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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. 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) 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.
There are additional RIA Member meet ups throughout the year and we are always adding additional social business networking opportunities to the members calendar.
There are also opportunities for specific sectors including for example the “Trail Running Area” at Outdoor Trade Show (OTS). This is a collaboration that has created a dedicated trade show space for “Trail Running Area” focus and with a Running Industry Alliance (RIA) HUB at the show for RIA Member and visitor support bringing Running and the Outdoor sectors together in one space.
The RIA Podcast and various news channels (B2B and B2C) including RIA Members newsletter which all offer a way for RIA Members to showcase to each other, to the wider industry and to audiences what they do and also may need including sponsorship, recruitment, services and suppliers for example.
The RIA Education Hub offers learning and education opportunities in a range of online formats from bite-size to longer accredited courses.
Six focus areas have been identified by RIA and Members where work is needed to be done. These form a focus point and opportunities for RIA Members to be involved in industry advancement together.
“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 a membership based independent trade organisation for the UK & Ireland Running Industry. RIA provides many Members benefits which include purpose-built benefits, Industry connectivity, collaboration, showcase opportunities, support and conversation inclusion. Along with access to The RIA Spring Gathering, Trade Show (OTS) and The Running Conference as annual staple in-person events and more.
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) in December 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) in April, full RIA Membership includes access to this and all other 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 RIA Members monthly newsletters
- 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 built by and with RIA for Member benefit of knowledge and experience
- #RunItForward Initiative is available for members to gift membership to new members if they would like to, 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
- Trade Show opportunities with access for RIA Members and at special agreed rates with RIA Hub support, for example Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) with the new dedicated “Trail Running Area”
- Running Industry Alliance Podcast is a merger with the Running Industry Podcast to create this new and exciting running industry podcast
- RIA Education Hub is available for RIA Members to access for learning and education purposes
- RIA actively supports the Running Retail Audit
- RIA supports six focus areas which have been defined for 2023 to 2028 work in the industry
- 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 (RIA) Members
RIA focusses on all sizes and scale of the Running Industry (B2B) by the following 10 defined verticals:
- Brands
- Retailers
- Events + Mass Participation
- Charities
- Communities
- Media
- NGB’s + NGO’s
- Services
- Suppliers
- Buying Groups + Distributors
“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 2023 to 2028?
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 industry focus work.
Top-line focus areas for Running Industry Alliance in 2024 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 is the RIA Education Hub?
RIA Education Hub is a portal for RIA Members to be able to access learning and education for actionable change either individually, in their business or in the industry. There will be a range of content that is a mix of curated, bite-size and more in-depth accredited courses. This education has been built for RIA Members and their teams who are in the Running Industry and launching with a DEIB content accredited courses delivery partnership. RIA will be constantly adding content and education to the RIA Education Hub for RIA Members and their teams to access. This will be a mix of free and paid for content and courses depending on the subject, focus, length of courses and accreditation aspects. The aim is for as much content to be online as possible for ease of learning and education access.
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 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 a RIA Member location 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.
The RIA Spring Gathering 2025: 23rd April 2025 | London | Lead: Rebecca (RIA Co-Lead)
If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.
What is the Trade Show collaboration (OTS)?
RIA Trade Show opportunities include “Trail Running Area” which is in partnership with the Outdoor Trade Show (OTS), held in June each year in Liverpool. This brings the Running and Outdoor industries together and has been viewed as a very supportive and collaborative partnership that was built for trade show purpose and to create connected and new industry opportunities.
RIA Members have a “member rate match” at OTS to exhibit in the dedicated “Trail Running Area” in association with OTS at the trade show and also ticket access to attend by being a RIA Member.
RIA Trade Show with Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) 2024: “Trail Running Area” with RIA Hub | 18th to 20th June 2024 | Liverpool | Lead: Jonathan (RIA Co-Lead)
If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.
What is The Running Conference (TRC)?
The Running Conference is built for all Running Industry Alliance Members and features Running Industry specific curated content in a safe-space business environment.
Members of Running Industry Alliance (RIA) have an access pass to the conference for one person included in their annual Membership (full RIA Membership; further tickets can be purchased subject to availability). This is an absolute must-attend event for anyone in the Running Industry and sector (B2B)!
Go to www.therunningconference.com for further information about The Running Conference.
The Running Conference 2024 presented by haku : 8th to 10th December 2024 | Loughborough | Lead: Rebecca (RIA Co-Lead)
If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.
What is the RIA Podcast?
Originally the Running Industry Podcast (2020) hosted by Matt Ward, now having joined forces with RIA to become the collaborative podcast Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic from 2023 onwards. The first B2B collab series will encompass up to 12 episodes, each featuring chats with various RIA Member guests “in conversation with” about the running industry.
The new collaborative podcast will be hosted by Matt as Anchor with Becs, Jonathan and Tom, rotating on episodes around various content.
You can listen on the player or Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Deezer.
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 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 Running Conference (December annual members conference)
- Access to attend The RIA Spring Gathering (April)
- Access to other RIA Members “social” meet ups across the calendar year
- Further RIA Member benefits are highlighted 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 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 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 in 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 if you work within the Running Industry, this is the annual RIA Members meet up of key decision makers across defined verticals - Access to The RIA Spring Gathering, held each year in April in London location
- 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” supported by the RIA HUB. OTS is held annually in June in Liverpool for RIA Members – member rate match at OTS to exhibit and access by being a RIA Member
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
Pricing for RIA Membership 2024 / 2025
Pricing for Running Industry Alliance (RIA) Membership | Full and Part Options | Overview | 2024 and 2025
> RIA Membership starts from acceptance of application and invoice raising and continues for 12 months from that point onwards
> RIA Membership is renewed on an annual basis (rolling) and the RIA Member rate (that you joined at) is held at that rate for two years (payable per year)
> RIA Membership invoices can be paid by BACS, direct debit, credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay payments online / NOTE: All payments are + VAT
> RIA Membership must be applied for and approved by RIA
> Application “interest to hear more form” is on the membership page
> Any RIA Member applications will result initially with an online call with one of the RIA Core Team
RIA Member Option FULL
> £950 + VAT for FULL RIA Membership (12 months), which includes 1 x “guaranteed” ticket access to The Running Conference 2024, for one person from your business to attend
> Your “The Running Conference” guaranteed ticket (x1) includes all food (x2 dinners, x2 breakfasts, x2 lunches), parking, networking, activations, data / research and insights access, tea / coffee, arrival drinks and access to Erdinger Sky Bar, 2 x evening celebrations and content for The Running Conference, 8th to 10th December 2024, held at Loughborough University
> Additional tickets for RIA Members (FULL) for The Running Conference 2024 #TRC24 are at £350 plus VAT at “Early Bird” booking rate and will raise to £450 plus VAT until capacity is reached for #TRC24, if any left available. This is based on 1 additional ticket per business then a waiting list for further tickets due to capacity limit at the venue and demand for The Running Conference 2024
> First option to renew your membership and membership level in 2025 for another 12 months at the 2024 price (if membership continues without a break)
RIA Member Option PART
> Option to take 12 month RIA Membership only at £600 + VAT which has no ticket or “guaranteed” ticket access to The Running Conference 2024
> First option to renew your membership and membership level in 2025 for another 12 months at the 2024 price (if membership continues without a break)
> You can upgrade at any time during your 12 month membership to add 1 x ticket to The Running Conference to your RIA Membership at £350 + VAT at Early Bird Rate or £450 + VAT after Early Bird finished, all depending upon availability
If you are not a RIA Member please visit the RIA Membership to apply today.
Any questions please email the RIA Membership Team.
Key dates for 2024 for RIA Members
MEMBER B2B IN-PERSON EVENTS
Running Industry Alliance (RIA)
CALENDAR OF ANNOUNCED EVENTS 2024 + 2025
Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) | Dedicated “Trail Running Area” in association RIA
18th to 20th June 2024 | Liverpool | Lead: Jonathan
RIA Member International Opportunity
European Running Business Conference (ERBC)
8th to 10th November 2024 | Athens | Lead: Rebecca
The Running Conference presented by haku (TRC24)
The Annual RIA Members Conference – RIA Event
8th to 10th December 2024 | Loughborough | Lead: Rebecca
RIA Member International Opportunity
Running USA Industry Conference presented by haku (RUSA)
2nd to 4th February 2025 | Louisville, Kentucky | Lead: Rebecca
The RIA Spring Gathering – RIA Event
23rd April 2025 | London | Lead: Rebecca
More to be announced for RIA Members
How to contact RIA & TRC Team
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.
About RIA
Welcome to Running Industry Alliance, a membership-based 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 various conversations.
- AWARENESS: Showcasing RIA Members news, partnerships, recruitment needs, sponsorship opportunities and awareness of RIA Member activity through RIA channels (B2B and B2C). 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 and energetic eco-system. 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. 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, like-minded and safe business 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 (December in Loughborough), 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 including The RIA Spring Gathering (April in London) and OTS Trade Show (June in Liverpool).
- 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 industry focus work.
Top-line focus areas for the Running Industry 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.
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 combined with education and shared learnings, propelling the running industry forward as a whole whilst adding value and creating new business opportunities.
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 to make is easy to answer any questions you may have about RIA (at the top of the page).
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.