Switchback Spring concluded at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, bringing together more than 300 retailers, 235 brands, and 40 qualified working media across three days and nearly 40,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The event opened with a full day of education for specialty retailers, anchored by the release of Outdoor Industry Association’s 2026 Participation Report. Key findings: outdoor recreation reached a record 183.2 million Americans in 2025, with participation up nearly 30 million since 2019.
“You can tell by the energy and the enthusiasm that the outdoor industry is clearly excited to be together here in New Orleans,” said Sean Smith, Switchback event director. “Business is being done, community is being strengthened, and some essential issues in the outdoor world are getting significant attention.”
Programming across the three days included more than 13 education sessions on topics ranging from leadership and hiring to supply chain and AI strategies, a screening and panel discussion of the short film Best Day Ever, and a featured presentation with adventure skier Griffin Post, Denise Anderson of The North Face, and Paul Hendricks of The Conservation Alliance on adventure, risk, and the shared responsibility to safeguard public lands and waters.
The next Switchback event takes place December 1–3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with The Running Event. For more information, visit switchbackevent.com.
About Switchback
Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry, owned and operated by Diversified, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Held at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback takes place each fall in conjunction with The Running Event (TRE) and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with robust education, peer connection, and business meetings, Switchback serves as a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates: Switchback at TRE (Dec. 1–3, 2026; San Antonio, TX). To learn more, visit switchbackevent.com.
