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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Running Industry Alliance (RIA)?
Running Industry Alliance (RIA) is an independent national trade organisation built for the UK & Ireland Running Industry. 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.
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 galvanise, energise and align the Running Industry creating an amplified voice, driving focus and purpose through a thriving community and eco-system for all.
RIA provides its members with purpose-built benefits, Industry connectivity along with the annual The Running Conference (TRC) and The RIA Spring Gathering (TSG) 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.
“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
What does RIA offer?
RIA offers its Members to be part of an independent trade organisation for the UK & Ireland Running Industry. RIA provides many Members benefits which include purpose-built benefits, Industry connectivity, collaboration, support and conversation inclusion, along with access to the annual The Running Conference.
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 RIA structure?
RIA Overview Structure:
- A focus on a UK & Ireland approach
- Based on a 12 month RIA Member rolling membership, starts from when you join for 12 months
- RIA Members can join at any time and the 12 months commence from acceptance of membership application form and issue of the RIA membership invoice
- RIA hold the annual “The Running Conference” (TRC) for all RIA members to access, full RIA membership includes one ticket to attend TRC each year
- RIA hold the annual “The RIA Spring Gathering” (TSG), fun RIA Membership includes access to this and all RIA Social Events throughout the year
- RIA do partner with events also to gain access for RIA Members, these are offered to all RIA Members in the members newsletter
- The Alliance Board and Futures Board are an integral part of RIA, a collective hundreds of years Running and Sport experience between all Board Members, face to face meeting held at The Running Conference
- Alliance Partners are strategic and purpose-driven RIA partnerships. These are best described as bridges in and out of the UK & Ireland, built together to help support RIA Members and further advancement of the industry and creating opportunities of collaboration for the industry and RIA Members. Fast-track access and open doors for RIA Members that RIA have built in partnerships
- RIA Experts are a team build by and with RIA for Member benefit of knowledge and experience
- #RunItForward Initiative is available for members to gift membership to new members, please contact one of the RIA Team to discuss this further
- “RIA Online Members Social” are for all RIA Members to access, built for RIA member-to-member meet and interaction opportunity and operated through ZOOM
- “RIA Satellite Meet Ups” are options for RIA Members to attend, where RIA has created an invite opportunity for RIA Members which are often unique and purposeful for RIA Members taking place at sold out events, launches or gatherings that would have useful connections for RIA Members. They are also another opportunity to meet face to face throughout the year together to support, connect, collaborate and do business together
- Running Industry Alliance Podcast is a merger with the Running Industry Podcast to create this new and exciting running industry podcast
- RIA actively supports the Running Retail Audit
- You can read through RIA Member benefits in the next section on the FAQ’s or email membership@runningindustryalliance.com if you have a question
Who is RIA built for?
Running Industry Alliance members range from all levels of brands and retailers to independent companies, services and specialists working in the Running Industry
- RIA focusses on ten defined (by RIA) verticals of the Running Industry which include all sizes / scale of Brands, Retailers, Events, Media, Charities, Communities, Services, Suppliers, NGB / NGO, Distributors and Buying Groups – we wanted to build an independent trade association for all sectors of the Running Industry to be able to come together in a safe business space
- RIA Membership reflects the wide diversity of the Running Industry business collective in the UK & Ireland and European / Worldwide 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 this is 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
- RIA breaks down barriers and has the “difficult conversations” for RIA Members, creating 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 RIA Team
- RIA comprises of sector opportunities for Retailers, Brands, Distributors, Events and Event Organisers, Charities, Buying Groups, Communities, Businesses and Services / Suppliers for the Sector, NGB’s, NGO’s and Trade Membership Bodies (across sectors with Running connectivity), Expos, Shows, Conferences and Awards, Press and Media (print and online) and more, all connected through the Running Industry
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 2023 to 2028, as very top line subjects and topics here these include:
- The Market Place
- Research, Data and Insights
- Health and Wellbeing
- Sustainability
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Future
For further details or to get involved please contact RIA Membership by email.
What is The Running Conference (TRC)?
The Running Conference is built for all Running Industry Alliance Members and features Running Industry specific curated content.
Members of the Running Industry Alliance (RIA) have a one person access pass to the conference included in their annual Membership (full RIA Membership).
You must be a Member of the Running Industry Alliance to be able to attend this annual event, it is a safe space business environment.
All announced information is on the CONFERENCE page.This is an absolute must-attend event for anyone in the Running Industry and sector (B2B)
If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.
What is The RIA Spring Gathering (TRSG)?
The RIA Spring Gathering is a Spring Gathering in April, this started in 2023 and will continue as part of RIA Membership. This is held annually at one of RIA Members locations in London.
You must be a Member of the Running Industry Alliance to be able to attend this annual event, it is a safe space business networking and social environment.
If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.
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
- The Running Conference and The RIA Spring Gathering
- Further RIA Member benefits are below
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 monthly RIA Members Newsletter
Content, Spotlight, Awareness and Profile Raising:
- Access to supply monthly news of your running related or business, this will be featured across various RIA news channels (B2B and B2C) each month
- Access to the apply to be on the Running Industry Alliance podcast, covering essential news, insights and happenings in the Industry each month
- Access to content from The Running Conference including “first look” at commissioned or collaborative data, research and insights for the Running Industry and wider awareness work
Events & Networking:
- Full RIA Membership includes one ticket to access The Running Conference (TRC), an annual RIA Members Conference held at Loughborough University, dates for 2023 are 10th to 12th December. Ticket includes all content, all data / research & Insights, networking, activations, free parking, all food, two industry celebration evenings and more! Not to be missed in you work within the Running Industry, the annual RIA Members meet up.
- Access to The RIA Spring Gathering, held each year in April in London location – dates for 2024 to be announced shortly
- Access to other RIA Members events, launches, championships and meet ups across the year
Connection:
- Members are open to discuss their next 12 month focusses with one the RIA Team so that additional opportunities and potential connections can be discussed together
- Online “social” opportunities
- RIA Expert connection opportunities
- 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
Benefit of being a RIA Member:
- Being part of a collective Alliance and eco-system that is dedicated to and for the Running Industry, built for purpose and across ten defined verticals of the industry, inclusive for everyone with a focus and connection to running. RIA is a B2B independent trade association for Running, all RIA Members are mainly B2C apart from services and suppliers that are B2B
- Extensive collective access opportunities by being part of Running Industry Alliance (RIA)
- Contact, connection and cross pollination opportunities with fellow RIA Members, RIA Team, Steering Groups, Experts, Suppliers and Services dedicated to the Running Industry
- Opportunity to showcase your brand or business for awareness and business opportunities in a dedicated space for the Running Industry
- Option to show you are a RIA Member through promotion of RIA Members logo
- Contributing by being a RIA Member to helping the industry to advance through the connectivity, business opportunities created and focus area work in the industry
- Additional benefits will be added and released across the 12 months membership and curated from member feedback, part of “added value”
Additional benefits are available for 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
Membership price and options
Pricing for 2023 Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Membership | Full and Part Options
> RIA Membership starts from acceptance of application and invoice raising and continues for 12 months from that point onwards and is renewed on an annual basis (rolling)
> RIA Membership invoices can be paid by BACS, direct debit, credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay payments online. All payments are plus VAT
> RIA Membership must be applied for and approved by RIA. Application form is on the membership page
2023 RIA Member Option FULL
> £850 (plus VAT) for FULL RIA Membership (12 months), which includes access for one person from your business to The Running Conference 2023
> Offer of additional tickets for The Running Conference 2023 #TRC23 at £275 plus VAT NOTE: Subject to availability EARLY-BIRD RATE (to the end of June 2023) price rises to £350 plus VAT until availability is reached
> First option to renew your membership and membership level in 2024 for another 12 months at the 2023 price (if membership continues without a break)
2023 RIA Member Option PART
> Option to take 12 month PART RIA Membership at £575 plus VAT which has no ticket access to The Running Conference 2023
First option to renew your membership and membership level in 2024 for another 12 months at the 2023 price (if membership continues without a break)
If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.
About RIA
Welcome to Running Industry Alliance, an independent national trade organisation built for the UK & Ireland Running Industry
We exist to collectively assist RIA Members to drive the Running Industry forward to improve the Sport and Business of Running by:
- VISIBILITY: Proactively making sure Running is in and at the forefront of conversations and RIA Members are visible across channels and involved in conversations.
- AWARENESS: Showcasing RIA Members news, partnerships, recruitment needs, sponsorship opportunities and awareness of RIA Member activity through RIA channels. This includes website, newsletter, social media including open and closed LinkedIn channels, opportunities at The Running Conference, in conversations, industry podcast, networking and social events that are remote / online and live / in-person and more.
- GROWTH: Showcasing opportunities across Alliance Partner bridges and with experts linked to other organisations that RIA is building and creating. 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 together to start conversations and enhancing the narrative through a thriving positive eco-system, creating connectivity and new opportunities through RIA Membership and ongoing support to nurture and thrive.
- INSIGHTS: Establishing the true value of the Running sector through shared research, insights, data and facts. Supported by an official insights partner of RIA, RIA Members, Alliance Partners and other expert channels support. Focussing on implementation of new reports and agreements to establish “state of the nation” for running and the running industry.
- 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 environment.
- RECRUITMENT: Creating opportunities, new channels and accessibility to sectors to retain talent in the industry whilst also nurturing new talent to assist in progressing the sectors and being able to propel forward with expertise, knowledge and experience.
- NETWORKING: Creating a network of opportunity through RIA Membership for you, your brand and business. RIA holds the annual members-only The Running Conference, an important in person annual conference for the Running Industry to meet, learn and do business together. A mix of RIA Member networking and social events across the year that include remote (virtual) and live (in-person) to create a continual conversation and showcasing opportunity through being an RIA Member. ***NEW The RIA Spring Gathering – RIA Members will receive details about this directly***
- SUPPORT: Supporting RIA Members and RIA Members supporting each other, an eco-system of positive energy and a propelling forward nature has been created. As a collective RIA focus on the priority subjects that need attention, sharing knowledge, education and best practice for all to be aware of what is needed to be done for not only now and immediate but for future generations and ensuring a thriving industry.
RIA FOCUS AREAS
Through working with feedback from The Running Conference and RIA Members a number of focus areas have been defined for 2023 to 2028, as very top line subjects and topics here these include:
- The Market Place
- Research, Data and Insights
- Health and Wellbeing
- Sustainability
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Future
For further details or to get involved please contact RIA Membership by email.
RIA WORKING APPROACH
We are NOT here to duplicate great work already being done in the Running Industry, we are here to connect and enhance whilst helping develop business relationships, networks, bridges and fast track growth opportunities for RIA Members and propelling the running industry as a whole.
We are here to showcase the Running Industry and facilitate closure of any gaps or removal of barriers whilst creating strong bridges with experts and networks to other organisations to ensure growth, add value, best practice, finding new ways to work together and streamlining focus for the Industry through a collective member approach.
We are here to support all RIA Members, the Running Industry and connecting Alliance Partnerships.
Together we are stronger
Together we will grow
Together we break down barriers
Together we are heard as an amplified voice
Together we advance the sector
Together we make a difference faster
Together we are Running Industry Alliance
We have created an FAQ section below to make is easy to answer any questions you may have about RIA. If there is a question that is not answered here please email membership with your question, we will add to the FAQ on a regular basis.
