into the industry with faster integration and grow your network
Meet people in the industry that you may never meet or have the opportunity to meet
Quick access to the latest industry and fellow member news
Awareness of business opportunities, partnership and sponsorship options within the network and beyond
Access to RIA Member events and curated industry events that are useful and have purpose for your brand / business
Special rates to access partner events, services, suppliers and fellow relevant conferences in the UK and Globally – often with a group of fellow RIA Members attending
Enable you to access the network and become part of the eco-system through annual membership and building meaningful partnerships
Help you to create connections and potential longevity relationships in the industry through membership recognition

Additional benefits are available at The Running Conference – Built for RIA Members, the Running Industry, the B2B must-attend annual event!

Get in touch to discuss your business being involved with RIA and supporting the industry together, head to the membership tab to contact RIA today

What is The Running Conference (TRC)?

What is The Running Conference (TRC)?

The Running Conference is the flagship annual event for Running Industry Alliance (RIA), taking place 7–9 December 2025 at Loughborough University, UK.

This must-attend B2B gathering brings the running industry together for three immersive days of connection, collaboration, and future-facing conversation.

Designed exclusively for RIA members, TRC offers a safe, professional space to network, share insight, and do meaningful business. The programme includes expert-led panels, roundtables, workshops, product launches and our interactive Pop-Up Discovery Spaces (PUDS).

Members also get first-look access to new research, data, and insights commissioned or created specifically for the running industry, helping inform decisions, strategy, and innovation across sectors.

Our crafted activations such as Track Stars 2025, early morning runs, product try-ons and wellbeing sessions add energy and connectivity built for our business community to experience and showcase fellow Members.

Each full RIA Membership includes one guaranteed TRC ticket, with additional tickets available to purchase (subject to availability).

Visit www.therunningconference.com for full details.

Not a member yet? Apply today and complete the short Membership form and one of our team will be in touch.

What is The RIA Spring Gathering?

The RIA Spring Gathering is our Spring flagship event, held annually at a unique location in London for RIA Members.

Open exclusively to RIA Members, The RIA Spring Gathering offers a valuable mid-year opportunity to network, share updates, meet in person and gain fresh insights in a relaxed whilst professional setting.

From a pre-event WMAG (Women’s Multi-Sport Action Group) shake-out run, to a curated panel discussion, keynotes, industry updates, this event is all about staying connected, informed and inspired with plenty of networking.

Save the Date: Wednesday 23rd April 2025 @ Howden, London | SOLD OUT

Not a member yet? Head to the RIA Membership page to apply today and join the conversation shaping the future of the running industry.

Triathlon Industry Conference 2025

Triathlon Industry Conference (TIC25) will be held in conjunction with The Running Conference at Loughborough University, UK.

Taking place on Monday 8th December 2025, TIC25 will be a single-day conference for Triathlon Industry Association (TIA) Members only.

TIC25 is being run alongside the Running Industry Alliance (RIA) established annual members event, The Running Conference (7th -9th December 2025). This gives an opportunity for TIC25 attendees to network with the triathlon industry and wider running industry on-site at the The Running Conference.

Be part of Triathlon Industry Conference. JOIN TIA and get involved.

Running Retailer Day 2025

Running Retailer Day 2025

Running Retailer Day will be held in conjunction with The Running Conference at Loughborough University, UK.

On Tuesday, 9th December 2025, RRD will be a single-day conference for RIA Retail Members only.

Contact the RIA Membership Team if you need further information.

What are RIA Online Socials?

What Are RIA Online Socials?

RIA Online Socials are a monthly series of virtual meet-ups designed exclusively for RIA Members, running from February to November 2025.

Each session brings members together online for a mix of industry insight, peer connection, and practical education. Sessions rotate between:

Latest industry data and trends, often presented by RIA Members themselves
Hands-on learning sessions led by in-house experts on tools like ChatGPT, LinkedIn, Canva, and more

These socials offer a valuable space to share updates, spotlight member businesses and grow your knowledge in a supportive, collaborative Member based environment.

Want to get involved or present at a future session? There are opportunities for RIA Members to get involved.

Not yet a member? Head to the membership tab to apply and discover how we can support your business while shaping the future of the running industry together.

What is the RIA Podcast?

What is The RIA Podcast?

The Running Industry Alliance Podcast, created in collaboration with Supersonic, is a B2B audio series that taps into the collective knowledge of RIA Members and wider industry experts.

Hosted by Matt Ward, with rotating co-hosts Becs, Tom, and Phil, each episode delivers engaging discussions, practical insights, and the latest running industry news—in a format that’s easy to access and full of value.

Whether it’s data-driven strategy, peer-to-peer support, or behind-the-scenes perspectives, the RIA Podcast is a powerful tool for business growth and staying connected to what matters across the sector.

Episodes are packed with RIA Member guest features, and if you are a member, you can put yourself forward to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Listen now on the player or your favourite platform:
Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Deezer

Want to discuss your business being featured, or how to get involved with RIA? Head to the Membership tab to apply today and be part of shaping the future of the running industry.

Key dates for 2025 for RIA Members

MEMBER B2B IN-PERSON EVENTS

KEY DATES FOR 2025 FOR RIA MEMBERS
Running Industry Alliance (RIA) | Calendar of announced events 2025 + 2026

The RIA Spring Gathering | RIA Event | Howden
23rd April 2025 | London

**The Annual RIA Members Conference | RIA Event**
The Running Conference presented by haku #TRC25
7th to 9th December 2025 | Loughborough

Track Stars powered by Threshold Sports / krono:sports | RIA Event
8th December 2025 | Loughborough

Triathlon Industry Conference | TIA Event
8th December 2025 | Loughborough

Running Retailer Day | RIA Event
9th December 2025 | Loughborough

Running Industry Awards | Partnership Event with England Athletics and RIA | Affiliate Event
9th December 2025 | Loughborough

Running USA Industry Conference presented by haku (RUSA)
RIA Member | International Opportunity | Affiliate Event
1st to 3rd February 2026 | St. Louis, Missouri

European Running Business Conference
RIA Member | European Opportunity | Affiliate Event
6th to 8th November 2026 | Porto

More Events to be announced for RIA Members Access

RIA Event = RIA Member access
Affiliate Event = A partner event that RIA Members can access at a reduced rate through being a RIA Member

If you have any questions, please contact the RIA Membership Team

How to contact RIA & TRC Team

HOW TO CONTACT THE RIA & TRC TEAM

If you have any questions, please email the RIA Membership Team.

Apply for RIA Membership - Enquiry Form

If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today, one of the RIA Team will be in touch within 24 hours.

What is the relationship between Triathlon Industry Association (TIA) and Running Industry Alliance (RIA)?

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRIATHLON INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (TIA) AND RUNNING INDUSTRY ALLIANCE (RIA)?

In July 2024, TIA and RIA confirmed a strategic merger. This saw TIA merging its operations into RIA. While both operate as separate entities, the two industry associations use shared resources.

Combined RIA x TIA foster the natural connection of running whilst driving growth for both organisations. RIA is extending a commitment to support the triathlon industry. A key benefit for TIA members includes a new Triathlon Industry Conference dedicated day at RIA’s established annual members event, The Running Conference (7^th to 9^th December).

For more information, please look at the TIA website.

Can I be a member of RIA and TIA?

Yes. Companies can join both TIA and RIA.

For any company that wishes to join TIA and is already a full member of RIA, and attending The Running Conference TRC24, there is no charge for attending the Triathlon Industry Conference on Monday 9th December.

For RIA Member companies, the TIA membership fee would be £450 + VAT (before 31st October 2025) giving access to all TIA research and 1 x place at the Triathlon Industry Conference (TIC) on Monday 9th December.

What are the pricing options for RIA Membership?

WHAT ARE THE PRICING OPTIONS FOR RIA MEMBERSHIP 2025/2026?

Full RIA Membership 2025
£950 + VAT for 12 months RIA Membership including one guaranteed ticket to The Running Conference 2025 (TRC25), 7th to 9th December 2025

Part RIA Membership 2025
£600 + VAT for 12 months RIA Membership. Does not include a guaranteed TRC25 ticket. There may be an opportunity to purchase a ticket later in the year, subject to availability however ticket prices may vary.

Upon joining these prices are fixed for two years.

Visit RIA Membership to apply today.

Podcast

“The podcast will focus on meaningful running industry content, with listeners benefiting from useful information, data and action points that can help propel their businesses forward, sharing peer to peer knowledge whilst showcasing the running industry and advancements beneficial for all”.

Podcast

Events

MEMBER B2B IN-PERSON EVENTS – Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Calendar of announced events 2025 + 2026

Events

RIA Members Conference

The Running Conference is built for RIA Members and features Running Industry specific curated content. RIA Members have one access pass to The Running Conference included in their annual RIA Membership. You must be a Member of the Running Industry Alliance to be able to attend this annual event. If you are not a member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.

This is an annual essential “must attend” event for anyone in the Running Industry and sector.

Conference